Today we received some quite encouraging news about my dad, all things considered! There still could be a long road ahead of us, but the prognosis seems to be much better than the other option that it could have been. Of course, whatever the outcome, we know Jesus will carry us. He has been carrying us in His arms in a supernatural way through people's prayers!

I am still doing pretty well, and encouraged in the Lord. Yesterday I got a little discouraged and stressed out, but then the Lord lifted my spirits through a really good message a guest speaker shared with us last night!

We had our "Tuesday night prayer" a day early, on Monday night. :-D Our guest speaker shared on Acts 20:24, the Apostle's declaration of, in essence, "None of these things move me." He was going to Jerusalem, full knowing he could be killed for his Christian faith. Yet he boldly declared that he did not count his life as dear to himself.

The speaker shared how life is like a gym ... the things that come our way or that we go through won't necessarily be easy ... there will be hard times ... but they are all profitable for our training and for our character and growth in Christ! Also, the course God has for each of us in all of this is His perfectly ordained course that He has orchestrated for us. It is a good course, even in those times when it may not emotionally feel like it. Each trial He brings our way is an expression of His perfect love for us ... and an extension of His desire to make us more like Jesus.

How encouraging, and how applicable to my family during this time! I was definitely refreshed through that message.

[On a totally different, somewhat random, yet applicable note, I went to Panda Express with my dear friend Shareen yesterday and was pleasantly surprised that they had a delicious new entry ... thai chicken. The company was nice, too - I think the Lord arranged us running into each other around lunchtime so we could fellowship together over lunch that day when I needed special encouragement, and it was also good to be able to spend some time together before she heads back home for a little while to raise support. The Lord is good.]

God continues to show Himself so faithful. I think of Romans 8:31 ... if we know Jesus, truly we have nothing to fear.

I just got back from lunch at Taco Bueno with KT, a good friend from work. I enjoyed out time together, sharing with one another how we've been encouraged through Bible studies and stories about the persecuted Church. I was telling her how I really am feeling the Lord prepared my mom and I for the news about my dad's health, with the stories we've been reading about the persecuted Church around the world! It really helps put things into perspective.

It honestly feels like the Lord has been totally carrying me in His arms, giving me peace and contentment ... and it seems, incredibly, He has been doing the same for my parents in the midst of this. I thank all of you who have been praying ... and please don't stop, because the Lord is using your prayers in a way that is out of this world.

The tests brought some news that was not the easiest ... and yet over and over again the Lord has proved Himself faithful to us in every circumstance.

I have been blessed and ministered to by my parents' example in all of this. Truly, their trust is in the LORD.

Please pray for us as the Lord leads. God is always so good to us. No matter what.

I am waiting to hear news about my daddy's health. Please, please pray. I know many of you are. I know no matter what, God is in control. His love for me is constant ... and not based on my circumstances. God is good.

I was able to get my groceries with no further run-ins with rain, and last night I made the first of my dishes, chicken fajita skillet. :o) I was very happy with how it turned out! (If anyone would like the recipe, let me know and I'd be happy to send it to you ... it's a bunch of fun and easy to make!)

Today during lunch, a group of us from the office ventured to Chick-fila for their Cow Appreciation Day. Because we courageously wore cow-patterned clothes and a cow mask, we received free combo meals! It was good fun. :o)

I'm looking forward to meeting up with a good friend from work tomorrow, to make pizza at her apartment and visit and pray for one another. It will be a nice way to start the weekend.

My writing projects are going well. I just finished a web story about a beggar who came to know Jesus, through an outreach of GFA Compassion Services, before being killed that very day in an auto accident. I'm so thankful she knew the Savior!

There are times lately that the "battle" (Ephesians 6) feels maybe particularly intense. But I am finding lately that I get so incredibly encouraged by stories from the mission field ... especially, lately, some stories of the underground church I've been reading in Hearts Afire, a book someone gave me published by Voice of the Martyrs.

Last night I had the opportunity to share, during prayer meeting, some stories that have especially touched my heart, from the work in Asia that we all get to part of here at GFA. An amazing thing happened ... It was my hope that people would be encouraged through these stories, as I have been, yet I also found that I was so encouraged myself through the time of getting to share. I guess, for one thing, sometimes it strengthens us and encourages us in our faith as believers, when we verbalize to others some of the ways the Lord has ministered to us at just the right moment. :-)

On a totally different and somewhat random note, I really looking forward to trying out these new recipes ...
1) Chicken fajita skillet
2) Chicken tortilla soup
3) Hawaian chicken

hmmmm ... which means I probably should get to the grocery store, now that the rain has cleared. :-) Maybe I can even get a nice walk in before I get my groceries!

So this is my 533rd post - what do you know! :-D

I have been pretty busy lately and not been able to post as often as I'd like. But things overall are relatively good, and God has been teaching me much. I am being reminded that HE is my security, my sufficiency ... something I know full well on an intellectual, objective level, but oh how it can be a challenge at times to remember on an everyday heart level. ;-) [I'm sure all of you reading this blog can relate!!!]

Yet I am learning so much from the Lord, and that's surely a good thing. I am often reminded that He is far more concerned with my character than my comfort. I am grateful, for in my natural flesh, I would be much more inclined to choose my comfort. :-) How grateful I am for a God who allows challenges and trials in my day-to-day life --things He uses to draw me closer to HIM, which is ultimately what I want most anyhow. Boy, oh boy, is HE good and faithful to me. :o) Praise the Lord.

Well, I am off to make a couple stops and run some errands, and work a bit on some writing projects. :o) It's a beautiful day outside!

Celebrate Freedom was muddy but definitely a good time! I ended up hanging out at the GFA booth a lot of the time, having a bunch of fun helping to give out free books. :-D Jules and I also went and enjoyed some of the concert for a few minutes - and visited a cool booth that had $5 Christian t-shirts. :o) She got one with the different names for Jesus, and I got a bright pink one with the verse about loving the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. (I wasn't even thinking about it at the time, but that's exactly what my Bible study is in the unit I'm starting! Pretty cool :o))

Tomorrow is all-night prayer at the office. I'm looking forward to that! At 1:01 a.m. I'll be sharing, too, about the Maldives. Beautiful place with gorgeous waters and coral reefs ... but the people need Jesus. I am so glad there is nothing HE can't do ... I was reading in my Bible study recently the verse in James about Elijah being a normal human being just like us, yet how powerfully the Lord used his prayers. When he prayed, it didn't rain for three years!!!

I marvel at the privilege to know and serve a God for whom nothing is impossible. And at His incredible patience with me, and His grace.

I'm going to Celebrate Freedom in about an hour! I'm looking forward to it ... ever since I moved here and heard about it I've always kind of wanted to go, and the Lord even worked out a way for me to ride with some friends from work who have free parking. :-D He is so good.

I've been continuing to learn so much and be encouraged through the Experiencing God Bible study, the Psalms and Proverbs, and some books I've been reading. I'm so grateful.

What's pretty exciting, too, about Celebrate Freedom is we're getting to have a GFA booth out there. I think this is the first year we've been able to do that! Well off I go ... hope I don't slip and slide too much in the mud out there (hee hee). :o)

It's been raining pretty much every day here! It's raining right now and I'm hoping for a good break so I can run out to the car ... since I don't have my umbrella with me. ;-D Tonight I'm going to a Bible study (the last one in a series on evangelism) and then probably making a stop or two.

I'm continuing to enjoy the stories from Voice of the Martyrs ... one I started last night, in Hearts Afire, is about a 13-year-old girl who courageously shared the Gospel in the cramped conditions of a refugee camp area. I can't wait to finish it.

I have been reading some books from Voice of the Martyrs. One of them is Extreme Devotion, which has daily devotionals with Scripture verses and stories about the persecuted Church.

One member of the underground Church, a Chinese pastor, had his bag all packed and ready to go when his meeting was interupted by anti-Christian forces. He had already been arrested numorous times and was prepared ... not only physically, but in his heart as well. He knew God's provision and care for him extended even into prison.

Stories like his really encourage, challenge and strengthen my faith. It's hard to even begin to imagine the suffering so many Christians in other countries endure daily ... yet the Lord has given them supernatural courage, joy, and trust in His provision in the midst of it. It's humbling, yet amazing at the same time ... what a cloud of witnesses, of whom the writer of Hebrews tells us, "the world was not worthy" (Hebrews 11).

Wow - has another week really gone by since I last posted? I am quite the negligent poster these days. Do I still have my devoted audience? :o)

Last weekend was a bit different than I had been planning in that it was not quite as productive as I'd hoped. Yet it felt like it was of the Lord in that He orchestrated a number of opportunities for me both to encourage and be encouraged.

I enjoyed meeting up with an old friend, walking with her, and praying and worshipping together at her apartment. And Michele and I very much enjoyed hanging out and fellowshipping on Saturday night, too! I thank the Lord for these great opportunities for fellowship ... and that He knows what I need so much more than I do. :o)

I can hardly believe it's the weekend again ... I am looking forward to a restful yet very productive one ... unless God ordains otherwise. :-D I do know that, weather permitting, I am hoping to play volleyball with others from the ministry. That will be fun!

Ever have one of those time periods in life where you just seem to do, well, silly things ... and feel, well, silly afterwards. And feel, well, like a pretty silly person at times, even though you don't really want to. :-D Well thankfully, God is faithful and patient with me and others and gives me good laughs in the meantime. :oP

And it will be a nice weekend. Don't have much planned so far, but looking forward to days filled with ...

Spending time with Jesus.

Catching up on laundry. (yes, I actually enjoy doing laundry ... strange, I know :o))
Getting in some good walks at the nature preserve.

Restocking fruits and vegetables in my serving size containers (much-needed!).

Just hanging out and relaxing.

Catching up on the phone with my mom and maybe a couple of good friends from back home.

Maybe some reading in a good Christian book, enjoying the sunny weather!

Possibly meeting up with some people for a little bit tomorrow.

Church and Sunday school.

I like weekends. And I like that God's mercies are new every morning.

Yesterday was a nice day.

Got caught up a lot on stuff around the apartment - cleaning, laundry, etc. Late afternoon, went to White Rock Lake with my friend D. We biked the nine miles around the lake, enjoyed the view, and got in some kind of cool conversations with people along the way. :o) Oh, she also introduced me to Raisin' Canes Chicken Fingers. Good stuff! :-D

Today I went to lunch with a group after church. In a little bit, a big group of us from the ministry playing volleyball. Yahoo!

I'm glad for friends ... and nice sunny days ... and biking and fellowship and volleyball. :-D And most of all for JESUS ... I mean, where would I be without Him?

Has the week really gone by this fast? WOW. It's been a good one. And I feel happy and encouraged in the Lord. We have all-night prayer tonight, and I'm looking forward to that! It will be nice to pray and fellowship with everyone. :-)

Tomorrow a friend and I may go biking at White Rock Lake - yahoo! Whatever the weekend holds, I am sure it will be a nice one ... I am looking forward to resting, spending some more time with the Lord, fellowship with others and catching up on stuff at home.

I think now I'm going to go take a walk at the nature preserve ... gorgeous weather! :-D

I'm back! I am glad I got to go on the retreat - It sure was a nice time of getting to fellowship with people!

A few highlights ...

A late night game of Encore with some other gals in our cabin area ;-D

A walk and time of prayer together with my good friend and former roommie D :)

Learning how to fish ... and even catching a perch :-) (with some help, of course!)

A great game of rainy weather volleyball, in which staff member DC took a heroic dive straight into a massive mud puddle! :o)

I am glad to be here at GFA. As I was sharing with someone the other day, it feels like the Lord has brought me through much in my almost five years here, but I have learned much in my walk with Him, on so many levels! I'm so glad He is always working on me.

Now I have tomorrow off - I hope to get quite a bit done, and the rest will be nice as well, after being gone all weekend and staying up a bit late last night with our Encore game. :-D

We're all going on a staff retreat - yay! :-) Hope the weather is nice. (as it rains outside my second-story cubicle window as I write this ;-D) Well, whether it rains or is sunny, God is good! (and we need the rain just as much as the sun!!!)

I'm riding down there with a good friend from work, and tomorrow night I'm one of the MC's for the talent show! Should be fun.

Ever have one of those weeks in which you feel like you could really use a special touch from the Lord? This week so far seems to be one of those ... a week of hardships in the battle.

But something kind of cool happened today that not only was helpful and encouraging to me, but also helped to take my focus off me and think more instead of how I can minister to and serve others.

And I was listening to some of a Piper sermon that is really good ... I would highly recommend it!

Here's a great quote from it ...

"I have never heard anybody say, “The deepest, rarest, choicest, most satisfying pleasures in life have come to me in extended seasons of ease and earthly comfort.” It’s always the opposite, like Samuel Rutherford who said, “I accept being put into the cellars of suffering, because the great King keeps His wine there.” Or like Charles Spurgeon who said, “Those who dive in the seas of affliction bring up the rarest pearls.” You do not try to maximize your earthly comforts if your life is going to have the deepest, rarest, most lasting pleasures. It's the cellars of suffering for righteousness and walking with God through the dark paths of faithfulness that in the end and often along the way bring the sweetest, deepest discoveries of who He is." - John Piper

Praise God! I think I may have gotten the touch I needed. ;-D

Is it really the weekend already? This week passed kind of quickly, too! Today some of us from my department went to Garcia Bros. (yum!) to share some of what we had learned at the EPA Convention a few weeks ago. :-D

I got some recipe booklets that a co-worker had UFG, and am looking forward to trying out some more new recipes. :o)I had some good time with the Lord yesterday ... how good it is to know Him!

Well, I do think I am going to walk home now (might I add, in this absolutely gorgeous weather) and officially start my weekend. :oD I look forward to it.

Wow, I had such a refreshing weekend!

It was a really nice mixture of rest, relaxation, times with friends, time with Jesus, meeting new friends, and being spiritually nourished through a church service and S.S. class.

On Friday, Steph and Michele and I had our C&B outing ... and I did end up finding a cute outfit that they both liked and even encouraged me to get. :-D (Good thing I had my 20% off coupon :=)

Saturday was a good mix of lots of cooking (chicken "stir fry" and fall harvest chowder), catching up around the apartment, watching a movie and talking to my mom on the phone.

Sunday was great ... good church service and Sunday school, and a good time of going to lunch afterwards at Dickey's Barbeque. It was especially fun because all of the women in our group were handed carnations at the cash register, in honor of Mother's Day.

I love flowers. :-D

Post #519.

Things go great here! I am just kind of in disbelief it's already Friday?! Because the week feels like it's gone by rather quickly.

Tonight I'm going with Steph and Michele to eat at La Madeline and then to one of our favorite shops, Christopher and Banks. :-D I am thoroughly looking forward to this time to catch up and hang out together. And there is supposed to be this big sale at C&B, and I have a 20% off coupon, too ...

I am excited about the weekend. I think tomorrow I will do some of the normal stuff like getting some good exercise, catching up a bunch around the apartment, etc. Who knows, I may even try out a new recipe. :o) I love to cook!

I want to spend some good time with the Lord, too.

This time I'm back for real - back in sunny Texas! Got back late Sunday evening. And things go well. A project came together that I was working on today and much of yesterday, so that was exciting!

Fun time zone story from the weekend ...

So there I was in Colorado on Sunday morning, and I knew we all needed to leave for church around 9:10. Well, it's maybe 8:30 or 8:40, and hardly a creature in the house seems to be stirring. Seeing one of my "roommates" dressed in her Sunday attire, I get up and get ready for church, too.

By the time we get downstairs, it's something like 9:04, and Mrs. H is in the kitchen starting french toast and bacon. Now I love breakfast, and I'm thinking, YUM. But there's one problem ... we have, like, six minutes before we have to leave!

Then I hear Mrs. H say something like, "Yeah, we're doing pretty well. It's 8:00 ..." I burst out laughing, tell her my story and how I was thinking "Mrs. H, that breakfast looks really nice but we have to leave in six minutes," and she bursts out laughing, too. :-D

[I had switched my watch to Colorado time, but not my cell phone, which had my alarm on it! ;-)]

I'm back. Well, not back back. But back to the world of bloggers. :o)))

I am at my friends' in Manitou, and I climbed up Red Mountain today ...

Boy, oh boy, there's nothing like climbing a mountain to make you realize how out of shape you are. Of course, I blame it on the high altitude and thin air, both of which I'm not used to.

But it sure is beautiful out here! If they decided to move our ministry out to gorgeous Colorado, I surely would not complain.:-D Of course, I truly thank God that I can be content ANYWHERE, mountains or not!!! I've been thinking on that subject since I've been out here in this beautiful place, and am so happy that in Jesus I can always be content, anywhere. Praise God.

Gotta go because I think I'm taking a quick walk before we all have supper together. It's been fun chatting with my friends and also a girl that I helped kind of settle in to her room over at the old hotel where the summer conference will be!

Well, see a bunch of you soon, since I'll be back tomorrow! :o)

God is good.

It is gorgeous, gorgeous weather. YAY! And next week at this time I will be in Colorado. Yippee! :-)

Several of us from work are getting to attend the EPA* Convention in Col. Springs, and then I will get to spend the weekend with some friends who live in that area. So looking forward to that! :-D

I have been enjoying working on an article about Goa for our next SEND!, and have been amazed and encouraged at how it's been coming together. The Lord has really been answering prayer! I asked others on staff to pray for me on Monday morning when I shared some things that had touched my heart about Goa - and I can really feel there prayers as the Lord has truly been bringing this article together in incredible ways.

It's also so encouraging to think of how, if He's answering prayer as I work on this article, how much more I can be encouraged that He must be bringing about incredible breakthroughs on the field, in the lives of these precious people. I am continually amazed at His power and His faithfulness.

By the way, did y'all know I sometimes see random flying objects whiz by my upstairs office window? Just thought I'd share that fun fact ... one time recently it was a plastic bag. :o) Fun stuff.

*for those who may be wondering, no, this does not stand for Environmental Protection Agency - at least not in this case. :-) Check out the link above to learn more!

Heather and Jess left this morning - I had a nice time with them!

A couple of fun facts from the weekend:
-went to 7 (I am not kidding!!! :-)) Half-Price bookstores in two days
-ate at two Panda Express's
(we went other places, too, besides just Half-Price bookstores and Panda Express! :o))

My friends really, really like Half-Price bookstores, so they wanted to go to as many as they could! And it worked out fine for me, too, because usually they had a table somewhere in the store where I could spread out my SEND! research and get some work done, and I could also visit with my friends, too, as they stopped by to look through books or have me watch their purse. :-)

Going to Panda Express the second time was really fun. My friends both like Panda Express, and it's something they don't have back home. Jess wanted to have her picture taken by the pictures of pandas that were on the wall, to give to her mom since she likes pandas. So she recruited Heather and I to help with picture-taking. :-) [Well, I tried to help, but I didn't know Heather's digital camera that well ... so she wisely figured it would be quicker if she took them. :o)]

It was so fun watching them walk around to the different spots to take pictures, especially when the nice guy at the counter who had served us earlier looked over and laughed good-naturedly, and a couple of high schooler boys who were watching them looked over at me and were like, "Um, have they not ever been to Panda Express?" :-D Needless to say, when Heather and Jess got back to the table from their picture-taking adventure, we all enjoyed some good laughs together!

I'm a bit tired from the weekend, but doing well, and so grateful for the good visit with my friends.

Sitting down yesterday to lunch at Chick-fila with a group of gals from the office, the song "Give Me Jesus" playing in the background, I thought of how appropriate it was as a good friend from my department shared how the Lord had worked in hers and her husband's hearts to lay aside their plans and hear His heart for them. I loved hearing her story of how God drew them to GFA - I hadn't gotten to hear it yet. :-)

Today two projects came together that I was hoping would get completed - I'm glad!

It is beautiful, warm and sunny outside! As soon as I finish blogging, I'm about to pack up my stuff and go take a walk in this great weather. :-D Then, at 6:00, I'm going to supper with my good friend Tee so we can catch up and pray together. Then I have some friends coming to see me from out of town ... they're arriving in the middle of the night because that works out best with when one of them gets off work. :-)

I went to the dentist for my routine cleaning today. They're always telling me I have great teeth. :-D It's kind of fun to hear that ... I mean, I know life is not all about having good teeth (it's really not! ;-) but it is kind of nice to not ever have to have dental work done or worry with that hassle and expense.

A bunch of us here at the ministry have little pages on Facebook, and it's kind of fun. There are also little "groups" that you can join if you'd like; today I decided to join a Dr. Seuss group since I enjoy occasionally collecting Dr. Seuss paraphanelia, like the fun jelly jars I found on Ebay.

Anyhow, today's funny quote for the day that I just had to share ...

IIsak...
Since the two of us are the only people in the group... why not make me an officer?

I laughed so hard when I read that! I thought it was too cute. [Incidentally, he did get to become an officer, and they both named themselves after Dr. Seuss characters. :-) My joining the group makes the current total
six ... and, nope, in case you're wondering, I'm not an officer. :-D]

I'm back in the office again! I tried to come back again on Thursday but my co-workers could tell I still needed more rest. :-) I slept much of the day on Friday, too, but did make it to supper at a friend's house (she fixed a delicious meal of tilapia and fruit!) and then to a couple of hours of all-night prayer, too!

On Saturday I was still pretty congested and tired, and didn't have much energy ... but thoroughly enjoyed volleyball with a bunch of friends from staff after a four-hour nap on Sunday. :-D

And now a good friend and I are going to supper and to catch up and pray together. That will be nice. I think we're going to Wendy's ... she was talking about their yummy salads earlier, and they're nice and close to the office. :c)

It was nice to be back in the office today after being home Monday and Tuesday with a head cold I developed over the weekend! It was good to see people again, and to be "back in the swing of things" after mostly having my couch, a box of tissues, and cold medicine as my constant companions these past few days. :o) [Well, and of course, Jesus, too, but He's always my companion, not just when I'm at home sick. :-)]

Anyhow, it's good to be back.

Today my sister and I took the kiddos and went to Wal-mart to get groceries and then did a little cooking and baking this afternoon, and we all had our cousin Rob over this evening for chicken pot pie.

It was good to see him again! Some of us watched Lady in the Water after supper. Looked like possibly a scary movie from the previews, but really not that scary ... just a few loud parts where this grassy-like creature suddenly jumps out at you. ;-D

And now my sister's watching me write in my blog and taking pictures of me ... not sure why ... I think she's trying out her camera. :-D It's good she made sure it's working so she can get pictures of the kiddos tomorrow in their Easter outfits!

We all have been having such a good visit! :c) Well, I'm sleepy now so I should get ready for bed soon, I s'pose. :0)As I think of it being Easter tomorrow, how wonderful it is to remember that Christ is RISEN.

I'm having a blast at my sister's!!!

When I first got here, we played at the park. I pushed my niece Elizabeth on the swings! Then my sister and nephews and niece and I all went to eat at Chuy's.

I got initiated into Cinnamon Stick Country when my brother-in-law got home. :-) He ordered them from Pizza Hut. He and my sister were teasing each other, because she didn't know if I would like them but he kept insisting I would, and I did. :c) Then my sister admitted she'd never tried them, and he insisted she try them, and she wasn't impressed. It was pretty funny.

After supper, my sister and I went to the mall. Then later, we three all had a great time chatting and joking around. :-D

It's Easter soon, and a three day weekend!

After work, I'm going walking with a co-worker, then packing so I can head out early tomorrow to go visit my sister in Austin for the weekend. I'm excited!!!

Happy Resurrection Sunday. :-D

Animal crackers or doggie treat biscuits? That is the question.

Okay, now that I've got your attention ... :-) An out-of-town friend of the ministry wanted to play an April Fools joke on my department coordinator, Lars ... so she enlisted my help! She was in town briefly last week and brought boxes of animal crackers for today's information department meeting.

The boxes had our names on them ... so in the one with my coordinator's name, she put doggie treat crackers! They looked like regular animal crackers, and tasted quite good to a number of us who tried them later, actually! [She told me last week that she had taste-tested them and mentioned that you really couldn't tell they weren't animal crackers :o)]

Lars ate probably four or five of them and was totally oblivious until I showed him the pet store receipt!!! And with the help of a couple of co-workers, we got the whole thing on video, too. :-D

We all think Lars was quite the good sport! He even packaged up the cracker box and the receipt so he could bring them to show his wife! Of course, he did remind me that he does my staff evalution (uh-oh) ... and it just so happens I have one coming up really soon. :)

Volleyball is one of my favorite outdoor games ... and I got to play for a while today!!! :) Afterwards, some of us headed over to J and C's apartment to hang out for a bit. We had fun watching last year's intern video and playing interactive video sports ... well, I didn't actually play ... I think it was more fun just watching the ones who actually did play. :o)

We also ate these super yummy pita chips from Costco. :=)

A group of us from staff went on outreach to a local flea market. It was kind of a neat time ... I think a lot of us were pleasantly surprised at how receptive people were to receiving tracts!

Some highlights from my time there ...

- Talking to Bonnie, a sweet lady who was waiting to clean the bathrooms. When I went back and handed her a Gospel tract, she smiled and said, "You made my day"! [Thank you, M and J, for encouraging me to go back :o)]

- When I handed the fake one million dollar bill tract to a Spanish guy maybe in his 40s or so, and he laughed and got really excited about it and his friend insisted on having one, too. :=)

- Giving out the optical illusion tract to a man by one of the booths and then watching as he tried it out on the two girls nearby. What was really cool about that is, I had originally wanted to approach the two girls but it looked like they were busy setting up their booth ... so it looks like the Lord used that man without His even knowing! [Isn't it cool that God's ways are so far beyond us and our limited human perspective? :o)]

- One young man at a booth chuckled good-naturedly after I walked away and was saying something to me. I was a little afraid of what he would say ... but I walked back over. :) Holding the Gospel tract I had just handed him, he shared that he's a Christian, too! That was a nice surprise, and we got to share with him about Gospel for Asia.

On the way home, our car of people stopped in at Cracker Barrel ... we all ordered off the kids menu, which was really fun! I had the chicken and dumplings, and some of the others had chicken tenderloins. And the waiter brought out these really yummy biscuits and butter ... need I say more?! Good times. :o)

Today was our Spring Cleaning day. Some of the people in our department were being pretty funny ... and our office manager came in with a cowboy hat and these humongous sunglasses. We joked that we should make sure not to schedule building tours for Spring Cleaning Day ... people may not know quite what to make of us silly people. :-D

In a bit, we're all going to have pizza downstairs (yum). I was so looking forward to volleyball, too, but looks like it may be too rainy for that. :( I'd still love to play, so we'll see ... maybe there will be a few of us brave souls out there to join me, since there are some folks out there playing basketball now. :)

Well, my friends, I close this workday and start this weekend with this song ... because it's so encouraging to remember this at the end of each day ... however I may be feeling or whatever each day may have held ... this is what it's all about.

Not to Us

The cross before me, the world behind.
No turning back
raise the banner high
It's not for me,
It's all for YOU.

Let the heavens shake and split the sky,
Let the people clap their hands and cry.
It's not for us,
It's all for YOU

CHORUS:
Not to us,
but to YOUR name be the glory.
Not to us,
but to YOUR name be the glory.

Our hearts unfold before YOUR throne,
the only place for those who know,
It's not for us,
It's all for YOU.

Send YOUR holy fire on this offering,
let our worship burn for the world to see.
It's not for us,
It's all for YOU.

The earth is shaking,
the mountains shouting,
It's all for YOU.
The waves are crashing;
The sun is raging;
It's all for YOU.

The universe is spinning and singing,
It's all for YOU.
YOUR children dancing,
dancing, dancing,
It's all for YOU,
It's all for YOU,
My all for YOU,
My all for YOU.

My shoulders have kinda been hurting lately and I was pretty tired last night. But I went to bed pretty early and got tons of rest, and that helped. :-) And today several projects I've been working on all came together - that was nice!

I am continually reminded in various circumstances to seek refuge in the Lord - that He is truly my strength and my sufficiency!

This Friday we're having Spring Cleaning at the office so we can all go through our files and drawers, then supper and VOLLEYBALL. :-D Sounds good to me!

So today, we writers all wore the same color (red) to surprise our department coordinator. We planned it out last week and everything, and he was supposed to discover it and be surprised at our 11:00 meeting, but he wandered over to our corner before then and quickly made the discovery on his own!! Oh well ... it was still great fun! :c)

As I write, it's raining quite hard, and it's kind of fun sitting up here in my second floor cubicle and listening to it come down! I was going to head out to my much-loved Barnes and Noble to work on some SEND!/web projects this evening, but I wasn't quite expecting this heavy downpour! I could always work on them at the apartment as long as I promise not to let myself get too comfortable so I won't get sleepy ... :-D Or better yet, just stay here to work on them so I won't have to brave the pouring rain! :o)

Stephanie and I biked 24 miles around the White Rock area today! We started at this park that is 7 miles from White Rock Lake, then went once around the lake and back. Then we went to McAlister's to grab a bite to eat. :-D We had a really nice time!

Now I'll probably rest around the apartment and get a few things done, too, before heading out to a ladies' game night. I have still been working on some Meghalaya SEND! web extras; I hope to finish those over the weekend! :-)

Some of us from my department spontaneously headed to Panda Express for lunch. That was really fun! It started with Shelly saying something like, "I'm in a Panda mood today". I assured her that I would gladly join her if she decided to go. She did! Then she invited another from our department, and they invited two others! :-D

So now I have leftover Kung Pao chicken ... and since I went down the hall just now to grab it from the break room refrigerator, my cubicle has the aroma of Chinese food at present. :-) It won't for long, though, 'cuz I'm 'bout to head out.

Last night I had the privilege of sharing a field story in a small group setting at our prayer meeting. I shared about a young woman who came to Christ through our film ministry when they showed a film on the life of Jesus in her village. She had never heard of Jesus, and was so happy to know Him! Her parents weren't so happy, though, and basically disowned her. Yet she is committed to serving Jesus faithfully, no matter the cost! She is now studying at a GFA Bible college, with a heart to reach those who have never heard the Gospel.

I thought about the incredible love this sister must have for her Savior ... I have been blessed to grow up in a Christian family and will probably never have to make the same kind of sacrifice that she is for her faith, yet I want to love Jesus just as much! He is wonderful, and I want to love Him more each moment. I want Him to be the first thought on my heart when I wake up each morning!

This day's been kind of flying by! After staff prayer this morning, I came upstairs and read stories that we would be going over in our information meeting. Then we had our meeting - we all had so many stories to go over, we just decided to meet in the Believers Cafe'. :-) So after our meeting, I had some great beef stirfry!

Going into the weekend I wasn't feeling all that well physically ... achy shoulders and kind of tired, etc. But the extra exercise I ended up getting helped me so much and really energized me! I spontaneously decided to go biking at White Rock Lake. I had been wanting to for a while, and a co-worker who lives across the street had showed me how to put my bike rack on, so I figured, "Sure, why not?!"

After asking my co-worker for directions, I ran upstairs to grab some stuff and my backpack, jumped back in my car, and off I went to White Rock Lake. I'm not usually quite that spontaneous (although I can be at times!) but I really seemed to have peace about my quick decision. :-D

The exit off the interstate was closed for construction and I ended up getting a bit lost, but the view when I got there was well worth the drive. [My co-worker and his wife ended up going over the weekend, too, but it sounds like they didn't get quite as lost ... I guess navigating just isn't my strong point ... hee hee. :o) I was glad they didn't get too lost, though.] I biked twice around the lake, so a total of 18 miles!

I was amazed how much more energized I was when I got home. I also biked with my friend Lindy over the weekend, at a trail near her house! That one was about 11 miles total.

Tonight I'm going to eat with my friend Michele from work, and to catch up and share prayer requests. I look forward to that.

Well, I better get back to work (hee hee) but just thought I'd write a quick update since it's been over a week! I hope everyone is doing well. Things are good here. It's so wonderful to know that I can trust God completely with things on my heart. He's truly so faithful and so good to His children! I am so glad to know Him.

I just got back from lunch and a walk around campus [or rather the office grounds? :oD] with a friend from work! We had some nice times of chatting and laughter, and I came back with some caffeine [notice I did not say whether Coke or Pepsi ... :-)]

Before I go, thought I'd share this great quote from a John Piper sermon I've been listening to online:

"If I lose any or all things, good or bad, I do not lose my joy, my hope, my treasure, my significance, my meaning ... because CHRIST is all."

Snapshots of my weekend ...

*Got laundry and other stuff done around the apartment

*Found a pretty dress at the Goodwill for $3.49

*Enjoyed relaxing around the apartment and cooking black bean soup and rosemary herbed chicken and vegetables to freeze

*Helped the T-Rex celebrate her birthday

*Went for an evening walk with a friend

*Walked for a while at the nature preserve

*Purchased a bike rack with a 20% off coupon ... slight complications but hopefully these will be worked out so Lindy and I can soon go biking at the trail near her house ;-)

*Slept in

The thing I remember most from the weekend was spontaneously going to eat at Subway and doing some journaling there ... the Lord really ministered to me in that time, reminding me His incredible love and His utter sufficiency.

So I finally took the "what kind of intelligence do you have" test that has been going around some at work. :-) I have linguistic intelligence ... according to the test. Here is the paragraph of results it gave me ...

Your Dominant Intelligence is Linguistic IntelligenceYou are excellent with words and language. You explain yourself well.An elegant speaker, you can converse well with anyone on the fly.You are also good at remembering information and convicing someone of your point of view.A master of creative phrasing and unique words, you enjoy expanding your vocabulary.
You would make a fantastic poet, journalist, writer, teacher, lawyer, politician, or translator.

Well, I do remember when I was homeschooled and in the 7th and 8th grades, I used to love learning new vocabulary words ... and one of my all-time favorite games is Balderdash. And of course I love to write and have filled up many journals. :-D But I don't feel like I'm particularly good at "convincing someone" of my "point of view", nor is that important to me either. ;-)

And ... eloquent speaker? I had to chuckle a bit. :-D I am kind of shy in front of large groups ... and even can be pretty shy at times in small group and one-on-one interactions [nobody ever seems to believe me, though ... heee heee :-)))

Well anyhow, it was a really fun test!!! [Thanks, K and E, for putting it on your blogs. :-)]

Oh, today I went to lunch with my friend J and tonight I'm hanging out with my friend D! Good times. And today's been a good day and I haven't been nearly as tired as yesterday, either. YAY!

Have a good weekend, you all.

I have been unusually sleepy at work today! I think it's mostly my own silly fault for not disciplining myself to go to bed earlier last night. :-) Despite my sleepiness and a few miscellaneous other challenges during the day, I still think the day has gone relatively well! I am still having some shoulder pain, and some discomfort in my lower back as well, but walks seem to really help it. [I'm looking forward to that in a few minutes!]

I am powerfully reminded on days like this of my incredible need to draw close to the Savior. How glad I am that I can always cling to Him for strength, and that my security is in Him. [At the same time, too, I do plan to discipline my sleepy self to get to bed much earlier tonight, and I have faith that by God's grace tomorrow will be better because of it. :-D]

Great weather. Staying pretty busy at work and enjoying the various projects I'm working on. :-) And the outdoors!

Random quote for the day ... one I find quite hilarious actually. :-D (Can you guess from which movie?)

"What - are you crazy?!! A guy in a really nice camper wants to play our music. Give me a pen! I'm signing -- you're signing -- we're all signing!"

On a different note (not as funny but definitely more meaningful and inspiring -hee hee!) I was reading in Isaiah 55 this morning ... some of my favorite verses from that Scripture passage ...

"Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare." (vs. 1-3)

It's been a good day!

Over the weekend I enjoyed walking at the nature preserve and catching up over the phone with my mom and good friend Heather ... and my 3-ish hour nap on Sunday afternoon. ;-)

There's this one song we've been singing some in prayer meeting; I hadn't heard of it before, but I really like it!

Well, I think I'm going to take a really quick walk while there's still some daylight. :o)

I just got back from lunch with my friend Shareen at Panda Express.
Yum. :-) And fun, too. I keep wanting to call it Panda Haven, because that was the name of this great Chinese take-out place in my college town. I loved going there after class sometimes and getting chicken lo mein.

The first part of this week was pretty rough but overall I'm doing so much better and am really encouraged. The messages the special speaker shared with our staff were powerful and thought-provoking ... He talked about not shrinking back from or resisting "the sword" ... in other words, the hard things in our lives that are used to break us and draw us closer to the Father. He encouraged us to see these things as a privilege ... a chance to take up our cross for Jesus. His messages were incredibly challenging ... and yet in a number of ways encouraging, too, at the same time.

I'm looking forward to our staff time of all-night prayer this Friday! Of course, I may need some caffeine before the night is over since I'm on clean-up crew for afterwards. :-) (hee hee) I'm also sharing requests for our work in Bangladesh ... not sure yet what time in the evening (or morning???:o)).

Sally, Terri and I had fun on our outing, and the moving party was fun and the weather was great! Yesterday was neat, too ... after church, I met up with my good friend Lindy who just moved back in town. She is a really strong Christian, and I'm so excited she's back in town; we both love the outdoors and want to become biking buddies. :-) She was telling me about this great trail near her house that runs by a creek and is really pretty. Yesterday we caught up over lunch and then went walking at the nature preserve.

I am learning much about trusting the Lord in all circumstances, even when I don't completely understand what is going on. I am so thankful that my joy is not dependent on what's going on around me ... it feels like the Lord has been impressing that on my heart on so many levels. It's a painful lesson to learn at times but yet ultimately a good and valuable one. I'm so glad Jesus can be trusted always.

Okay, I'm heading downstairs now because we all on staff are having a pizza supper, a time of worship and then special speaker we really enjoy, and I'm hoping to take a quick walk, too. :-)

As this Friday at work comes to a close and I look back on the week, it's been full but a good one, filled with nice weather, good walks, productive days, good times with friends and most of all much encouragement in the Lord in all kinds of circumstances. :-) I am finding that I've been feeling so refreshed lately as the Lord been ministering to me in a special way in my times with Him. I am so happy for how He's refreshed and encouraged my heart.

Tonight I am meeting up with two other gals I work with, Sally and Terri, and going to the Asian supermarket right down the road and to a couple of other places in the vicinity. That should be fun! Tomorrow are two moving parties for friends on staff. I like moving parties ... I just hope the weather's nice. :-)

Another day of great weather.

Tomorrow during morning prayer I'm getting to share in my circle about Bangladesh. The Lord has given me a special heart for Muslims, so it's neat that I'm getting to share about Bangladesh.

I decided to make little prayer request sheets for people, and the Lord gave me a neat idea of something I could do with them! I just finished those so now I'm starting my trek home while there's still daylight. :-) Oh yeah, and I need to go return those markers to Kids Korner (I got to do some arts and crafts this afternoon - great fun! :o))

Please pray for comfort and encouragement for Maddie and her family ... her grandmother passed away during the night. I know that one of the things that really encouraged me and gave me hope when my grandmother passed away in July was knowing that the Lord could have worked in her heart even in those final hours.

It's been another nice day outside, and I'm fixing to walk home and then to Maddie's, because she's invited me to her place for spaghetti and fellowship. Then we'll all head to Tuesday night prayer. :-)

Hurray ...

for beautiful, sunny Texas weather. :-) I enjoyed walking in to work in it, and look forward to walking home in a few minutes, too!

Hope everyone had a refreshing weekend.

P.S. Please pray for my friend Maddie's grandmother to know Jesus! (see more on her comment on previous day's entry) Praise God that He is able to do "exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think" (Eph 3:20)!

The other night I went and hung out with some cute children (staff family) while their parents went out. I'm so glad that worked out ... I had a great time with the kiddos, and I think the parents were really happy to get to go out!

The kiddos were so excited about teaching me all the games they learned at their little Valentine's Day party. :-) After supper, we moved all the dining room chairs out to the living room so we could play. One of the games I'd played before, where you all sit in a circle and people are different fruits. Then, the fruits the person in the middle calls out have to get up and move around, then one person is left without a chair. At one point they decided on honey dew and watermelon. Well once I mistakenly said "waterbellon" instead of "watermelon" - and of course we all started laughing uncontrollably. I told their dad not to be surprised if they go around saying "waterbellon" from now on. :-D

Well now my brain is getting sleepy (hee hee) so I should probably head home before I start making up all kinds of silly words on accident. :-) It's been a pretty good day . . . during most of it I was pretty absorbed in a project - thank-you's to ministry supporters for this coming month. It went well, and I was able to finish them. Those are one of my favorite projects to work on, yet most of the other writers don't enjoy working on them all that much, so my coordinator usually assigns them to me now. So it works out great for everybody. :o) I love how that worked out!

Have a blessed weekend, my fellow bloggers and blogreaders!

Last night I had the opportunity to join some others for a "mini postcard party" where we wrote notes to ministry supporters and then enjoyed some fellowship at Cici's Pizza afterwards. A tally of all the postcards written showed that 250 ministry supporters will be encouraged ... which is great ...

And something really cool for me personally is that going into the postcard party I was a little worn out from a pretty challenging day, but by the end of our time I felt rather invigorated and refreshed. :-) Cool how God does that!

This afternoon I enjoyed working on a number of projects, and it made the day fly by, too! Now I'm going home for just a bit before prayer meeting this evening. Listening to worship practice downstairs as they sing one of the songs for this evening, a favorite of mine :-) , I thank the Lord for giving me joy in this day ... and that He is my strength who can always be trusted and is worthy of all glory and praise.

Somehow it's been a rough day. I know we all have those days!!! I haven't had a chance to spend time with the Lord yet today, and I'm sure that will help!!

Sally, one of my good friends that I work with, invited me to hang out with her for lunch and that was nice. We went to one of our favorites, McAlister's Deli. :o) And then she showed me some stuff in Publisher for my next newsletter - YAY! (I've been wanting to use Publisher, but just couldn't quite get the columns to line up for me since I wasn't familiar with the program ...)

P.S. And, DG, thank you bunches for your smiles, hugs, prayers and Reese's PB cup. :o)

God is good and He is always faithful! How happy I am for that.

Okay, so I am seriously loving this weather. :-) Hard to believe last week at this time, some of us were playing in the snow?! Don't get me wrong, I totally like the snow too ... My motto is always that, "If it's gonna get cold, it might as well snow." :-) Snow is beautiful and something I never got to see much growing up. But my ideal weather? Without a question this week's.

[I vote we all grab our stuff from our desks and work on it outside for the rest of this week? Oh wait ... I guess that would mean a bunch of us would need to get or borrow laptop computers ... does complicate matters a bit, I s'pose. :-D]

Today's adventurous moment ...

trying some hot roasted squid jerky that a coworker brought in. ;c)

God has been so faithful. I can't deny, parts of this week were surely hard, especially more toward the beginning of the week. But look at all that He did this week!

*Really encouraged me through my times with Him, and met me at my point of need
*Gave me the strength and discipline for things I sensed Him putting on my heart
*Provided beautiful snow outside ... and the hawk that I love to see outside my window at work :-)
*And other nice things, too!

I'm heading out soon, and looking forward to extended prayer and fellowship tonight with my dear friends here. :-)

The spiritual attacks this week have felt especially heavy. It's been a challenging week for my parents as well! It seems like these attacks almost increase exponentially with how much I seek the Lord in the midst of them! I'm not about to stop ... I'm so grateful for every moment spent in His presence and He has been giving me joy as I spend that time with Him. I just need to keep holding on to Him. And He is doing wonderful things for the furtherance of His kingdom around the world ... Praise God that we can be a small part of this. :-)

A song that's really encouraged me ...

O Love that Wilt Not Let Me Go
O Love that wilt not let me go,I rest my weary soul in thee;I give thee back the life I owe,That in thine ocean depths its flowMay richer, fuller be.

O light that followest all my way,I yield my flickering torch to thee;My heart restores its borrowed ray,That in thy sunshine’s blaze its dayMay brighter, fairer be.

O Joy that seekest me through pain,I cannot close my heart to thee;I trace the rainbow through the rain,And feel the promise is not vain,That morn shall tearless be.

O Cross that liftest up my head,I dare not ask to fly from thee;I lay in dust life’s glory dead,And from the ground there blossoms redLife that shall endless be.

George Matheson, 1882.

Hungry (Falling On My Knees)

Hungry, I come to You for I know You satisfy.
I am empty, but I know Your love does not run dry.

And so I wait for You so I wait for You.

I'm falling on my knees,
Offering all of me.

Jesus, You're all this heart is living for.

Broken, I run to You for Your arms are open wide I am weary, but I know Your touch restores my life.

And so I wait for You so I wait for You.

I'm falling on my knees,
Offering all of me.

Jesus, You're all this heart is living for.

Kathryn Scott - © 1999

Well, it has surely turned out to be a busy weekend! Not that I did that on purpose; just kind of turned out that way. But it's been so nice and refreshing ... and relatively productive, too!

Friday:
I was invited to dinner at the home of the same couple whose teenage son's basketball game I watched on Thursday. They invited some others on staff as well, and also there was one of our interns, who arrived here maybe a few weeks ago and has been staying with them this past week. It was a restful and enjoyable evening with everyone!

Saturday:
Went to the bank, did a little shopping, laundry, did some catching up on other stuff around the apartment, nice long walk at the nature
preserve. :-)
Then at 5:00, I met up with several other gals on staff at the Olive Garden to celebrate another friend's birthday. We had a great time!
And as Barnes and Noble was conveniently located closeby, I headed there afterwards and was able to make some good progress on web stories and a SEND! article. :-)

Sunday:
My friend Michele and I had lunch together and caught up. I was especially looking forward to this since she just arrived back a few days ago from the staff tour to India! It was so good to see her again.

And now? I am planning to do some more walking, do a few more chores around the apartment like vaccuuming, etc., and maybe work a little more on articles. And rest a bit, too!

It's been such a good weekend. Another highlight was hearing another one of my favorite songs come on the radio, one that talks about the all-surpassing joy of the Lord. Isn't is great that as Christians, because our ultimate security is in Christ, we can choose to have that joy in all of life's circumstances? To use a word that I don't tend to use very often in everyday conversation, Hallelujah! :-)

Tonight I enjoyed watching the basketball game of a 14-year-old son of a couple I'm good friends with on staff. The parents sitting by us in the bleachers were talkative and friendly even though I don't know any of them, and that was fun!

And me? I am still going through some "mini trials" (I don't know that I could really call them full-blown trials! ;0)), but the Lord has really been giving me the reassurance of His love, and I know that these things can bear much fruit in my life!

Oh ... funny story from today.

So, today I was on the phone, twice, about a memory card I'd ordered last night, working to get the transaction through since it didn't go through the first time. Well, as I was on hold the second time I called, I was also proofing a web story for a co-worker. Since I wanted to get it to her soon for deadline, I put the phone down and walked over to put it on her desk.

I was grinning and telling two of our other co-workers that I was on hold and wouldn't be at my desk to respond if one of the customer service representatives happened to pick up. Course, I kind of figured I had plenty of time, since I was on hold a while the first time. When I got back to my desk I could tell someone had already picked up and I was no longer on hold!

Me: "Oh! Hello?!"

Customer service rep: Proceeds to greet me and ask how he could help me.

Not really sure when he picked up, but of course my co-workers started laughing about the whole thing and so it was really hard for me to keep from laughing, too, as I explained about my order. I must say, I managed to do pretty well though! I had actually thought about putting him on speaker phone while I was away, so at least I'd know if he picked up. :o)

I've been going through a few hard times lately and was encouraged today when a friend on staff shared with me how it is often when we are in the thick of the battle that we are attacked the most. That really helped to encourage me and give me perspective on what is going on, and reminded me that God is always faithful!

In a little bit I am picking up Jacy, another friend on staff, at her apartment, and we will enjoy supper together at Wendy's before heading back here for our staff worship and prayer meeting. :-) We're both looking forward to that ... and I wouldn't be surprised if our conversation involves fun memories from our trip together a few years back to see the field in India. :-) [Today another staff group just returned from their trip to India, and I can't WAIT to hear their stories of how they were impacted there.]

P.S. One of the songs we'll be singing during worship tonight is Blessed Be Your Name - one of my favorites!

Today I ate lunch at McDonald's with a friend on staff. It was nice sitting and chatting with her over a hamburger and french fries (me) and a side salad and some chicken nuggets (her), watching her kids laughing and peeking at us from various points above us on the Playland. (Were the playgrounds at McD's that high tech and fancy when I was a kid? :o) I mean, there were these really cool lights up there and EVERYTHING.)

Yesterday I received a very good report about my daddy! When he had a massive heart attack a year ago, his doctor seemed to believe that permanent heart damage would be inevitable. He was concerned, too, that the damage could be pretty extensive. Well, it had really been on my heart to pray that he wouldn't have any permanent damage to his heart ... even though I knew that from a human or medical standpoint, it didn't seem possible - It would take a miracle, something only the Lord could do! Well, yesterday around 4:30 my mom called to report that my dad's follow-up scan showed his heart to be normal, and the doctor said there is NO damage to his heart! Praise the Lord! I am so encouraged and reminded that there is nothing HE can't do.

As I get ready to go home and eat some leftover chicken stirfry before coming back to the office for our bi-monthly ladies' fellowship, I am incredibly grateful for friends. And food. And good reports about my daddy. :o)

Brrrr ... it's a little chilly out there! But at least it's not windy, so it doesn't feel at all unbearable!

I had a fun surprise this weekend - my friend and her husband, from back on the Coast, ended up deciding to come out this way, and yesterday afternoon they got in touch with me and asked if I'd like to go have supper with them. It was good to catch up a bit! (I just felt a little bad for them 'cuz they ended up having to go ahead and start driving back to the Coast right after we ate last night, as it looked like ice was coming soon! And they had just driven in to this area this morning sometime ...)

This afternoon I've been listening to my Mercy Me CD (the one I won at a Rangers game :o)) and reading back over some of my journal entries of what the Lord has been doing in my life and showing me at various times. It's been enjoyable and refreshing! And challenging at times, too!

Another good day. And another nice time with a friend over lunch. Thanks, Katie!

It's raining really hard out there, and I hear there is chance of ice this weekend. Hmmm ... I will probably be staying inside most of the weekend, where it's comfy, warm, and ice-free. ;-)

I may make some chicken stir fry this weekend to eat next week and freeze, too. Cooking is so much fun! (I just found this great chicken stir fry recipe that looks really easy and doesn't require many ingredients if anyone is interested! I've never heard of "Yoshida's gourmet sauce" though so I'll probably use something just a bit more simple and down to earth like soy sauce. :o))

It will also be a good time to read and catch up on stuff at the apartment. Looking forward to it. :o) Have a great weekend, everyone ... and try to stay warm!

Today's been such a good day!

I enjoyed going to lunch at Panda Express with a friend. :o) She jabbered me probably around 9ish this morning to see if I'd like to do lunch and I was like, "Sure!" What's really fun, too, is that I get to do lunch with her sister tomorrow! Good times.

Oh, and I've been continuing to get to help out a bit in our gift entry department and have been enjoying it so much! Today I got to open mail and check postmarks on envelopes, etc. It's really been a privilege and joy getting to help out in there. :0)

I am continuing to enjoy good times with the Lord.

I think I shall head out pretty soon here so I can make it to Colony Resale before they close, as I have a credit to use there. :o)

I did end up being sick a little bit last week. But it didn't last long, thankfully! :-) I really thank God, because that's usually not the case ... I don't get a cold that often anymore, but when I do, it often still hits me pretty hard. So I'm so glad this one was much, much shorter! The hardest part was having trouble sleeping (because it's always hard to sleep when you have a cold!).

Yesterday evening I had fun cooking in my apartment! I made pork tenderloin with herbed potatoes and also did salsa chicken soup in the crockpot. I had a great time, and the food will last me a while, too. :o) I also got in a couple of nice walks at the nature preserve over the weekend.

During part of my lunch break today I was blessed with some good time with the Lord, singing and praying and journaling. I am so grateful for His constant presence in my life, and that I can always lean on Him and find rest in that presence!

I was really encouraged by these Scriptures, as well as others:

"God Most High is my salvation and my honor" (Psalm 62:7)

"Whom have I in heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever" (Psalm 73:25,26)

As 2007 continues to unfold, my prayer and deep desire is that my life bring Him glory and be used in the proclamation of His wonderful name.

My New Year's was nice. I found myself full of excitement and gratitude to the Lord over what He has been doing in my heart and life over this past year and what He is continuing to do! Truly I've been filled with a mixture of joy, expectancy, patience and hope concerning what He will do in the year 2007. :o)

And I spent New Year's Eve with my GFA family, at a New Year's Eve fellowship, prayer and thanksgiving service held at the office. I honestly can't think of a better way I could have spent this New Year's Eve; I would have to say it was one of my most memorable ones. I am so grateful to be here and for all the wonderful people the Lord has brought into my life here.

Earlier this afternoon my shoulders were hurting quite a bit but after a quick nap they were doing considerably better. My throat has also been hurting today ... although I'm thinking it could just be allergies? I guess I'll know tomorrow. ;) Hopefully it's just allergies!

Christmas dinner with my parents was nice. We had roasted herb chicken, asparagus, cranberry sauce, lima beans, and more. :o) And later that day, we got to go over and see my cousins!

One of my cousins had his dogs with him. It was pretty funny, because I was petting one of the dogs and all of a sudden, it just climbed up on my lap! And this was no small dog, let me tell you! :o)

I drove back on Tuesday ... 11 hours! I enjoy roadtrips, though! I was especially excited becuase I was able to find a route where I didn't have to take 635. Yay! [I have no problems with 635 on a Saturday morning, but on a weekday the traffic can be pretty heavy ... especially if you're not used to big-city driving. ;c)] And it took me through some pretty countryside, too, so that was nice!

I even made it back in time for Tuesday night prayer. It was so good to see everyone again! I am so grateful for both my wonderful family back home (and my sister and her family a few hours away in Texas!) and the wonderful extended family the Lord has blessed me with here. :o) It's been really nice to be back in the office, too.

Yesterday I found out I would be working for a while in our gift entry department, along with another writer! [They always seem to be busy, and have been especially busy with it being the end of the year ... their busiest time, I think!] It's a privilege getting to help out in this department, and there are always so many neat things to do in there. I couldn't believe how quickly this day went by!

It's exciting, too, to get a glimpse into the hearts of our sponsors and donors - we've been blessed with so many great people whose hearts the Lord has touched to give to and pray for our ministry.

I had the opportunity to worship at my parent's church this morning. A special part of the service was seeing a 74-year-old woman get baptized and join the church. What was incredibly exciting to me is that she came to know Christ through some of the Hurricane Katrina outreach. It was such a great moment, watching her up there with her "family", this really neat married couple who basically adopted her. Through the love they showed her as relief team workers fixed her home, she came to faith in Christ!

I could see this married couple just beaming as they stood up there with this precious woman as she eagerly affirmed her faith in Jesus and agreed to support the work of the Lord's church. I am truly touched by this couple, as they have come here from South Carolina to live among the people of the Gulf Coast and reach out to them. They are retired and are giving of their time to do this. And I can tell they really love the people here!

Their lives are such wonderful examples to me. And time and time again, the Hurricane Katrina outreach has reminded me in so many ways of the outreach of GFA's missionaries among tsunami survivors. I always love seeing and hearing about the Lord's work around the globe ... both on the other side of the world where so many long to hear the name of Jesus, and here in my hometown.

As I sit here typing this story on Christmas Eve, I can't help but think how fitting this all is ... how encouraged I am to be reminded of the Lord's work through His Church around the world, even as we celebrate Jesus' birth. Praise God.

We didn't get to have our cousin over yesterday for supper after all, for my mom woke up in the morning with a stomach virus. :o( Poor thing! But thankfully, the virus only lasted her yesterday and she felt all better by this morning. So she wasn't feeling badly for very long ... and we got to have our cousin over for chicken pot pie tonight.

And last night I did still get to visit with my cousin and watch The Santa Clause II, which was a cute movie and quite clean, too!

My dad and I went earlier today to visit some dear friends and supporters of mine who now live out on a farm. We also got to meet their daughter and young grandson! And then tonight when our cousin came over, we had our chicken pot pie (yum!!!) and exchanged Christmas gifts. We had a nice time.

Oh, and we also watched A Christmas Carol. There was this one part toward the end that my mom and I got the biggest kick out of ... "Scrooge", played by Patrick Stewart from Star Trek, is at a church singing, but he totally doesn't know the words of the song. So this kind gentleman sitting next to him leans over and lets him share his songbook. Well, after just one really quick glance down at the songbook, "Scrooge" suddenly seems to know all the words of the song and is looking up, grinning, and totally singing along. It was too funny! We got the biggest laugh out of that. :o)

Our lunch (my mom and I) yesterday with a couple of ladies from church went well.

The weather here today has been rainy and rather dreary looking! But I did get out for a little bit this afternoon, and ended up at Subway enjoying one of their double chocolate chip cookies and doing some journaling!

Tomorrow evening we're having our neighbor and cousin Mike over, for a meal and fellowship. (We'll also be exchanging Christmas gifts) I look forward to the time we'll have with him. And my mom and I are making chicken pot pie - one of my and my cousin's favorites!

Today I made chicken stirfry!

Also my parents and I took a walk around the neighborhood, late in the afternoon. They went back to the house but I extended my walk a little longer, going around some of the new neighborhoods that are in the process of being built - and spending time with God.

Tomorrow I am getting to spend time with some friends, going to Hattiesburg.

Post #464.

Full day. Left my parent's house around 9:20 for the church service of my college church in Mobile. Had the opportunity to share briefly during the church service.

Afterwards, one of the couples did invite me to lunch with them. :o) We went to Longhorn Steakhouse, and there was a 15-year-old boy who joined us as well, who is very interested in missions. (Of course he was full of questions and I was glad to answer them! :o)) So that was neat!

Then I left a voicemail with Barbie and Harry since we had arranged for me to call and visit sometime after lunch. While I was waiting to hear back from them with directions, I returned a call from a good friend from my hometown. It turns out she and another friend of ours had decided to make the hour trip to Mobile today too! So I briefly met up with them at Target (their last stop in Mobile), which was kind of cool since it was my first time to see them since coming home this trip.

After being with them for about 15 minutes maybe, I heard back from Barbie and Henry and drove the 7 or 8 minutes from Target to their apartment. We had a really nice visit, and I got some good pictures of them, too! Barbie was so cute - she was going about moving trash cans, etc. out of the way so they wouldn't be in the picture. :o) Her husband was teasing her about that.

Barbie faithfully prays for me (and financially supports me), and she was sharing how she is on a list where she receives these prayer requests regularly for the president and issues he faces as he runs our country. I have a feeling she is quite the prayer warrior! She also helps keep children on a regular basis for the church's ESL outreach, and I'm sure she reaches out to people in other ways as well.

What an inspiration she is to me - I hope I'm still that active in prayer and serving the Lord when I'm 77. :-)

My road trip back to the Coast went well. The first 50 miles were overcast and foggy for my drive, but then the sun came out and gradually the pretty blue skies came. :c)The drive was a refreshing time, and somehow the Lord used it to remind me in wonderful ways that He can totally be trusted with those things that are on my heart - that HE will work them all out. Praise God!

Oh, get this! As I was leaving my apartment around 7:30 this a.m., I got to meet my downstairs neighbor. She and I started chatting, and she was really excited when I mentioned I worked for a missions organization. It turns out she's a Christian! We ended up having a really good chat for a number of minutes, and then chuckled about the fact that we both really needed to get going (turns out she was also heading out at the same time, to see her daughter in Atlanta for Christmas!) ... and decided we should definitely hang out when we get back in town!

It was so good to meet her, and I would love to see if she'd like to join me for Tuesday night prayer meeting sometime soon!

Tomorrow morning I head over to my college church to see them all and visit with dear friends and supporters. I look forward to seeing again all the wonderful couples and families there who "adopted" me when I went there during my college years; they're so special to me. Often one of the couples will ask me to lunch when I'm in town (that's fun!); I do know for sure that after church I will be heading out to Barbie's and Harry's apartment to spend some extra time with them. :o)

Well I'm getting a bit sleepy and still need to get ready for bed. ;c)

What a wonderful day it has been, for the Lord continues to fill my heart with such joy! As soon as I do a little more work on a project, I will probably head out to go run an errand and then come back pretty soon to my apartment to get stuff done around there, such as more packing.

It is looking like it will be nice weather for my road trip back home on Saturday. I'm so glad.

All I can say is ... Wow. There is such joy in the Lord, in being in His presence. There is nothing like it. And this joy transcends all circumstances and human logic. How wonderful. Truly the JOY of the Lord is my strength.

I am working on getting projects done before I go home Saturday for the Christmas holiday. And overall, that is going well. There are still some things that need to come together. Tonight I may be able to work some more on things ... I also want to spend some more time with the Lord, continuing to seek His heart for what He would have me share tomorrow during staff prayer (for field prayer requests). And I need to go to The Colony Resale to use a "kind of expired" credit. :o) (They are nice and give me much grace with that, although I generally try not to take advantage of that! Thankfully this is only a few days over. They are so nice, and they probably know I'm a good customer, too. :o))

I hope you all are doing well, encouraged and strengthened in His joy.

The Charlie Brown Christmas play was nice. There's always been something about the Christmas season for me ... well, it's definitely incredible most of all because of the Savior's birth. There's also something else I've always liked about the season and don't even know that I could put it into words. It's always been a special time for me ...

Catching up with my good friend from work yesterday was nice, too - we both had a good laugh because 15 minutes before our time to meet for lunch, we both ended up (independently of each other, of course!) in one of our favorite stores - Christopher & Banks. :o)

The week will be a busy one, working on getting all my projects completed by Friday since I travel back to the Gulf Coast this weekend for the Christmas holidays. Add to that our staff Christmas party, packing, getting together gifts for friends back home, and some other things on my heart as well, and you have a small glimpse into my life at this moment. ;-)

I find myself lately really leaning on the Lord and finding much rest in Him, and encouragement and peace. I am very grateful for that. There is nothing like being in His presence.

So it's the weekend! I think it will be a nice one. Tomorrow night I'm going to supper at the home of a dear family on staff, and then a couple of us young people (my friend Dorie and Ruthie, who just recently arrived on staff) are taking their children to a Charlie Brown Christmas production. :o) We'll also be meeting up with others from the office, and probably going to a family's house afterwards for more fun and fellowship. [Of course we'll take the kids home first if that's past their bedtimes. ;-)]

Then Sunday I will be in the church nursery and then after church am meeting up with my friend Michele for lunch. We've been wanting to hang out and fellowship again for a while!

So I think it will be a nice weekend.

Lately in my life I have been seeking the Lord about some things and crying out to Him. I have often lately been able to spend some time in the Lord during the first part of my lunch break, and I just wanted to share some things to show how He really encouraged and ministered to me today through this time together ...

* From a song we sing in prayer meeting:
Holy Fire, burn away my desire for anything that is not of you, but is of me;
I want more of You, and less of me.
Empty me; empty me.
Fill me. With you, with you, with you.

* From Philippians 3:8:
"...I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord ..."

*From another song we sing in prayer meeting:
It's all about You, Jesus.
It's all about you, for Your glory and Your fame.
It's not about me, as if You should do things my way.
You alone are God, and I surrender.

*From Philippians 2:10:
"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Wow! This is what it's all about. It's so refreshing to be reminded of that.

*One of the requests for myself in my prayer notebook is that I would be broken and have the heart of a servant. I felt renewed and refreshed as I prayed this today. And I thought to myself, My deepest longing is to know HIM more and to find ultimate and deep contentment in the sunshine of HIS face.

The things I have been crying out to the Lord about are still not "out of the picture", and I have been going through some confusing and at times painful things, but I can't begin to tell you just how encouraged and refreshed I was through this special time with Him.

Even when it's hard, my heart is to continue to seek to find my sufficiency in Him, and have His steadfast joy and contentment in all things.

This is my 457th post. [No, I haven't been counting them ... the blogger program automatically tells you how many posts you've made. :o)]

It is so nice outside ... I am just debating whether to brave the cold [not too bad, but a little chilly!] and take my walk at the nature preserve! I think I'll be okay if I bundle up ... don't you? :c)

Yesterday was nice. I spend most of it with a friend from work ... after waking up at 11:00 after all-night prayer. :o)

Two things I came away with from church and Sunday school this morning ... they're both things I knew already, but it's always so good to be reminded:

1) Finding our full significance and security in Christ frees us to truly love other people. It's always great to be reminded of Christ's utter sufficiency, and I long to keep my eyes fixed always on Him.

2) Incredibly, if we have received God's free gift of salvation in Christ, when He looks at us, He doesn't see our sinfulness but His Son's righteousness. Even though we are sinners in desperate need of His grace (and still in need of His grace and working in our lives so we can be transformed to be more like Jesus), He loves us with the same love He has for His perfect, beloved Son. Amazing.

Four years.

I have been here on staff at GFA for four years. I had a nice time out at Chili's this evening, hanging out with my former roommies and reflecting a bit on the last four years. Oh yeah, and we were also celebrating Dee's birthday. :o) I enjoyed my hamburger, and the time of fellowship with two very dear friends.

It's an incredible, out-of-this-world privilege to be here serving to reach the lost, definitely one I am utterly undeserving of but am so incredibly grateful to God for. I am continually amazed at an indescribable God who is both so patient and merciful to me in my weaknesses and shortcomings but also orchestrates events in my life for my growth in Him. Wow.

Some of the lessons I have been learning over these past four years ... [and am continuing to learn in a variety of ways ... lifetime process, I'm sure? :o)]

God is far more concerned with our character than our comfort. [I was reminded of this at a Calvary Chapel retreat, and it has truly been something that has comforted me in all the hard things I've faced at different times.]

Christ is sufficient ... for every need, every longing, every situation we face in this life.

"Stamp it with joy"
Over a nice time of supper together, a friend of mine here at the ministry recently shared how she had heard this at a women's conference, in regards to how our response can be to every circumstance in our lives, and I was really inspired, challenged and encouraged when she shared that.

As I rejoice in four years of serving here at GFA, and hopefully many, many more years to come, I am glad for a God who doesn't give up on me. And a God who desires my best, always, and is working out that "best" in my life in accordance with His perfect plan and for HIS glory. And for friends. And for FAMILY. And for a wonderful community of fellow believers here. And for all the other wonderful blessings in life, too.

Time sure does fly - I can't believe it's almost Thanksgiving (and a four-day weekend!). Tomorrow as early as I can get going (but not tooooo early-hee hee :o))) I am heading on out to my sister's. My parents will be there as well, and it will be nice to all be together. I will be driving back Sunday morning.

I have been having some good times with the Lord lately, and I want to trust HIM fully for all that is on my heart, knowing that He has my best at heart -and, most of all, that "best" also involves what is best for His glory and the furtherance of His kingdom. Praise God.

I've been reading in Exodus lately and have been struck and especially encouraged by phrases such as "that the earth may know that the Lord is God" and "that His name be proclaimed through all the earth". I've been encouraged because it reminds me that I can just rest the desires of my heart in HIS very capable hands, and that what is of SUPREME importance is that His name be proclaimed through all the earth.

Indeed there is always much to be thankful for ...
... which brings me to, "Happy Thanksgiving, everyone." :o)

Have another week and weekend really gone by since I last posted? Wow. Things here go well overall. Things on my heart, but wanting to keep my focus on Jesus (and trust Him) regarding them. He CAN be trusted. :) Always.

Friday night was really fun. A friend of mine from work (she's interning with us over this next year :o)) had a birthday (well, the next day) so we went over to a family's house from her department for supper, cake, ice cream and great fellowship.

Relatives of the host family were there as well, here for the Thanksgiving holidays. We had so much fun telling fun stories and laughing ... and I even very briefly demonstrated the few steps of a country line dance I remembered from a 4-H talent show years back. [And, of course, with our staff photographer being there, as he's part of that department, and just "happening" to have his camera with him, there are even photos to document my debut. :o) He jokes that he is going to put them on GFAnet! :c)]

My mom left yesterday morning. We had some good times during her visit. We went walking one day at this beautiful park at a lake in McKinney. And shopped a little. And talked and prayer together. And more. [BTW, she did stay up for spaghetti last Friday, too. :o) She loved being at the prayer meeting and getting to pray and visit with people!]

Yesterday a nice couple from my church had me over for lunch. They actually live about 30 minutes out from the church, kind of in the country. They directed me a different way to go home that would be a more direct route to my apartment, and I came across a really pretty park and decided to stop and take a walk. I didn't realize it was so far of a walk to the other side of the park. :o) But it was fun ... and there was this one part in the park where you could look up and see this house way up on a hill, surrounded by trees with beautiful fall colors in the leaves. It was nice.

I have been having some good times with the Lord lately and am continually reminded that in all times, the good and the bad, Jesus is EVERYTHING.

Hi again.

My mom is coming tomorrow. I'm so excited! Things are mostly ready at the apartment, minus just a little more cleaning and some vaccuuming and dusting. I'm looking forward to her visit.

AND ... tonight is all-night prayer. Yay! :o) My mom is generally NOT a night owl at all ... But I told her about the spaghetti during the first break and she was like, "I think I could stay awake until 11:30 for spaghetti." :o) She's excited to see everyone again and pray with them, too!

So I'm back in the world of bloggers today. :o) I have been working a bunch today on an article for our next issue of SEND! magazine, about a Buddhist lama in the remote hills of North India who has come to faith in Christ, as have his wife and children. It's exciting what God is doing everyday in lives in Asia. When you really think about it, it's AMAZING and so wonderful.

I am still working on the article but it's coming along well. I hope to make some more progress on it tonight. What a privilege to be a part of what God is doing.

Okay, I'm heading out now so I can run by my friend Michelle's to see some pretty rose bushes she wants to show me that she got for our garden. :o) Then eat the rest of my beef stew at the apartment, then start my evening. I'm thinking to work on my SEND! stuff quite a bit but also maybe go see a movie at the dollar theater somewhere in between there, or watch one at my apartment. I figure it won't hurt to have a break and come back with fresh eyes. :o)

I have been having some wonderful time with the Lord this week. I am so encouraged. Everything is put in a new light when your focus is on Jesus. The things you're concerned about seem to just kind of fade away in comparison with HIM.

I am in disbelief at how quickly this week has been going by. Is tomorrow really Friday?! I am so much enjoying the pot roast from my crockpot last weekend. [Uh-oh, there I go blogging about my crockpot again ... ;o)]

Don't know 'bout y'all, but I had a pretty good weekend! Had some nice times of resting, doing laundry, and also catching up with some good friends from the ministry to go see Superman Returns at the dollar theater. (and who could forget Target popcorn and soda combo for a dollar?!! :o))

I got a new cell phone over the weekend, too. It's with Sprint PCS instead of the company I was currently with, because I'm getting way more minutes for the same price! It's all been perfect timing, too, as my current contract runs out this Saturday. Only thing is, my phone is kind of acting up - overheating and stuff. So I called the place and they suggested I go ahead and bring it down for an exchange. So looks like I'll be making a trip to the mall tonight. I don't expect to go in any stores, though, just the Sprint PCS kiosk most likely.

On a different note, I'm happy because my pot roast in the crockpot turned out quite good. Well, okay, so I kind of mistakenly added four times the amount of water it called for, so it was a little liquidy (hee hee). But that was easily fixed by turning the excess liquid into a gravy for the roast, potatoes and carrots, as well as for the brown rice I cooked up last night. Yay!

Okay ... I'm going to go now. Life must be pretty uneventful when one must blog about what one cooks in one's crockpot. :o) (hee hee)

In all seriousness, though, I am doing quite well.

P.S. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention how the citrus-glazed chicken from last week turned out. It turned out fine except somewhat bland ... I guess it was just how the recipe turned out, since I followed directions pretty well. We Southerners just like slightly more spicy food, I guess. :o) But it's still very edible and I probably got, like, five meals at least out of it before freezing one more serving. So there you have it. :o) (as my dear friend Kara would say!)

I have citrus-glazed chicken in my crockpot. I can't wait to get home and see how it's looking and smelling. :o) I always enjoy making stuff in the crockpot and am wanting (and planning!) to use it more. I havent' tried this particular recipe, but it was in a cookbook one of my friends from back home gave me this weekend!

It's supposed to cook on low for 6 to 9 hours and has been cooking for close to 5 now. I may put it on high for an hour or so before eating it for supper tonight.

But enough about citrus-glazed crockpot chicken. :o) [I'll have to let you know how it turns out!] The weather outside has been absolutely gorgeous and I am so grateful. Lately (as in, the last two nights, plus some last month) I have been falling asleep around 10 or 11 on my sofa, and sometimes not waking up until 3 a.m. or even 5 a.m.! Not good .... I need to seriously avoid doing that tonight, especially as I can tell I don't sleep as well when I do that, and I need to try to arrive a little before 8 tomorrow morning since I'm sharing requests for the writers during morning prayer.

I continue to be reminded that Jesus is everything ... and that somehow, I want to give more of myself to Him. (Ultimately, I want to give ALL of me ... even if my flesh trembles at times at the thought ...) I know there are ways in which to an extent I've been holding back, and I don't want to do that! But how do I give more of myself to Him? I realize it is HE who must enable me. There is nothing in me. Yet at the same time I must be willing ... and agree to die to my flesh.

I have really been enjoying the book Hinds Feet on High Places and can see how the Lord has been using it to speak to my heart.

Okay. So explain this to me ... My shoulders were hurting quite a bit today, my friends visiting me from back home are coming in a day early (I did find this out yesterday morning though:o) and I still have quite a bit I'd like to get done before their visit (picking up, sweeping, mopping, errands, etc. etc.)- Yet I have much peace. I am really grateful for that. I actually was visiting with a good friend and co-worker just a few minutes ago in her office, and asked her to pray for me. After she prayed for me I experienced such peace. Our God is faithful.

Also this afternoon, a co-worker came by and gave me his MP3 player to listen to for a while ... It was a worship band from his church, and just what I needed! As I listened to songs like "Hallelujah, What a Savior" and "In Christ Alone", I was struck with just how much I need to and long to still give over to God ... and how He is worthy of everything! If He did what He did for me on the Cross, how can I not seek to give Him everything? And, really, that's ultimately the most fulfilling life anyway.

Oh, Lord ... crucify my flesh, I pray!

I've realized I haven't updated in a few days! I'm doing really well. Things have been busy with projects and stuff, and I've been having a nice weekend filled not only with good times with friends, but also "alone" time to rejuvenate as well. :-)

Today after church I ran into a co-worker and friend, Bea, at Macy's. As we were browsing the 65% to 75% off clearance racks together, she noticed a really cute short-sleeved green t-shirt with embroidery on it, but checked the price tag and it said $32! She said she could see how it was that much, being such a cute shirt. She put it back, and we parted ways - at least for the moment.

I thought about the shirt and how I'd love for her to have it and also it all of a sudden seemed a little "fishy" to me that it would still be $32 if indeed it had been correctly placed on the CLEARANCE rack! I went to a register and had them check the price, just to see, and it was actually $16! Add that to the fact that I had a $10 off a $30 or more purchase, and it made it a reasonable price for sure. [I had found a pair of white capris on a great clearance, so when we put the two items together it made at least a $30 purchase.] So we were both able to get our purchases for under $12 before tax!

I ran across my friend at just the right moment (Praise God) and was able to confirm I had grabbed her correct size, and she said she definitely wanted to get the shirt for that price! I really feel God put it on my heart to go back and check on that price for her. It's amazing how God cares about even the littlest details of our lives. And I love that, because it means we can trust Him with EVERYTHING ... including the big things, too. He's awesome.