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.

I can't believe it's already Wednesday. It's been a good week so far! Not a whole lot to write, but having a good week. I've been able to focus pretty well on my projects, which I'm so thankful for!

Today we all had a couple of staff meetings, which made the day go by fast! I completely forgot about the meetings. I saw a couple of my friends (interns) grab their stuff and leave our area, and I was thinking, "Oh, okay ... must be a special meeting this morning for interns." :oD Thankfully, one of my co-workers came in just a moment later and said something about us having a meeting. :o) So I headed downstairs just in time!

Wow, it has been a really nice weekend.

This has been so refreshing after a week or so of kind of rough times!

Friday Night: Went to Barnes and Noble to read in some books, buy a book I've been wanting to read, and look just a little bit over projects for work.

Saturday Morning: Went out to Allen Premium Outlets because I had an extra 20% off coupon for the Eddie Bauer outlet. :o) Found a great dress and pair of shorts for 70% off (plus 20%!!!) and a really cute long-sleeved knit striped shirt (bluish colors) for a good price after the coupon.

Saturday Afternoon: Left the Outlets for my 2:00 haircut appt. near Trinity Mills and the Tollway! After my haircut, I grabbed a "bite to eat" (to use my mom's expression :o)) and picked up three friends of mine from the ministry (all sisters!) at their house to go to Ross and Target, where we enjoyed their $1 popcorn and soda combo. :o) Then we had supper at their house! Great times.

Saturday Night: Ran over to a staff family's house where a bunch of young people from the ministry were meeting to play games and stuff. We played Balderdash (one of my favorites!), around-the-world ping pong and roasted marshmellows in the fire pit outside. It was so much fun!

Wow, what a week! I'm still not up to 100% physically ... lingering traces of my cold/allergies/sinuses from last week, combined with a couple of other physical "ailments" (nothing contagious). ;-) More than that, though, there were some intense times of being attacked in my thought life by the Enemy. I'm doing much better now, though, and I think the ladies' potluck fellowship last night really helped!

I'm so glad it's Friday and I have the weekend to rest and relax. :-) Have a good weekend, everyone!

I've been physically under the weather much of this week. It was relatively mild but made me REALLY tired for some reason. I wonder if it was a combo of allergies, sinuses and a mild cold. Anyhow, I feel relatively better, even if still physically weak.

I was at home most of a couple days resting, and it's been an intense past two days or so. I have felt buffeted about by the Enemy with discouraging thoughts, etc. It's been really intense.

Overall I'm doing a lot better at the moment, yet still so aware that it is a very real spiritual battle. I should feel comforted, for it is because I'm in the Lord's army that the Enemy torments me so at times. I think the battle has been especially intense for many at the office lately. But GOD WINS.

bummalo - a dried fish used in chutney relish

One of our definitions from last night's entertaining game of Balderdash at the home of a family from the ministry. I don't remember it word for word, I'm sure, but I think it's somewhat close. One of our favorite definitions for that word was M.T.'s -- "a bummed out buffalo". :o) Good times.

This morning's message in church was good, even if quite convicting ... He talked about how Jesus' yoke is easy and His burden is light, but how we only truly enter into that easy yoke and light burden when we faithfully SUBMIT to Him. I feel like I've been able to do that with relative ease in the BIG things (only by God's grace and working!), but in the "little" things it's much more of a challenge ... but I want to do better with these things, because they're important! I want to please Jesus.

Post #440.

Today was just one of those days that, I'm sorry, it just would have been a federal crime not to walk to work. Okay, so I'm exagerrating a bit but you do get the picture. :o) It was absolutely gorgeous out.

It's been another good week. I've been working on my newsletter, and also a bunch of projects, such as a welcome letter for a church packet, and earlier a Sri Lanka update. Things have been very busy, but overall a good kind of busy!

I am so grateful for this beautiful weather.

The Mercy Me concert and Rangers game were so much fun. The best part was the fellowship with everyone.

God did bless me something really special, too. I actually won the newest Mercy Me CD! Needless to say, I was excited, but even more so when I saw that "So Long Self" was on it.

That is a song the Lord really used to speak to my heart in a powerful way one day as I was coming home from a prayer meeting we had at the ministry. And not only do I now have a copy of that song to listen to(and for free!), I got to hear them sing it in person out there on the stadium lawn. Praise God. Another reminder that He cares abuot every little detail of our lives.

I've been having such a good week.

I can't believe it's already almost a three day weekend, too! This weekend will be a full one.

Friday: Extended prayer night here at the ministry
Saturday: Meeting up with some friends from my old church for our traditional trip to an area Dillard's closeout store that has great deals on Labor Day weekend. [I'm driving myself so I can sleep in a little extra if I need to. :o)] Then, not that much time until I need to be here at the office so I can meet up with a big group on staff to go to a Mercy Me concert and Rangers game. :o)
Sunday: Church (of course), then helping some friends from the ministry move.

I look forward to the weekend!

Another good day.

Took my friend Steph to the airport so she could go for a press check, for our 2007 GFA calendar. (We're so excited about that!)

Ate spaghetti I'd made, grapes, and carrots downstairs in our staff kitchen for lunch, while fellowshipping with some of our new interns who just arrived. :c)

And now? I'm heading to rest around the apartment and get ready for prayer meeting tonight.