A thought before I leave this country...

World Relief is such a blessed organization.  I feel blessed to be a part of it.  I feel completely and totally unqualified, but they brought me on, so jokes on them! Everyone I met yesterday were genuine and seemed excited for me.  I don't really know where I fit in yet, and I realize that the organization will feel different once I get to Bujumbura....

Baltimore...many homeless people wandering meticulously restored streets and parks.  This world is so broken, our Savior is needed everywhere.

Bujumbura...I will be there tomorrow afternoon.  Crazy to think about.  BRING IT!!

PEACE OUT AMERICA!

So little time...

In a week I will be at the World Relief headquarters in Baltimore.  Probably sweating nervously as I am introduced to people in the office and the reality of my internship begins to set in.  This is my first real 'job' ever, and I am very much intimidated.

I have less than a week in Blacksburg, Va.  A place that has been 'home' for the past 3 and a half years.  How does one go about saying good-bye to that.  Its the people.  Burruss Hall, the drill field, and Bollo's will all be here when I get back, but some of the people won't. If there is one thing that I have been trying so hard to do, is to say heartfelt goodbyes.  In essence to be vulnerable.

For the longest time I have been able to skirt a true goodbye with excuses.  The best of them completely absolves me of any blame.  I simply tell myself that whomever it is that I want to say goodbye to didn't care about our relationship the way that I did, and therefore would not care if I said a heartfelt goodbye or not.  Messed up, I know.  

I have realized the error of my ways, and now I am taking this leaving opportunity to say good bye. I love you. You mean the world to me. No matter where I am on this globe, I remember you, I pray for you, and miss you.

When Nehemiah and the the Lord's people returned to the land of Judea they brought out the Book of the Law.  It was read to them and they wept.  They had fallen away from His word.

Today I am little grieved. I finally forced myself to get up early this morning and read His Word.  It has been too long.  I am grieved, feeling guilty for not spending time with Him.  But just like in the book of Nehemiah, the priests told the people, "This is the Lord's day, do not grieve"

I will rejoice in His words.

Burundi Bound September 9th!

It seems that every post I write is rack with some heavy overtone.  It would seem from this blog that my life is always on the brink of chaos or spiritual depression.  Well, I need to disclaimer that and say that it's just not true.  But in those many times of joy and completion, I don't feel the need to write about it. I simply enjoy them. 

Its when I am feeling down, confused, or spiritually down that I feel the need to write my thoughts.  I guess its kind of like when I am happy, I am quick to forget the Giver of all blessings and true joy.  Yet when I am oppressed I am so quick to run to Him.

So since I am writing, I am sure you can guess that I am feelin' a little down.  Yes fri

ends, this spiritual battle that is going on in my soul right now is raging more than ever.  Yet, I am still trying to remember that He is in control and that with Him on my side I have won.  

I am 66% supported. Praise the Lord! My vacation with family down at the Outer Banks, NC was such a blessings.  I am now back in Blacksburg, trying to raise the last bit of my support. I fly to Bujumbura on September 9th!  

I haven't even landed in Burundi and I am already plagued with insecurity in myself and my calling to serve Him.  Its tiring. I am so tired of it. 

He rose on the 3rd day and conquered sin.  His love for me is unconditional. I rest my ever wiry head in this.

To hear the words, "Well done..."

Today Ben Entwistle passed away at the age of 20.

Some people take more than 70 years before they get to go home, but Ben got to go home earlier than most.  I am shocked, surprised, grieved.  

Often we are shocked when the Lord chooses to take His best servants, but maybe He just wants better company.  He gives and takes away...but those of us who are left behind can't help but feel the loss.

May I decrease, and He increase...

With every draw back and set back that I have gone through in the past few days, I have rejoiced because my understanding of God has become just a bit bigger. His comforting embrace has become just a bit more tighter, and His faithfulness to me has been proved a little more.

12%-my support level right now.

As we diminish, He increases. May I continue to diminish.

'Tis the season...to eat!

HAPPY 4th of July!!!

I'm not a very good American, but here's the deal.  I LOVE apple pie!  

There is nothing more satisfying than a slice nice, warm, spiced apple pie with a scoop of premium vanilla bean ice cream on top.

YAY AMERICA!!!