HAPPY 22nd BIRTHDAY SISSY!

I love you so much honey!

Lessons through a naughty fuel pump.

It's another morning and his mercies are definitely new this morning. I am in a pretty good mood with my lack of sleep and caffeine withdrawals. I have a paper due, an exam to take, a car to pick up at the mechanics, and a night of waitressing. That fuel pump! God is so good though, and through my frustration He is teaching me patience whether I like it or not, and I love it!!! Praise Him, praise Him! Greek is going well and I've taken my first exam. I'm still nervous, but I'm confident His strength will come through in my weakness. Right now one of my biggest joys is the thought of going home in less than 2 months, Lord willing. God's grace.

Auntie Ruthie Speaks

What is going on? Why does this little boy (Luke) have his hand on Lily's? And, why is she laughing? Hmm... tsk tsk. Lily, you can't even talk yet and you're already flirting.

Ministered to.

Okay, so you know how I believe that my workplace is my ministry? I was so blessed and encouraged when it became a place where I am ministered to.

The other day I went into work sort of flustered and feeling a bit crabby. Well, we get totally slammed and I just want to cry. I go to the back where I have a party of five and take them their 5 waters with lemons. They place their orders, and the man on the right looks at me. "I have two questions for you... 1 does the Greek salad come with dressing?"
"Yes, it comes with oil and vinegar."
"2 is there anything that you would like prayer for?"
I almost fell on the floor. I had tables everywhere, the place was swarming and this table, in my section wanted to pray for ME!
"Yes!!! As a matter of fact, I do."
I proceeded to explain to them my decision to study linguistics and ancient languages and how I was feeling overwhelmed and I didn't really know what the Lord has for me in the area of Bible Translation. (I had a meeting with an adviser earlier that day)
... I ran and got their salads, and I found no new tables and none of my other tables needing anything! (Very rare) I went back to the table and they all put their hands on me after they asked me if they could. All 5 of them prayed for me right there in the restaurant as I stood over their table. They prayed for school, guidance, finances, that the Holy Spirit would anoint and guide me, and that I would remain strong in the faith. What an encouragement. I don't know why I'm so amazed at the way the Holy Spirit works, but I am! He is amazing! They left and I ran to the front giving them the bill and a quick note of thanks. I went back to work and saw that they had left me a $26 tip. I don't know what the Lord was thinking, or what he fully intended, but the encouragement and comfort they left me is indescribable. It also convicted me and my attitude at work. What am I there for?
Later that night, I had another opportunity to talk with a grandfather of one of my co-workers... a believer! He spoke of his evangelism opportunities and encouraged me to be in the word and pray everyday, promising to pray for ME!

"Thank you, LORD!"

What's new?

Well, I feel like tons is going on. I am going crazy with classes and making decisions about my major. It's looking like it's going to be Linguistics and Ancient Languages. I'm excited. I have quad break in a week, so I'm looking forward to that. God's good; I'm realizing that more and more every day. I'm really busy and tons is going on, but I'm alive!

Fishers of Men!

I think it's pretty neat seeing the the fishermen working together, all doing their part of bring in the nets. In contrast to the lone man, they bring in a plentiful catch ... Like us! If we work together as fishers of men, we will be more productive and better prepared for the moment to pull that heavy net into the boat. If we're alone, there is more of a chance of those fish pulling us into the water.

[I got these from www.joshmelissa.com --Josh and Melissa Jore are new members of WMPL to Bangladesh. There is more at www.wmpl.org] I sure miss living there.

Morning!

I'm not experiencing the bright shining face ... I'm off to math here pretty soon. I really like my teacher, but I think I'm going to need some caffeine. Having a million things on my mind and some homework is kinda urgh. I'm looking forward to meeting with a friend today. We're going to go through the 1st Step of Neil Anderson's Steps to Freedom in Christ. As far as school goes, I'm going to try to get an appointment to meet with an adviser about possible majors. Hmmm... Pray for guidance. God is good and faithful! I'm looking forward to seeing what he has in store for the day.

Convictions

I'm in the middle of studying for my huge Western Civ. Exam. Eek... more like the beginning though I've studied for over an hour and a half. I don't know how I'm going to cram all of this information into my noodle. :( Osmosis?

Today's chapel was awesome. The speaker talked about how we shouldn't depend on our feelings. Though we have spiritual highs AND lows, we are still in God's hand. What a comforting thought, especially for me. These past couple weeks have been rough. Not really academically, but emotionally. Extreme highs and lows and swings. I don't really understand completely what is going on, but I'm trusting the Lord's leading and I'm depending on prayer. Some major molding is going on and it's out of my control. My ignorance and idiocy hit me hard last night and the Lord's grace really came in full. I desire to live for Christ and bring him glory, but I find it hard in the midst of the world and all the trials and temptations. I really desire to be blind to all that is not pleasing to the Lord so that I might in some way bring Him glory. He is so gracious and I have no idea why he has saved a wretch like me.

Congradulations Matt and Molly!

I had the privilege of going to Wisconsin for the weekend. I did Molly's and her five bridesmaids' hair and had a blast. What a joy it was to see Matt and Molly step into this marriage so full of love for the Lord and each other. God's guidance was and is very obvious in their lives and it was a wonderful testimony to all that witnessed it.

Hurray for Family!

Pictures of Lily's Great Grandparents (my grandparents), Great-great-great Grandma (my great-great grandma). Mary and I at Jenny's Wedding.