Who I one day hope to be.
And look like cause isn't she a saucy minx!

My Grandma Eva

Vietnam, i miss it so much

Happy times

While I do like my last post, it’s a little depressing. I don't want people to think I'm just some emo chick who never smiles. So here's a random joke that I hope it'll make you smile

Just so you know, I heard it in my Comparative Religions class about a year back.

A Rabbi, a Priest and a Pastor all walk into their favorite bar. After a couple rounds they begin to complain about how in this postmodern world it is much easier to convert a bear than it is a human. The Pastor speaks up and says, "Hey priest, I bet I can convert a bear faster than you can". The priest say's, "I beg to differ, I'm sure I can convert a bear faster than you." The Rabbi perks up and says, "In order to settle this let's meet again in one week. During this one-week we will each go up to the woods, find ourselves a bear and try to convert it. The one who is successful wins." This sounds pleasing to everyone, so they agree to do so.

One week later they all meet again, this time in the hospital.

The Pastor looks up at the Priest who has a broken arm and asks him how it went. The Priest said, "This last week I went up to the woods and I found myself a bear. After preaching to the bear for 30 minutes the bear decided he just wasn't having it anymore and started swatting me around. I pull out my Holy water, splash it in his face, and all of a sudden we're praising Jesus, Mary, and Joseph together. How bout you preacher? What happened to you?"

The Pastor himself not only has a broken arm but a broken leg too. The pastor pulls himself straight in his chair and begins his story. "Well this week I went up to the woods and found myself a bear, too. After preaching to this bear for 20 minutes he decided he just wasn't having it anymore. He swats me so hard pretty soon we're rollin down a ravine into the river below. I take the bear by the scruff of the neck, dunk him hard in the water, baptize him, and start praising Jesus together." The two have a short laugh and together look at the Rabbi who not only has a broken leg and a broken arm, but also is in a full body cast.

The Rabbi sits quietly for a moment, and then begins to speak slowly with in a slurred speech. "After hearing both of your stories, I now realize that I shouldn't have tried to circumcise the bear."

Ashes

Weakness is shameful. It provokes disgust and invokes provocation.


Hidden in solitude
No one can find me
Guarded by pride
No one can touch me

Walls, I have built
In keeping others out
I've fenced myself in


I sit in silence as winter calls for me. The streams dwindle as the rivers ceased their flow. Light fades as the world goes deaf. But snickering laughter and mocking tones remind me of who I've been. Walking Death, like a chilled breeze sweeping across my chest, draws me near and I begin to fall.

I cry out, and He hears. I reach out as He holds out His hand. Gathered to Him I find my peace as the voice that shook the heavens whispers, "I am here."

-

Su Voz

Frustraciones claman mi vida
En todo lugares hoigo sus voces
Palabras de enojo
Palabras de rincor
Palabras que destruyen
Y matan el amor

Necesito escapar
Nesesito ser librada
En mis venas corre veneno

Quita dentro de mi todo lo que engana
todo lo que maltrata
todo lo que mata
Deseo de ti
Sin ti me muero

Home?

I could never stop thanking the people who prayed for us. By their prayers we gained strength when we were weary, found grace in the eyes of the locals, and were able to have patience with each other. Thank you.

Throughout this whole journey the Lord showed Himself to us time and time again. He was our protector in times of fear. He was our guide in times of uncertainty. He was our Father in times of discomfort. He was my sanity. He was in all ways God and I praise Him for that.

I presented at my parent’s church last Sunday. They wanted a simple 15 minute presentation on what the Lord did in East Asia. While I did speak about East Asia, the majority of my speech was on the work going on overseas. The first week in country I was depressed because I felt I wasn’t having the same amount of opportunities to speak to the locals as other teammates. When another teammate brought someone to the Lord, I felt jealous. It wasn’t until I realized that we all have different jobs in the Kingdom that it changed. So I asked God to show me who it is that He would have me speak to and what it is that He would have me do. He showed me Shelly, Peggy, Denise, Melissa, and Jessica. My other teammate was given the job of harvesting. I was appointed to plow the field and water the plants. I told my parent's church that we all have a part in the Great Commission. Some of us will be the field workers, some of us will be the mobilizers, some of us will be the financial support, and others the prayer warriors. You see, we do all have our part.

I ask for my team, that they may be lifted up in prayers. Some of us are facing difficulties as we try to find our place again in a world we may no longer be a part of. Please pray for the other teams CBU still has out in the field. Pray for health, team unity, and grace in the eyes of the locals. Pray that the Lord would reveal Himself to them as He did to me. Please pray for the people we met in East Asia. That God would lift up local believers to guide them in His ways.

Lastly I encourage you, as I encouraged my parent’s church, to seek your part in this ministry. As I stated in my last letter, the work is not yet done. It will not be done until the day of His return.

How They Sing for Him

The dawn breaks as the birds begin their song. The woman beats her rug. The man rakes his leaves. The child scuttles down the street. Around me is hear a myrad of sounds: horns blowing, engines whispering, people shouting, and I am listening. The city has awoken.

This is the way my days have begun for the last three weeks. I will miss it. To all who prayed for us thank you so much. You have been heard. We have welcomed a brother into the family and another is on his way. Many more have heard. The seed has been planted and I ask that God would make it grow. I ask for the workers who will water it. For those who are still here, and for those who are still to come. I ask for those who do not yet believe, and for those who do and are suffering for it.

One of the lessons that I will take with me is how precious worship is. In a place where it is forbidden I cherish every moment of it. I often find myself singing in the streets and the tears just begin to flow. I cry tears of joy to be found in the arms of the one who calls himself the I Am. I cry for all those who do not know Him, or who have rejected Him. I cry for the Honor and Glory that is being stolen from Him. He has become my song.

Being a leader has been an interesting venture. One my mentors told me before I left "A true leader is one who people are willing to follow because they contain the characteristics they themselves want to have." I just ask God that He make me into this person, because contrary to popular belief I am not this person.This is not false humilty, but truth. But, through Him I can be. I need to go... Please continue to pray because we are not yet home, and the work is not yet done.