An update!

Many of you have expressed an interest to hear how my support levels are going so far. Last I heard (on Thursday of this past week) was that I had $25. I can't thank each of you - my supporters - enough -- whether it be through prayer or financial help. Everything is a such a blessing... and it's because of people like YOU that I can travel overseas to Thailand to share the love of Jesus with the dear Thai people. My deadline for $900 is due in 6 days, and I know that with God, nothing is impossible. He led me to this trip and I know that He'll lead me through it. I would definitely appreciate prayer - that I would continue to trust in the Lord for His perfect will and timing regarding the finances for my trip.

This, my friends, is a sneak peak of the journey God has led me on the last few weeks...

SELFLESSNESS
In the last few weeks, God has begun to show me more than ever that IT'S NOT ABOUT ME. I have been living in such a self-centered way of life. I want *my* wants and needs met. I want to be catered to. I want other people to first approach me.. and then I'll respond back. But Christ seemed to say to me, "You know what? If you want to be like Me, it means you need to love people no matter what they do in return to you. Because true love is about learning how to GIVE -- not having the attitude of 'I wonder what I'll get back?'" And sadly my friends, that's how I've been living. Yes, I love people and want to make a difference in their lives, but I've had that little seed of selfishness in there as well (actually, uh.. quite a big one..) and wondered what I'd get back in return... whether that was more popularity.. or getting the attention from other people I wanted. But the first thing we need to realize about impacting others lives is that IT'S NOT ABOUT ME. It's about HIM.

FAITH
"That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of Christ." 1 Corinthians 2:5

Alot of circumstances have popped up in my life lately and the natural (human) way to respond to each one of these situations would be to doubt, freak out, panic, and have a pity party. (And unfortunately I was doing that) But then one night I read this verse, and I realized that my faith has been "standing in the wisdom of men" lately. My faith must rest in the power of Christ... because the power of Christ can accomplish anything. (With God all things are possible.)

SURRENDER
God has been bringing countless tests in my life lately that deal with surrender. Yes, dying of my own dreams. Dying to my own desires. Dying to MY WILL. Yes -- it hurts. It knocked me down to my knees [heh, and I think I should stay there..]. It brings tears.

My life is not my own. God has every right to change my life at the blink of an eye. I need to be living a life with opened hands in surrender to His will.

EAGER EXPECTATION
"Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." 1 Corinthians 2:9

So where do our desires flow from? Our hearts. I have realized that God has incredible things in store for me (as well as for each one of His people) and they may be things that I may not even have a desire for yet -- but in His time, He will put that desire in my heart. (Ps. 37:4-5)

TRUST [GOD WILL PROVIDE]
"...what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him?" Matthew 7:9-11

This verse speaks for itself. ;-) God loves to give good gifts to His children. He won't leave His children helpless. He will provide. Will you trust Him? He is trustworthy.