Walk by faith... (and not by sight)

I love shoes... Like in that Emelda Marcos, could fill an entire house full of shoes and still want more, buy the most impractical pair in the world just because they are fun, kind of way. I used to pick out the ones with heels, they were my favorite, mostly because I lived in America, where I could drive from one place to another and only had to walk a few steps in them. Now I prefer shoes that are more practical, because every day I hike a pretty good ways, whether I'm walking to the bus stop or walking to work.
The funny thing about my love for shoes is that I have an equally strong dislike for feet. They are just gross to me. They are usually smelly, caloused, sweaty; and no amount of painting or primping does them much good. Sure, from far away they look okay, but get them up close and I'm still pretty grossed out by them.
The Bible talks a lot about feet. In the Old Testament people were required to take off their shoes and often wash their feet when entering a place that was considered holy. Feet were important in the book of Joshua when they needed stop the water so the Ark could cross the Jordan River. Isaiah extols them as beautiful, Psalms says that my feet can be like those of deer, and countless other references mention feet as a source of firm standing and security.
Feet were also referenced when talking about sin. Feet often times carried a sinner to their sin (Isaiah and Jeremiah make countless references to feet that didnt stay at home, feet that wandered or ran to evil).
So I started thinking, something that is usually dangerous to my laziness and desire to do nothing, about the uses of feet. Obviously they are for walking, running, jumping, dancing, etc... I thought a little more and realized that there is something wonderful about the idea of walking by faith. That faith that I imagine walking by isnt the kind of faith that believes only when its easy, or when its going my way. Its the kind of faith that can move mountains, the faith that takes every word that God has spoken as truth, and believes that God is going to do exactly what He has promised to do. And the journey.... probably not only through the green pastures and by the still waters. Sure, there are going to be seasons of that, but there are also going to be mountains deep and valleys high, rocks, mudslides, hurricanes and typhoons that interrupt the walk.
This is the walk I want. That is the faith I want. I'm even willing to wear ugly shoes to survive the walk... Besides, God said my feet were beautiful... I'm going to believe that one.

"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news. "

A Picture is worth a thousand words

some pictures from the last few weeks
Phil and I after a wedding of one of our local friends

My friend Tracy who came for a visit. Our day at the bowling alley. I won, by the way! The guys were shocked!
Courtney and I decided to sumo! It was hysterical... and so much fun.

What IS that smell?

"For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and
among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the
other an aroma from life to life. " 2 Cor 2:15-16

There is nothing that I love more than some good perfume. I haven't been able to buy any since I've been here, mostly because it is three times the amount that I paid for it in the States. Now, I'm not usually a cheapskate, but 3 TIMES the PRICE is ridiculous. Lotion, bath salt, body spray, body cream- I have it all. I think I just like smelling good.

I think about those women at church- the ones that always smell. Its really strong, sometimes like an old lady, sometimes like a fashion magazine, but always very distinct. There are other scents that also bring to mind certain events, people, or places.

• 
  
  Any time I smell peanut butter cookies I instantly am transported to a soccer field in Little Rock, Arkansas. The field was located next to a cookie factory and the entire weekend, as we played, the aroma of peanut butter cookies wafted through the air


• 
  
  after living overseas, the smell of garlic on my hands will forever bring me back to hours of cooking in my small kitchen here


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  fresh cut grass- a summer spent working soccer camps, getting up early to play, staying late to hang out, getting tan the entire time

I got to thinking the other day about the fragrance that I put out as a child of the King. In ourselves, we pretty much just stink. Only with the Savior are we given the privilege of smelling the fragrance of Christ- and to think that we get to put this on, to experience it, each time we meet with believers, each time we open God's word. What a cool thought that is- to those who are being saved, the fragrance of life, to those who are dying, the fragrance of death. The first part, about the fragrance to those who are being saved, what a privilege. To be able to encourage and fellowship within the body smelling all good. To represent the aroma of salvation, pointing people to the Savior. Thats the kind of mission that I want; the thing that I signed up for as I came overseas. I was taught from years and years in Sunday School that God could use me in the process of salvation; thats exciting, the part of the work that I want to report each time I talk with people back home.

But I think there is another part, a less savory part, a part that gets little mention in our churches. To be the fragrance of Christ among those who are perishing- what exactly does that mean? I think its mostly an aroma of awareness- one that makes people more aware of their deadness, more aware of their sin. I've thought a lot about this and I'm not sure this is a fun or easy thing. Its something that really draws a line in the sand; it can be offensive, disciplining, maybe even damning. But can we say that this too is the kind of mission that we want. I've becoming more and more convicted that if I truly love the people that I work with, and I mean love them in the way that Christ loves the Church, in the way God loves His Son, then I should gladly represent the fragrance of Christ to those who are perishing.

I had that realization the other day, after reading a paragraph out of G.K. Chesterton's Orthodoxy. My beliefs, my convictions, even my life stand in direct opposition to the majority of the world. It was really hard for me to say this out loud- as if that made it real, made it serious. But it is real, and it is very serious. The fragrance of Christ that we are given might not make us popular, but it will most certainly be a beacon- to those who believe and also to those that dont. And both groups need to smell the fragrance.

"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. " Eph 5:2

Fresh Look- Fresh Start

I've had a little case (ok, a huge, prolonged case) of writers block for the past few months. I havent journaled, written emails, blogged, or anything else that was remotely related to putting the pen to the paper. I just didnt feel like I had anything of importance to say. I missed writing actually, something that surprised me a great deal. So this morning I have ripped the proverbial band-aid off and gotten back to it. The redesign of my blog has been quite motivating- I plan on speing the afternoon sifting through 4 months of thoughts. Hopefully I will come back with some good stuff for you.

Please comment, question, argue with things that I write on this page. I fully acknowledge that I have not yet arrived- far from it actually; and I am stilll in that stage of life where my opinions, though strong and sometimes close-minded, can be influenced or maybe even changed with a strong argument or a good, solid defense. So bring it on :) I'm looking forward to the new blog, and to a new season of writing.

When Life Blows...

There were several things that I thought I would encounter when I moved overseas. I knew that people would smoke a lot, I knew that it would snow more in one day than I had seen in my life, I knew that random animals would sometimes appear in the middle of busy streets and intersections- just wandering in from the village.

I didnt; however, think that I would ever see a scene from the Wizard of Oz fleshed out. Remember when the tornado comes and she gets swept away to Oz? Well, I got to live through that yesterday. The picture about was taken from a building here during a recent dust storm.

They havent taken seriously here the idea that grass eliminates a lot of dust, and while they have spent millions of dollars on buildings and painting lines on roads, they have spent next to nothing on grass. So whenever the wind blows, which is pretty much daily, all the dust moves from the ground to the air.

I went outside in the weather that the picture above describes, and within 8.7 seconds my entire body was covered in a film of dirt. It was in my teeth, my ears, my eyes..... not fun! By the time I got to my destination, I was covered!

Just another day....

Pictures that are worth 1000 words

I have gotten a lot of pictures lately from the guys on my team, and I thought I would let you guys in on some of the finer parts of life here. I hope you enjoy!!

That, my friends, is the Central Asian hamburger. Sure it looks a little funny, and it tastes a little like grass, but covered in cheese, tomato, and bar-be-que sauce and you've got a pretty tasty little meal!

So you think you can dance? This is me showing off my killer dance moves!

This picture, even though it was taken on the train, really sums up many of my experiences. It says, " How in the world did i find myself in this situation at this time?"

Kool Aid definitely tastes better in Central Asia! Especially tropical punch Kool Aid.

And finally, Jon trying to kiss the camel. Please notice that the camel isnt really interested. Sorry Jon Jon!

No one will believe, even if they saw it with their own eyes

I love my job. Daily, if not hourly, I find myself in a situation that makes me laugh, usually because it is a situation that I NEVER thought that I would be in. Let me warn you though; some of these things might not be amazing to you, but they should be :)
Here are some examples from the last few days.
1. I'm staying with some friends for a few days in a neighboring country, and this morning, bright and early, their milk lady came to bring them some milk. I thought it was like we had in KZ, that they buy it from a lady who sells the bags. But nope, the lady milks her cow, then brings the just from the cow milk to their house. Sarah then has to pastuerize it and then they have milk. For some reason, that cracked me up! They actually get their milk straight from the cow!
2. Today, I was with some friends and one of them remarked, " Its really strange when the things that you saw in movies growing up shift and become a real part of your life." She was talking about the mafia presence in most countries around here, and how it is easy to pick them out because of their nice cars, fancy clothes, chain smoking, etc...
3. I flew on a plane yesterday that was definitely built before anyone reading this blog was alive. It was incredible. Here is my journal entry. Enjoy, and be glad you didnt have to ride on this thing.
" I want to remember every part of this ride.. it is that good! As I start to write, my pen is jarred back and forth; because the distance between me and the air is relatively small. Yeah, I'm pretty sure that I could cit a hole through the wall with a butter knife.
I'm sitting in a chair that is also remarkable. First, it leans all the way forward, so if you want a bed, you just put your feet on the back of the chair in front of you. It is covered in this intensly hideous fabric that is older in age and style than my grandparents.
The floors- yup, they are bright green; they almost resemble the fake grass that a McDonalds playland boasts. The fabric covering the "seats/beds" is also incredible. It had flowers on it, blue and green ones, but the material was definitely the same that many people use for curtains. Oh, and there are actual curtains in the windows, pretty, lacy, white ones... or at least they were pretty and white when they were hung in the mid 1950's. "
It was just funny. Life presents so many opportunities to laugh. I hope that I take them!

Days Go By...

A year ago I was stepping off the plane. I had said goodbye to people that loved me, places that were familiar to me, a language that I could speak. I stepped off into a land that I knew nothing about. It ws then a land that was dark and scary. People looked different, smelled different, ate things that didnt seem edible. They didnt seem to smile, they had no joy, they were just their work, their hardships, their struggle. And I was a bleary-eyed American girl, who had been told forever that she could do anything in the world that she wanted to do.
I was such a little girl then. I didnt have a clue about things like paying bills, handling emergency situations, even simple things like grocery shopping or knowing how to cook baffled me. But I was forced to grow up; and grow up I have, in a way that I never would have imagined.
I've learned volumes about obedience, about the expense of it; about trust, about God's faithfulness always. I've been on two different teams, in two cities, in three apartments. I've endured several floods and a small fire, plus countless cultural mistakes. I've learned to smile through the tears, to laugh at the things that would have previously crippled me, to enjoy the quiet solitude that comes from a peace that really can surpass all understanding. I've honed my cooking skills, my bargaining skills, my hospitality skills, and my people skills. No part of who I am has been untouched; I have been held in the fire past my burning point, but no longer than our precious Father wanted to keep me there.
ALl of that to say, I wouldnt change one second of it... Here's to the year of my life... and the promise of another to come.
Paca

Days Go By...

A year ago I was stepping off the plane. I had said goodbye to people that loved me, places that were familiar to me, a language that I could speak. I stepped off into a land that I knew nothing about. It ws then a land that was dark and scary. People looked different, smelled different, ate things that didnt seem edible. They didnt seem to smile, they had no joy, they were just their work, their hardships, their struggle. And I was a bleary-eyed American girl, who had been told forever that she could do anything in the world that she wanted to do.
I was such a little girl then. I didnt have a clue about things like paying bills, handling emergency situations, even simple things like grocery shopping or knowing how to cook baffled me. But I was forced to grow up; and grow up I have, in a way that I never would have imagined.
I've learned volumes about obedience, about the expense of it; about trust, about God's faithfulness always. I've been on two different teams, in two cities, in three apartments. I've endured several floods and a small fire, plus countless cultural mistakes. I've learned to smile through the tears, to laugh at the things that would have previously crippled me, to enjoy the quiet solitude that comes from a peace that really can surpass all understanding. I've honed my cooking skills, my bargaining skills, my hospitality skills, and my people skills. No part of who I am has been untouched; I have been held in the fire past my burning point, but no longer than our precious Father wanted to keep me there.
ALl of that to say, I wouldnt change one second of it... Here's to the year of my life... and the promise of another to come.
Paca

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Skiing... Kazakh style

So off to the mountain we went... The mountain had a lot of potential. It was beautiful. We asked until we found the ski rental place, and were directed to a literal hole in the wall. Inside held skis that could have been made before I was born (ok, they werent THAT old). We got our boots and skis and then asked about the runs. They told us they were just up the hill; and I got suspicious when I saw a rope attached to a pulley. People were hanging on to this rope and being pulled up the mountain. That was the lift!
The view from the top. nice huh?

We took our place with about 5 more skiers to travel up the mountain. We couldnt quite see up to the top, but 200 meters later we were at the top of the only run that "little Switzerland" had to offer!! It was hysterical. Of course, I had trouble with my skis and bindings, but after several readjustments, and many times of chasing my ski down the mountain after it would fall off without reason, we were ready to get this ski day underway. Okay, think about when you were little and you would pretend you were riding your bike really fast, but you were really just going a little faster than slow.... Thats what skiing was like! No matter how well you started, you were going to slow down quite considerably by the bottom! We figured out pretty soon that we were going to have to make this fun! Jon found a trail down the backside of the mountain that had several "jumps" on it, and we made the most of those; jumping and laughing and just generally perpetuating the stereotype that the world has about Americans!
The guys at the top of the mountain!

Jon relaxing at the top of the mountain while Phil watches in bewilderment!

The day was really fun! We skied as much as we could down ONE RUN and then we called it a day. We spent the rest of the night until our train came drinking tea, eating shashlik (a kind of barbeque here) and listening to the loud rap and hip/hop music that magically comes on whenever we as Americans walk into a cafe! I think I drank enough tea to float away. The best part of the day by far though, was the time I got to spend with Phil and Jon. We finally made it back about midnight last night, after a loud 3 hr train ride back. I was past tired, but I would do it again in a second! Good job guys- that was fun!

"Little Switzerland"

I definitely underestimate the country that I live in most of the time. Living in the flat, Siberian cold, capital city, I often forget that the entire country doesnt look like new construction, dirt, snow and slush, and a lack of trees or anything green! Yesterday, I had the chance to break out of this place for a few hours, 18 hours to be exact, with two of my teammates. Jon, who is quite an adventuresome guy, decided that we all needed to go skiing in "Little Switzerland" for a day. He knew that they had a place to ski in this city, and he also knew that we needed to buy tickets for the train.... That was about all the information that he had! But he is a convincing guy, and soon Phil and I had agreed to join him on this little day of alpine fun.
Our train left at 6:45, so that meant a 6:00 departure time for us. Unfortunately, none of us are morning people, so my wake-up call from the guys that came at 5:55 didnt leave me much time to put myself together. Luckily I remembered my passport, something I dont always do. The taxi driver I had hired was actually on time, so by 6:10 we were on our way! The train, which is quickly becoming my favorite mode of transportation, took 3 hours. I'm not sure what I expected when I got off, but I should have been prepared for a little chaos outside the train station. See, we really didnt have any idea what we were doing, nor did we have an idea how to get where we wanted to go. After a bit of haggling, we got a Russian guy named Sasha to drive us to his favorite cafe in town. Well, guess what, cafes arent open at 10:00 in the morning, so we were stuck with this strange little Russian guy in his Volkswagen. Our communication was very poor, partly due to the fact that our Russian isnt super wonderful and partly due to the fact that he wasnt really listening to what we wanted to do, and after a bit of driving around unnecessarily, we arrive at a hotel. He has decided that we must get a room; no amount of talking can convince him that we dont want a room... So we pay him and go in the hotel... We just dont need a room though! The highlight of that car ride was that Queen's We Will Rock You came on, and he obliged us by blaring that song as Jon played the drums on the dashboard and I laughed hysterically in the back!
While at the hotel, we find out what we had started to expect- that you couldnt ski in the place we were. Luckily, the ski area was just 40 or so kilometers away. So we get another taxi and start the drive up the "mountain". Now, remember that few things here actually are beautiful. Mostly I look at old Soviet things and new, modern, weird things. This place was beautiful. Stay tuned for the rest of our trip... It really gets good when we get to the "ski lift"!!

Prayer... Raise the Bar

Because of a series of events that have challenged my faith beyond the point I thought I could be challenged, I have really come to understand the exhortations from Scripture about praying with confidence and according to God's will. When I first moved overseas, I understood the idea that prayer was central to the work that we were doing, but my prayers tended to focus on things that were nothing out of the ordinary for God.
For instance, I would ask for things like protection when I was in a taxi, or grace and memory during a language lesson, or a time of conversation with a neighbor. Please dont hear me saying that these are bad things to ask for, because they are not; but in the last few months I have really begun to ask HIM for things that are outside my normal "prayer box". Things that seem like I am asking for too much, for too big!
Here is the thing though; they havent been too big for the Lord. They havent been to much, or too hard to handle, or even too full of audacity for the Creator of the universe. Instead, a neat thing has happened. As I have taken things before the throne, I have noticed a confidence that has invaded my conversations with Him. He has taken my requests, and made them grand, answering them in ways that only the Lord can answer. He has begun to weave story after story after story in my life that speaks of the grandness of God; but more than that, He has ignited in me a desire to ask for those big things, to almost dare God to work in a big way! I want to see the big things happen, not only in terms of hundreds of people coming to know Him, but in terms of one person taking one step closer to knowing the truth. I think it has a lot to do with perspective.
There is something else that I have learned lately. I learned it through this story. I was recently told that I had to move out of my apartment. This was frustrating to me for several reasons: that I was having to move again, and I felt like I was having to start over with new relationships and that I had to leave behind my neighbors, who have become like family to me. I was whining about this to a teammate, who is like a mom to me here, and she said this. It was really very simple.
She said, "Emily, have you ever thought to pray that God would move someone else in behind you, a local believer, who could pick up where you left off and move your neighbors closer to the cross?" NO!!! Of course I hadnt thought to pray that. In fact, I was a little insulted that she would even ask me to pray something like that! Why shouldnt I be the one that moved these people closer to the cross? NOt someone else.. I cant trust my precious neighbors with someone I dont even know!
Ahhh, but the perspective in Teri's words to me was so good. Pray something so far removed from yourself; pray something that is bigger than your limited, fleshly perspective! Oh how the situation changed when I began to see it in terms of something God was doing for His glory! And how I want to have that perspective all the time.
So raise the bar guys... I think that God wants something so much more than we often bring to Him. Paca

Betting

So most of you that are reading know that I have the propensity for getting myself into a little bit of trouble. Or at least, putting my foot in my mouth. I like to set things up so that I win, or at least come out ahead of the other people who are involved. I know that sounds terrible, but its true. I often do things without being completely informed about the thing I am discussing, challenging, or betting on. The following is an example.

I made a bet with Phil, a teammate here, at the beginning of the winter. Here is the bet: If I didnt fall all winter, then he owed me sushi. If I fell, but managed to pull him down with me, he owed me sushi.

I thought this was a win win situation. I didnt have a full understanding of a winter in KZ, or a winter in which a scarf is more than a fashion accessory. I thought that people would fall maybe once or twice during the winter, but those of us with superior balance and coordination wouldnt fall at all. So I went into this feeling pretty confident about my chances of collecting some GOOD sushi with this bet!

I made it through Christmas with no falls. My opponent, Phil, fell 5, thats right, 5 times, up until that point. Here is where I underestimated the competition. I thought surely, I would at least collect on some sushi over the holiday break, because I hadnt fallen at all.. and he had fallen 5 Times! But he stood fast- the winter isnt over, he chided.

Fast forward a few weeks later. We are getting on the bus, which by the way, was not my idea, when a patch of ice falls from the sky and trips me. I fall right down at the door to the bus, half afraid that the thing is going to start moving and run me over. I am paralyzed with laughter; no amount of struggling is going to get me up. Phil happens to be with me and pulls me up.

I want something to be very clear here. I had an opportunity to pull him down; to drag him under the bus with me, but I didnt do it. Why is that? you might be asking. I didnt pull him down because I am merciful! Thats right... I sacrificed the bet, the chance to eat free sushi, for another man's life!

Here is the pitiful thing about all of this. He doesnt see it my way. He still contends that he is winning, because not only did I fall, but I failed in my attempts to pull him down too. Since this day, I have fallen two more times, but I am still two falls away from his record of 5.

I think he can be convinced; but I need your help. If you are in favor of me still winning the bet, please make a comment on here. If you arent, please dont comment, as I want this to be as one sided as possible!

If you cant make it to Mecca...

Its cold here, really cold, so on a whim, I asked my language teacher if she would take us (her students) to her husbands home town, a city in the South of KZ. I didnt think she would say yes, and I didnt think that my teammates would go for it, but only three days after I mentioned this, we were on our way to Turkistan. This is an interesting city. Ancient in lifespan, it sits in the southern part of a country where Islam has become nominal at its greatest. The city is built around an ancient mausoleum; the tradition is that for those Muslims that cannot make it to Mecca for their hajj, that they can actually make two trips to this place, and that will be sufficient. I had seen pictures of this place before, but I was not ready for the intricate beauty that this old building held. We were not allowed to take pictures inside, but I will try to paint a picture. People filing in, placing money in the alms bins, rubbing the walls of the tombs, praying at the tombs to the people in the graves; there was such a reverence and worship there. It was eerie. There was also such a spirit of evil, of bondage. What a picture the Lord gave me of a faith that is based on nothing that is eternal. Those heroes of the Islamic faith, or at least of the Kazakh tradition, are in the grave. They arent going anywhere; nor is there any work left for them to do. How different is that from the man who defeated death and the grave! If you ever get a chance to go to a mosque or a mausoleum, please take it. It will change the way that you intercede on the behalf of millions of people who hate everything you stand for.

I couldnt resist putting this picture on here. Here we are again, cramped in the backseat of a car; with our winter warmest. I think we could have fit one more person!

Thats right... an entire city built out of ice!

For a Southern girl like me, there is nothing stranger than snow and ice. Having seen it a total of three or four times while growing up in Shreveport (not counting trips to Colorado to ski), the thought of it every day is quite exciting. I still get giddy when I see fresh flakes falling, and every new snow provides the temptation of a snow angel or a snowball fight. Anyway, they have this thing here called "Ice City". It is an entire "city" built out of bricks of ice. It is pretty incredible. There are statues, houses and castles, and my favorite, slides made of ice for sledding.

We are on the way to Ice City! There are so many of us crammed into that Jeep. The winter clothes dont help.

People actually fling themlseves down this thing. I have no idea what the appeal is, as it scared me to death. Its cool to see though.

This is my sweet little team, minus Steph. Arent we a sight? From left: Jon, Jake, Em, Phil, Scott

Jenn and I, imitating the sculpture. We need a lot of work. I'm trying not to fall at this point.

Well, Christmas came and has gone! Along with 3 HUGE plastic tubs filled with more food and goodies than we will be able to eat in a year (or maybe a few months), Santa Claus also brought my family to KZ. Mom, Dad, and Jenn all made the 32 hr trip across three continents to spend about three weeks here. They got to see where I live, who I love, and experience the sickness and uneasiness that comes with eating way too much food at local people's houses! While I know my mother would love me to recount every story from their time here, I'm only going to share my favorite.

It happened is Astana, during one of our "church" times. My fam, along with my team leader, sat in with us during our time. Usually we sing, read, study and discuss the Book, and lift each other up. We had a time of singing where we could request songs. I requested Victory in Jesus, mainly because of my dad. It is his favorite hymn, and I have many memories of him singing that old hymn to me on the swing set in our back yard. Now, we have sung that song together many times in my life, but something about singing about the thing that so many here dont understand was incredible. It was so sweet. Thanks Dad; for a memory was worth more than buying swords, stuffing our faces, or rearranging my house!
Enjoy the pictures!!

Mom and Dad on their first day in country. They look pretty good for no sleep and a hot water shortage! Mom's fur coat made us laugh the entire time. It seemed like the outfit grew each time we left the house. If we wanted to leave, we told Mom to start getting ready about 20 minutes before we started to leave!

Me and Jenn when we did Christmas with the other JMEN.

The hats! They had a mind of their own. But leaving the house without one is a no no here. I'm not sure what we were doing!
Jenn and I inside the fake mosque at a tourist attraction here. Notice that my head is covered; I'm trying to be a good Muslim!
Jenn and I at the most famous attraction in Astana. It has an incredible view of the city! Check out the winter garb. So many clothes; and yes, they have to be put on EVERY TIME you leave the house!

They call me a wanderer

I have spent a lot of time in the past month travelling. I have been to several cities, and on many VERY LONG train rides. The best thing that has come from these trips, besides getting to see some parts of KZ that I have never seen before, was the time that I got to spend listening to music. I have always loved music, thanks to people in my life while I was growing up that thought it important, but lately, the lyrics to hymns, praise songs, and just songs written for the purpose of personal worship have spoken deeply and strongly to my heart. Here are a few of my favorites lately. I'm including only snipets. As you read these, let them really sink in. Its good stuff.

" Great is thy faithfulness! All I have needed THY hand HAS provided! ... A peace that endureth; thine own sweet presence to cheer and to guide"

Great is Thy Faithfulness

"A life you cannot define, a purpose thats benign. They need to see and believe, be led to the rugged tree. An unfair deal on the part of Christ: He got my sin, I got eternal life. Make me the breath of God."

Breath of God- Shane and Shane

"In Christ Alone, my hope is found. He is my life, my strength, my song. This cornerstone, this solid ground; firm through the fiercest drought and storm. In Christ alone, who took on flesh, fullness of God in helpless babe; this gift of love and righteousness, scorned by the ones He came of save. There in the ground his body lay, light of the world by darkness slain; then bursting forth in glorious day; UP FROM THE GRAVE HE ROSE AGAIN! And as He stands in VICTORY, sins curse has lost its grip on me. For I am His and He is mine- Bought with the precious blood of Christ. No power of hell nor scheme of man can ever pluck me from His hand. Til He returns or calls me home. Here in the palm of Christ I stand."

In Christ Alone- Avalon

"My chains are gone; I've been set free. My God My Savior has ransomed me. And like a flood, His mercy reigns, Unending love, amazing grace! The Lord has promised good to me, His Word, my hope, secures. He will my share and portion be as long as life endures"

My Chains are Gone (sung with Amazing Grace)- Chris Tomlim

And finally, this has become my favorite song of the hour. I have no idea why this one wins the award today, but something about the way this man sings Hallelujah makes me wants to stand with the angels up there and belt it out with him. Here are the words. I encourage you to find it for yourself though, and at least give it a listen. It is GOOD! Please find this song. The mere words on this page dont do it justice.

"There's a man in on corner and his clothes are worn And he's holding out his hand You could see in his eyes as the people walk by He knows they don't understand Ya see they just think he's gonna take their money And go and spend it all on dope Then a man stopped by and I saw a smile inside As he gently whispered hope Well the tramp started to cry, just kept saying, "Why? why? why? Could you see I'm a dying tonight Well I'm 32 and I've got this one pair of shoes And a bad taste in my mouth I think it's clear to see that even God don't love me Or else why would He leave me this way." Then Gabriel just smiled and said be peaced my child Salvation is here today He got up to his feet and he sang Hallelujah People were turning around in the street He looked them in the eyes and he sang, "Hallelujah There's someone here that you gotta meet Someone you just gotta meet." When the vagabond turned around well without a sign Gabriel just smiled and disappeared Then he looked to the crowd and they were laughing out loud But he could not see them fore tears When his vision came round There was a young girl on the ground I knew she was fine and hard to cope She never was a fighter until he laid beside her And gently whispered hope They got up to their feet and they sang Hallelujah People in the street were turning around They looked them in the eyes and they sang, "Hallelujah There's someone here we have found" They sang, "Hallelujah, Hallelujah We are the voices crying in the wilderness Hallelujah, Hallelujah." The people in the street started their sins to confess And a chorus of, "Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah Every knee will bow and every tongue confess and the voice of one crying in the wilderness crying Hallelujah, Hallelujah"

Gabriel and the Vagabond- Foy Vance

Happy listening to all of you! Much love. I promise soon I will actually put updated pictures and stories on the blog. Its one of my goals this year: to make keeping in touch and keeping those of you who are interested up to date on life!