KatyBug

I know I don't use this blog much anymore and I don't even know if there are people who ever read it. Some of you may get the blog in an email, I don't know. Anyways, I wanted to use my blog today for an awareness letter. In the pictures above, this is my friend Katy Bug. Katy and I met when she was living at Hosanna Home. She finished her program in March 2010. She and I have kept in touch and continued our friendship. This picture here is from December 2010. In just 9 months, Katy has relapsed very bad. Katy's story is very unfortunate, but here's the gist. She was raised in Alex City with parents who both used recreational drugs. When she was 9 years old, she began on this track as well. She dropped out of school at 13 and was a full blown crack addict by age 15. She completed the year long program at Hosanna Home and did pretty well for a few weeks. Since she still can't retain the knowledge to get her GED, she couldn't find jobs and obviously was back in her old living conditions. While Katy has responsibility in this as well, most of it just seems like a vicious cycle of death. I kept thinking to myself, 'What else do you expect from a child like this, really?' The Lord finally brought Katy to rock bottom.

Join with me in rejoicing that today Katy started a whole new journey for her life. I took her to the Teen Challenge Columbus Women's Home. Teen Challenge is a 12-18 month faith based recovery program. After working in this ministry, I loved the discipline and structure and encouraged Katy to try again to get her life back on track. After 2 months of what felt like a roller coaster, the Lord finally opened this door and made a way for Katy to get some help. As you can see, she is dear to my heart. She has a heart of gold and desires Jesus and wants to know more. Neither of her parents have jobs and she has no home church. I am asking you to help me financially support her as her church. We as the body of Christ are called to be the church and to help those in need. Yes, Katy has been through things and made unwise decisions in her life but so have each of us. And just as 'His mercies never to an end and are new every morning' for us, it is also true for Katy (Lamentations 3:22). If you can sponsor Katy with a monthly gift, that would be awesome. If not, maybe you can send a one-time gift. If you cannot support her financially, please just keep her in your prayers. She is only 21 and is en route to help serve a community instead of destroying it. If you can support here's the address. * * Make sure on the memo line that you put Katy Allen's Sponsorship.

Teen Challenge Columbus Women (make out the check to here as well)

14 Motts Dr.

Seale, AL 36875

If you want to support Katy monthly, contact me and I'll mail you a letter that explains how to pledge and do that.

Thanks for reading and supporting Katy.

Glacier National Park

Where's Browndy?

I'm not so sure what's about to come out of this blog but I feel like it's time to update my internet diary. Living in Montana isn't the dream I thought it would be when I moved here. I keep myself busy working 3-4 times a week at a Childcare place called Cuddle Bugs where I wipe snot, change diapers, sing silly songs, and tell kiddos "no" a hundred times a day. Most of my shifts start at 6:45 AM which isn't my favorite time of the day anyways. Then, I work Saturday and Sundays here at the Center of Teen Challenge with the girls. I live with 20 women and usually get up once a week or so in the middle of the night to get someone meds. I watch Auburn football at a bar or in my room all by myself. Actually, due to the lack of community I have, I do most things by myself. Don't get me wrong, I love most of it here. It's getting colder and the views are breathtaking. The children are precious and keep me laughing and going. The ladies here are like sisters and I love seeing them grow and being a part of what the Lord is speaking into their lives on a daily basis. It's just difficult to be somewhere by myself and having the only friends be here or on staff here. For instance, if I wanted to go hang out with one of my friends on staff, another staff would have to take the shift but we don't have that many staff so no one can ever get off together. Most of the evenings I sit in my room and am really lonely and bored because my girls are in their classes so I can't bother them. There is a 21 month old that lives here that has blessed me intently. She and I spend alot of time together playing!! :D

However, it's definitely the hardest thing I've committed to. Many nights are lonely and I question lots of truth. I think boredom is a weakness for me. When I was a child, that's when I would cut my own hair, call Wal Marts, or do something to terrorize my little sister. In high school it was when I would go out and get into things that were entertaining for the moment. Now, it leads to questioning the Lord and trying to figure out things on my own. One of the ways I feel like I'm dealing with it all is every time these moments come, I turn to the Lord in thankfulness. When I feel lonely, I think Him for how many incredible people He has placed in my life. I have so many wonderful friends that I surely don't deserve. I only know what I am missing here friendship-wise because I have experienced real friendships in my life. Not many people experience real Spirit-led friendships. I am so blessed to have know community in college and what community looks like when Jesus is the center of it. Yes, it hurts like crazy because I miss it all but it's beautiful what He has blessed me with. When I am bored, I am thankful for how many things I have gotten to do in my life;trips to Israel, Nicaragua, Mexico, Haiti, Hong Kong, and more that have been used to shape who I am. Sports that taught me so much about team work and loyalty and perseverance. When I feel like I am not equipped to be here I am thankful that I am still learning and He is giving me this opportunity to learn more. I read something today on a friend's blog that rocked my little world. It said:

He gives me grace for what IS, not what IF.

And if one of the what if's happened, then there'd be His supply for that need right then as well.

It's so true. I cannot write down how many what if's I have placed in my head the last few months. He gives me grace for today and promises me good out of every situation and circumstance that occurs. She also said, "He brings about NEW situations so that we can become NEW in character." This is my prayer from the beginning and I am clinging to it today. May I be more like Jesus after every season He takes me through. I am holding tight to this truth today and I hope it encourages others.

Moving to Montana.

These are pictures from last weekend at Rock Creek. Sonja and I went up and spent the day Saturday with Lindsey and her family.

A cool shot of the train coming thru.

Me and Sonja

Me and Linz

Me and Sonja with the Wise Family

Me and the River

So, I wanted to let those of you who don't already know that I am moving to Montana until December. Teen Challenge has asked me to stay on as staff and work the weekend shifts as well as living here with the girls. I am in the process of interviewing for another part time job somewhere maybe in childcare. This means I will be taking the semester off from Auburn but will resume in the Spring. I'm learning so much here so I don't think taking a semester off quite justifies my learning. There are things I learn here that I could never learn in a class room. However, I want to finish school and love the Social Work program at Auburn so I will definitely be heading back to finish up. This decision came with many prayers and many opened and closed doors. I never actually heard the voice of the Lord instruct me here, but I did pray for opened doors that would point me in the right direction. My parents allowed this to be my decision which really was a blessing to have their approval. Of course, I think they really don't like the whole idea since they value school but they trust my judgment and walk with the Lord. At this point, I honestly don't know if I am making a huge mistake or not but I do know that the Lord promises His children that in all things, He works situations out for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). Not only do I love Him, but I love the work He is doing in and through the women here in Teen Challenge. I also love the work He is doing in me. There are many places in my life that still need healing and discipline and I find that through the staff and the mentors here. He is stretching me beyond what I knew I could do and the leadership I could hold. Being responsible for 20 + women is no joke. Many days I am frustrated, disappointed, angry, and filled with my flesh but He is really teaching me how to love and serve others each day. I love Montana. It's absolutely beautiful and I always like to be a part of an adventure and this probably is one of the biggest adventures of my life yet. I will be home the 16-21 to get some stuff and see my friends and family. Please let me know if you are available and want to hang out. I am trusting that the Lord has His hand in this whole move even if it seems off the wall. I am just letting Him drive while I enjoy Him in the passenger's seat. I would greatly appreciate your prayers as I walk thru this. Thanks for following my blog.

Things Ahead at Teen Challenge:

August 28-30 Spiritual Emphasis Camp for all students, staff, and alumni- Medical Lake in Washington

September 12- Sarah Palin will be here in Missoula to host a one night event fundraising for us to remodel our house. We will get to meet her and hear about her desire for God, Country, and Family

October 25- Brandy's Birthday :)

Perfume and Tears

When reading the all too familiar story of Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman passage of Luke 7:36-50, God put a completely new meaning on my heart. The word is speaking of a woman who "had lived a sinful life." (guilty, that means me too). This woman stood at the feet of Jesus with her Alabaster Jar. The Alabaster Jar represents something a woman would put her most valuable perfume in. The symbolism is that the jar represents the one thing women valued the most both in cost and in meaning. Perfume was a very highly respected item by women and it wasn't cheap, but very costly. Not only did the woman bring Jesus her Alabaster Jar of perfume but she also wept at his feet. Tears- the powerful sign of pain, suffering, shame, disappointment, fear, or regret. Drops that detailed so much of her "sinful life." She washes Jesus' feet with both the perfume and the tears. She brings both the most valuable thing in her life and the hardest things in her life and sets them both at the feet of Jesus. The jar that could have possibly been the only thing in her life worth any value and the tears that came from anything less than what she should have valued. She brings them both. The Lord wants us to bring both as well. He wants us to bring the bad and the good, the valuable, and the crap. He wants what we do well and what we can't. He wants our successes and our failures. He wants it ALL. What better place to bring it ALL than at the foot of our Savior?

learning..

This may sound weird, but one thing I am learning so much about is the enemy. I know learning about Satan doesn't sound encouraging but it actually is. I am learning about who he is and what he is trying to do to steal the testimony of a believer. You know, he can't steal our salvation so the only thing left is our testimonies. The Lord is opening my eyes to how much he torments and lies to believers and in that, hinders our walk of freedom and redemption in Christ. I see it every single day here at Teen Challenge. This group of women are so incredibly bold, passionate and devoted to their Lord Jesus Christ. However, the enemy knew that the Lord created these women that way. For so long Satan has deceived us with lies and false realities because he knows what an impact these women have on the Kingdom of God. The good news is, Satan is stronger than us but not stronger than Jesus-the one who defeated and conquered death and ripped the power away from sin. And, when these beautiful women of God run to Jesus, He breaks these lies and chains that have entrapped them for so long. Obviously, these are the most passionate people I have ever met. They were created to be! Praise God that the enemy has no power over them and in Jesus' name, they have power over him! Praise to the Lord!

Sweet Tea and Indian Taco's

On Friday night one of the staff members, Barb, invited Lindsey and I to her house. She grew up in Virginia and promised me she knew how to make sweet tea. She asked for us to come over and she would cook Indian tacos for us. The tacos were incredible. They are served on an "Indian fried bread," and then you put all your toppings on top. Mine was loaded with sour creme, beans, meat, cheese, tomatoes, onions, lettuce, and I think that's it. They were delicious! However, the sweet tea was absolutely incredible. I was close to making a trip to McDonalds just for a large sweet tea before Barb's house. I didn't know I would miss sweet tea as much as I do.

The evening was wonderful. After dinner we went on a 2 1/2 hour hike in the mountains behind her house. Remember, it doesn't get dark here until 11. The hike was beautiful and I loved just being in awe of our Creator. His mountains, trees, and sunsets just reveal His majesty. Montana is surely a beautiful state.

Weekend in Wyoming.

This weekend was a blessing. The Lord worked it out so that I could take off and go to Buffalo, WY with my friend Lindsey. Lindsey is on staff here with me and is from Buffalo. She invited me to go home with her for the weekend to see Wyoming and meet her folks. The drive was a good 7 hours, but it was breathtaking. I don't think I'll ever get used to these incredible mountains. There are mountains, valleys, hills, rivers, cliffs, and deer all along the road from Missoula to Buffalo. We spent the weekend relaxing by eating good food, sleeping late, and watching movies. Her dad didn't know we were coming so it was fun to surprise him. I got to meet her grandparents, cousin, friends from home, etc. Buffalo is such a neat city with a cute little downtown. Lindsey has been an incredible blessing for me since I've been here. She's 25 and has been through the Teen Challenge program here in Missoula. She finished the entire program and stayed here to finish college and work alongside the ministry. She does take-in, requests, and really pretty much everything. She's an awesome role model for the girls and myself and perfect to talk to and receive advice. I'm confident the Lord put her here to challenge and disciple me. It's a unique little community they have going on here and my favorite part is that we have all been in bondage to some kind of addiction or controlling issue. It's cool to finally be able to talk and understand more about myself and searching into what the Lord has for my future.

I've began working on Beth Moore's book When Godly People Do Ungodly Things. It's absolutely fantastic but very challenging. I love how the more we think we've got "it," the more He reveals to us that we never fully will. I just wanted to throw that out there to whoever wants to read it. Actually, I don't know who even reads this thing right now since I'm not out of the country but if you do, I pray that it blesses you and that you would feel welcomed to write or encourage me whenever. By the way, my address here is

Brandy Brendle
3815 South 7th W.
Missoula, MT 59804

Hopefully more pictures to come... stay tuned :)

Missoula, MT

Just a quick update.
I am here in Missoula working at the Teen Challenge Montana Outreach. There are 16 ladies here who are being restored and redeemed with the grace of Jesus Christ. The facility consists of four bedrooms for the ladies (housing 4 each) with one bathroom per bedroom, a classroom, a chapel room, the staff bedroom/bathroom (where I stay), offices, living room, and of course, a kitchen. It's a very nice facility with even nicer people. The staff is absolutely incredible. It consists of about 5 girls close to my age who are extremely devoted in their walks with Jesus, 4 of whom graduated through the Teen Challenge program with incredible testimonies. I love seeing success. No success means more to me than to see people succeed in declaring their freedom and power over the enemy, his lies, and his bondage. This place is full of the Holy Spirit. Many of the women have their own prayer languages, and every morning I feel His presence when we all stand in the living room and worship for 30 minutes before the day begins. He is so faithful to His children. He longs for us to find freedom in Him.

I have horses and mountains for neighbors. Everywhere I turn, mountains.

Things to be prayed for:
-continued easy adjustment for me
-women to open up and allow the Lord to use me to speak truth and love into their lives
-DISCERNMENT and WISDOM!
-fast pace of training
-some kind of transportation for my off days

-GLORY TO HIM FOR WHAT'S BEING DONE HERE.

Salvation in Taiwan.

I have so much to write about. I have seen three miraculous things but I have to tell you about the one that kept me up last night. The last thing we did yesterday was head to the Taipei Night Market. After dinner and shopping, we headed home on the MRT. Cindy Lee's friend who we had been trying to reach all night finally called us while we were headed home on the train. We decided to go meet her anyways. This friend named Olga is the manager over all the Timberland stores in Taiwan (she's a big deal). She's also a mentor and Christian friend of Cindy's. We met her at one of her stores and this beautiful woman was shining at the first glance. After introductions, the very first thing she asked was if we would pray for her store manager. We had just gotten to the store and thought we would look around but God had bigger things in store. She introduced us to the most precious, naturally beautiful 29 year old friend named Dada. This had to have been the most divine appointment I have ever been apart of. Dada is an unbeliever but said it was ok that we pray for her. Olga wanted so bad for her to know Jesus and felt like the Lord brought us there for that specific purpose. So, she took all of us to the back of the store to a small "warehouse closet". Me, Olga, Cindy and Dada all fit in a little nook while the rest of the team lined the walls. Without knowing anything about her except she was not saved, and with prayer completly by translation, I laid my hands on Dada. As we prayed, the Holy Spirit flowed out of both me and the translator. I just prayed so hard bc I knew this was way to coincidental to not have purpose. I　ｐｒａｙｅｄ　ｂｏｌｄｌｙ　ｉｎ　Ｊｅｓｕｓ’　ｎａｍｅａｓｋｉｎｇ　ｆｏｒ　ｓａｌｖａｔｉｏｎ　ａｎｄ　ａｌｓｏ　ｒｅｌａｙｉｎｇ　ｔｈｅ　ｗｏｒｄｓ　ｔｈｅ　Ｌｏｒｄ　ｌａｉｄ　ｏｎ　ｍｙ　ｈｅａｒｔ　ｔｏ　ｔｅｌｌ　ｈｅｒ　ｈｏｗ　ｍｕｃｈ　ｓｈｅ　ｗａｓ　ｌｏｖｅｄ．　Ｉ　ｔｏｌｄ　ｈｅｒ　ｔｈａｔ　ａｔ　ｓｏｍｅ　ｐｏｉｎｔ　ｍｏｎｅｙ，　ｍａｎ’ｓ　ｌｏｖｅ，　ａｌｃｏｈｏｌ，　ａｎｄ　ｓｅｌｆ　ｗｏｕｌｄ　ｎｏｔ　ｂｅ　ｅｎｏｕｇｈ　ｔｏ　ｓａｔｉｓｆｙ　ｔｈｅ　ｅｍｐｉｔｎｅｓｓ　ｉｎ　ｈｅｒ　ｈｅａｒｔ，　ｂｕｔ　ｔｈａｔ　ｉｎ　ｈｅｒ　ｏｗｎ　ｔｉｍｅ　Ｇｏｄ　ｗｏｕｌｄ　ｂｅ　ｔｈｅｒｅ　ｔｏ　ｄｏ　ｊｕｓｔ　ｔｈａｔ．　Ｈｅ　ｓｐｏｋｅ　Ｈｉｓ　ｓｏｖｅｒｅｉｎｔｙ　ｔｏ　ｍｅ　ｔｈｒｕ　Ｒｏｍａｎｓ　９：１６．　Ｉ　ｊｕｓｔ　ｋｎｅｗ　ｔｈａｔ　Ｈｅ　ｗａｓ　ｒｅａｌｌｙ　ｓｔｉｒｒｉｎｇ　ｈｅｒ　ｈｅａｒｔ．　Ｗｈｅｎ　Ｉ　ｆｉｎｉｓｈｅｄ　ｐｒａｙｉｎｇ，　ｍｙ　ｔｅａｍ　ｌｅｆｔ　ｂｕｔ　ｍｅ，　ｄａｄａ，　ｏｌｇａ，　ａｎｄ　ｃｉｎｄｙ　ｓｔａｙｅｄ　ｉｎ　ｔｈｅ　ｒｏｏｍ．　Ｉasked about her life and she informed me that she lives with her boyfriend and wants to try church. At this time, the Lord moved me to share a little bit of my story and then just that He wants her to be loved, satisfied and complete. My heart raced as she cried and the translators went back and forth. Even though it's completely agaisnt Asian culture, I wrapped my arms around her and told her Iｌｏｅｖｄ　ｈｅｒ．　Ｗｅ　ｌｅｆｔ　ｔｈｅ　ｃｌｏｓｅｔ　ａｎｄ　ａｌｌ　ｗｅｎｔ　ｔｏ　ａ　ｔｅａ　ｓｈｏｐ．　Ｉｎ　ｔｈａｔ　ｔｅａ　ｓｈｏｐ，　ｌａｓｔ　ｎｉｇｈｔ　ａｔ　ｍｉｄｎｉｇｈｔ，　ｖｉａ　ｔｗｏ　ｔｒａｎｓｌａｔｏｒｓ　ａｎｄ　ａ　ｐａｓｓｉｏｎａｔｅ　ｇｒｏｕｐ　ｏｆ　ｂｅｌｉｅｖｅｒｓ，　ｔｈｅ　Ｌｏｒｄ　ｇｏｔ　ａｎｏｔｈｅｒ　ｃｈｉｌｄ　ｂａｃｋ　ｉｎ　Ｈｉｓ　ａｒｍｓ．　

Ｄａｄａ　ａｓｋｅｄ　ａｂｏｕｔ　ｏｕｒ　ｒｅｌｉｇｉｏｎ．　Ｓｈｅ　ｈａｄ　ｇｒｏｗｎ　ｕｐ　ｗｉｔｈ　ｐａｒｅｎｔｓ　ｗｈｏ　ｐｒａｃｔｉｃｅｄ　ｓｏｍｅ　ｔｙｐｅ　ｏｆ　Ｔａｉｏｉｓｍ　ｂｕｔ　ｓｈｅ　ｗａｓｎ’ｔ　ｂｅｌｉｅｖｉｎｇ　ａｎｙｔｈｙｉｎｇ　ｒｅａｌｌｙ．　Ｔｈｅｎ　ｓｈｅ　ｓａｉｄ　ｔｈｅ　ｏｎｅ　ｔｈｉｎｇ　ｔｈａｔ　ｌｉｔｅｒａｌｌｙ　ｍａｄｅ　ｍｅ　ｂｕｓｔ　ｉｎｔｏ　ｔｅａｒｓ．　ｔｈｅ　ｏｎｅ　ｔｈｉｎｇ　ｔｈａｔ　ｈａｓ　ｂｒｏｋｅｎ　ｍｙ　ｈｅａｒｔ　ａｌｌ　ｙｅａｒ．　Ｓｈｅ　ｓａｉｄ　ｔｈａｔ　ｗｈｅｎ　ｓｈｅ　ｈｕｒｔｓ，　ｓｈｅ　ｗｉｌｌ　ｇｏ　ｏｕｔ　ｗｉｔｈ　ｈｅｒ　ｆｒｉｅｎｄｓ　ａｎｄ　ｈａｖｅ　ｄｒｉｎｋｓ　ｕｎｔｉｌ　ｓｈｅ　ｉｓ　ｄｒｕｎｋ．　Ｉ　ａｓｋｅｄ　ｈｅｒ　ｉｆ　ｔｈａｔ　ｒｅａｌｌｙ　ｓｏｌｖｅｄ　ｈｅｒ　ｐｒｏｂｌｅｍ　ｏｒ　ｈｅａｌｅｄ　ｈｅｒ　ｐａｉｎ　ａｎｄ　ｓｈｅ　ｒｅｓｐｏｎｄｅｄ，　Ｎｏ．　Ｉ　ｔｏｌｄ　ｈｅｒ　Ｉwas crying becuase Iｈａｄ　ｂｅｅｎ　ｔｈｅｒｅ　ｂｅｆｏｒｅ．　Ｉ　ｈａｖｅ　ｔｒｉｅｄ　ｆｉｌｌｉｎｇ　ｔｈａｔ　ｖｏｉｄ　ｗｉｔｈ　ａｌｃｈｏｌ　ａｎｄ　Ｉpromised her that just like now, it will never heal her pain. I told her that love from a man would not fill it either, I'd tried that too. At this point, my precious friend, Cindy spoke for a few moments about a relationship with Jesus in Chinese. None of us know what was being said, but our spirits and hearts were intertwined. We all just prayed and prayed for salvation. All of the sudden, Cindy turned to us and said, ok She wants to accept Jesus. Astonished, we all laid hands on her and prayed. Cindy told us that she told Dada that she didn't have to make a decision now but that God was always ready for her. But, Dada insisted that she wanted it now. His kingdom came down and grace was at it's best.

I guess tea will forever remind me of this precious moment. At midnight, my new sister, Dada was born. The Lord answered prayer, and even used me in His bigger plan. We also prayed over Olga and the coninuing of discipleship and friendship. When we were leaving, Iｒｅｃｅｉｖｅｄ　ｔｈｅ　ｍｏｓｔ　ａｍａｚｉｎｇ　ｈｕｇ　ｆｒｏｍ　ａｎ　Ａｓａｉｎ　Ｉhad met in a closet just a few hours before. I'll neverfor get the night salvation came at a Tea Shop in Taipei, Taiwan. Glory to my Jesus.

Taiwan #4- More of You and Less of Me

This morning, I titled my journal page "More of you and less than me."
You know those days where you wake up and literally nothing goes right? For example, this morning I woke up late. I had to take a shower which here in Asia means nothing really because you sweat the moment you turn the water off. Therefore, my hair never leaves it's ponytail. Anyways, I was late for breakfast which I ate too much and then felt way too full. You all know it's a horrible thing to feel huge on Sunday mornings. haha. We were to lead church this morning by doing a song and also I would share my testimony. I then heard it had to be only 10 minutes so once again, I was a little frustrated. The morning is almost in action when we were practicing our music in the room and I broke a string on my guitar. UH only 6 min. before the service started and the time we've used to practice, all put to waste. Boy oh Boy. Fortuanately the song really only uses this string like once so it didn't affect the sound. (not that I'm aware of)

With all this craziness, I ran to the throne. Literally, as I was journaling and praying over my morning I just could only ask Him to come help. I needed Him to speak. For some reason, I was just really adamant about them understanding what He wanted to tell them. The Christians here are similar to those in America who are just walking around like mummies in the Church. Dead to the actual life that comes when one walks with Jesus. I knew at this point that I had come to an end of myself this morning. I knew it. My teammates knew it. HE knew it. HE LOVED IT.

The Lord loves to be our strength in our weakest moments. "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

Good thing, huh? I was able to finish my testimony and play the song. During the testimony, the Lord really went into action in the lives of the people. I was really glad I stepped out of the way to let Him speak. It's a beautiful thing to see His people hear not only with their ears but with their hearts. The woman who was supposed to lead the verse even got a little choked up. hehe.

To close, I want to tell you what the Lord shared through me this morning. Something I too easily forget. HE REALLY LOVES EACH ONE OF US. He doesn't want us to feel lonely, deserted, unloved, scared, fearful, or caught up in things that can't fill that void in our hearts. He is more than enough to feel that void with life. He loves us so much despite our weaknesses and wants us to follow Him. He wants to be with us. And, He wants to use us.

When asked why I come to Taiwan, my response is always this: I want to share with others the LOVE that Jesus has shared with me. It is only when you really know the Father's love for you that you can truly love others. Please grasp that today. How great the Father's love for us...

1 John 4 "This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. We love because he first loved us."

"The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." Galations 5:6
I would encourage you to really love others today. Express Yourself.

Taiwan ... 9 days.

In just 9 days, I will be getting on a plane to head off to Taiwan. The next two weeks will be quite stressful; I can take it. Last night my precious Mom and sister met me in Auburn and together we served the graduate ladies of Hosanna Home. I have been working on a slideshow for their gift and we watched that after dinner. I am still in love with this ministry as much as I was the day I started. It is incredible the way the Lord will break your heart for where you are. It's funny to think that a little over a year ago, I wrestled with the fact that Jesus loved me. Now, I grasp and cling to the fact and it allows me to pour out and love so many others who are in desperate need. I thought I went out to Hosanna to serve these women. I have received haircuts, prayers, encouragement, countless meals, hugs, laughter, fun times, and plenty of memories. You always are blessed more in return. I am going to be gone while these ladies leave in June, July, and August and the Lord keeps reminding me that even though I want to hold their hands as they walk out the door, His hands are bigger than mine and they are holding them forever. He is also reminding me that it is Him IN each one of the ladies that draws me to them. I am so excited to meet the women in Montana where I am working this summer. First I am excited about being back in Asia. Honestly, I don't know what to think/how to feel/what to say. I just never thought I would be back again. I am excited but I am depending on the Lord to prepare my heart in His timing. I am a little under the weather and finals are this week so I would appreciate your prayers to just persevere through this and then my journey for the summer will begin!

Haiti: The Children.