A peek into my heart...

Each time I sit down to blog and type in a post title, a new song comes to mind. Cathy & I worship together a couple of times each week. It's such a sweet time. We love fun, new songs, but it is funny to me that we always find ourselves going back to the hymns of old. They just always seem to give me the words that my heart is feeling.

I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene.

Great is thy faithfulness, Great is thy faithfulness;

Morning by morning new mercies I see.

All I have needed, thy hand hath provided;

Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.

~Heather

All in a Day's Journey

An email came on Friday evening that threw the schedule for a loop, to say the least. We were informed that we needed to make a quick journey to the bordering country in the north. Now, when I say "quick," that is a relative term. It needed to take place soon. It did take place soon; it did not happen quickly.

See, there was a possibility that we would be required to remain outside of India for a couple of months. I found it quite challenging to locate and pack all that I may need for two months in a small, carry-on sized suitcase. However, I did, in fact, pack what I decided I needed, if indeed, we had to remain out of our country for an extended amount of time.

The Father provided way for us to exit and reenter the country within the week. What a blessing! I am thrilled to be headed home to M-town. We haven't yet made it there, but hope to continue the journey shortly and reach home by noon tomorrow.

The following is a short recap of the today's return travel:

• Just after breakfast, I finalized the repacking of everything for the return trip.
• We walked the long driveway with all of our belongings in tow.
• After a short walk down the road, we perched ourselves, and our bags, on a bicycle rickshaw.
• The rickshaw took us to the border (approximately 5 or 6 kilometers) and stayed with us the duration of the immigration process.
• After reentering India, I bargained with a taxi to bring us to another city.
• The taxi journey lasted just over 5 hours.
• During that journey, some road rage got the best of our driver, and he pulled over to physically and verbally fight with the driver of another vehicle.
• A small, mild mannered man had ridden in the taxi with us and got out of the car to quietly encourage our driver to let things be and continue our travels.
• Once reaching our destination, we were dropped off at the train station.
• We are now waiting for the train to come. It is only running 30 minutes late, so far.
• We will board the train for a 9 1/2 hour trip to M-town.
• Once we reach M-town, we will climb the steep steps of the city bus to ride about an hour, to a point close to home.
• We will drag ourselves down Pothole Lane and finally reach home sweet home.

Home again, home again, jiggity jig!
I will certainly do a jig, if I have the energy to do so.
Every single day is full of adventure!

~Heather

*Praise the Father for traveling mercies and the ability to exit and reenter the country without difficulty.
*Praise the Father for His guidance in each step.
*Ask the Father to guide others as they will have to complete a similar journey.
*Ask the Father to provide physical, emotional, and spiritual renewal.
*Ask the Father to ordain opportunities to share the story of the Birth of His Son during this joyous season.

Here and Not There

There is hardly a worse feeling than being unable to help. Not, "oh, I wish I could but I have an appointment," or "I don't know how to do that, I am sorry;" but, a literal inability to do. It is a frustrating paralyzation when one realizes that the situation requires more and is indefinitely out of reach. When a simple hug, a strong embrace, would alleviate much of the tension, the inter-turmoil, surrounding, engulfing, a precious one, but you just can't get your hands untied. What to do?

If I let this stew long enough, it leads to disgusting characteristics - a pity for myself, and because I pity myself, a slight contempt for others. Why go there?

I must interject that it is in this time that I am eternally grateful that my counseling program is hip to boundaries. We are taught to maintain boundaries, to not weave in and out of the client's experience, not to counsel from our own experience, but from objectivity. To throw someone a rope, down a hole, amongst the mud, and not climb down in the hole with them and sit. To be empathic and not sympathetic.

Heather is a long way away tonight. Days upon days are starting to way intolerably. I sit here and not there, painfully aware of my inability, wanting to trust the Lord with this situation. Isn't that where help truly begins?

~Sarah

From Time to Time I Recall...

"Whoever restrains his words has knowledge,and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding." Proverbs 17:27

Papaw did not like to venture outside of Sabine County and found particular favor for his small cedar-sided house. But there exists a hope that can make a homebody want to travel. He was tired. He was ready. And, some Septembers ago, four to be exact, Papaw went home.

Vivid memories of those few hours, before Papaw died, still float around. Dear friends stayed up late with me, drove me to the airport, gave me comfort. I flew, on Continental, from Nashville, to Houston. My cousin Anthony took me from the airport to the hospital. I was wearing a pink, long sleeve oxford, khaki shorts and slouchy, brown leather flip flops. His chest heaving sharply for breath. His swollen, taut skin. Tired family napping in the chapel, sitting in the hospital room. The few moments we shared, just he and I. And thirty minutes later, a room full of family watching, as the nurse checked his vitals, and then told us she was sorry. The sigh of emotion, relief, grief....peace.

A man, I had never laid eyes on, who's twig is somehow affix to our family tree, preached the funeral. He was long winded. But, he illuminated a bit of Papaw's character that is often the encouragement to conviction. As he labored behind the pulpit, trying to do his best, he recalled Papaw's manner of reflection, his slowness to speak, his caution in answering. He noted, "there were times when you thought he wasn't going to answer..." He went on to explain that Papaw said little that was not weighed. And, because of this, what he said carried weight.

He listened. This is probably why he was, and still is, the only one who could tell me and my mother apart on the phone. Phone rang, I answered, with my East Texas hello, and he would kindly respond, "Is this Miss Sarah?" He knew my voice because he had listened to it time and time again. Listening has a chance when you are not quick to speak. Words, that do not flood the atmosphere, are valuable.

There many days this memory creeps up on me and I long to be a woman who never rushes to speak, who weighs her words - consistently, by default. To not speculate out loud, to choose no answer over whatever half answer systematic logic can conjure. And, as I wrestle with how to be better, my heart is thankful that in dying Papaw was able to point his family in a direction called out and honored in Scripture.

"Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak..." James 1:19a

~ Sarah

city of villages

I set out to prayer walk at least a few times each month. It's an amazing time to spend with the Father asking for His hand to move throughout M-town.


He takes this time to show me new places and to meet new people. Sometimes I find myself on a University campus and sometimes I find myself in a field; sometimes He leads me to neighborhoods of middle-class people and sometimes He leads me to the slums; sometimes I walk through busy intersections and sometimes I walk along a dirt footpath.

Last week I set out to prayer walk and found myself walking into a little village. It was a little village right in the middle of M-town.


India is a country of villages. M-town is a city of villages.

This village had such a sweet spirit. The men, women, and children were quite curious of these two foreign women walking along their paths. A crowd of children began to follow Cathy & I. I spoke to them and they giggled as they respectfully replied.

We walked by gates and saw women completing their daily chores. Many of them chose to come close to the walkway to see what was happening. These sweet women invited us in. They were not harsh, they were not rude, they were merely curious and hospitable. They offered all that they had, their time, and possibly a cup of tea.

A village is a small area in which a concentrated number of people live. These people live in tight community. They operate often as one large family.

What an amazing couple of hours is was to be welcomed into this village. It is my prayer that the Father would allow me opportunities to build relationships with those in these villages, that I would have the opportunities to share His stories, and that His stories would ignite and spread rapidly from village to village, calling these precious men, women, and children to know Him as Savior.

~Heather

*Ask the Father to lead me into villages who are open and willing to hear His story.
*Ask the Father to allow communication to flow easily and that His story would be shared in a way that is understood by all those who hear.
*Ask the Father to soften the hearts of the people of M-town and that they would choose to follow only Him.

a teacher's heart

This teacher's heart often longs to return to the classroom, even if only for just a little while. Actually, any teaching could lessen the longing.

I am in language classes three times a week, but learning isn't nearly as enjoyable as teaching!

I recently spent a day with a lady, Anna, who has around 30 children who come to her house each afternoon for school. The families of these children can't afford schooling. They range in age from 5 to 12 years old. Anna doesn't have any teaching experience, but she does love these children and they in turn, love her. I have returned to Anna's home from time to time to interact with the children and to assist her a bit in teaching. Now, rest assured, Anna doesn't speak any English, so our communicating is often a bit comical.

Anna recently had a baby. The baby is just beautiful. I had planned to make a school visit on Friday. Anna knew I was coming. As I arrived, a bit late due to a long bus journey, I saw the children seated in rows on a large mat on the dirt yard, but I did not see Anna. I asked Anna's husband where she was and he reported that the baby was sick and Anna had taken the baby to the doctor's office. The children were waiting for me to arrive, to teach them.

I froze. I didn't have a lesson plan. I didn't know these children's names. I don't speak the language of these children well. But, I was there. They were there. So, away we went into unknown territory for us all!

As I taught, they often looked at me with confusion. They sometimes didn't respond. But, as I began to affirm their answers and to give them my undivided attention, their little faces lit up with a sense of accomplishment.

My Hindi has such a long way to go. But, my heart lept with joy. I was teaching. Children were learning. What could be better?

~Heather

*Thank the Father for this amazing opportunity for my teacher's heart to be satisfied.

*Ask the Father to continue to increase my abilities to communicate in Hindi.

*Ask the Father to allow opportunities to share His story with these children and their families.

*Ask the Father to draw these families into a relationship with Him.

the quiche is in the oven, well, almost

It has been a difficult week, to say the least. It hasn't been a bad week. It has just been full, and exhausting. It has been one of those weeks that has been all encompassing, there have been sweet times, stressful times, disappointing times, and refreshing times.

Guests are wonderful! I have had so many guests! It is so nice to get to have guests in my home. I have been visited by people from here, there, and everywhere!

Thursday, guests were coming and I planned to bake a quiche for lunch. I was pretty excited to try something new. Now, I didn't have a pie dish, and had unsuccessfully searched for one, but decided to carry on the search. On Wednesday evening I did in fact find a glass pie dish for purchase.

Now, the electricity is turned off from around 8am every morning until 1pm every afternoon. This usually isn't a factor, because typically guests come for dinner, but Thursday's guests were for lunch. Since I had planned to serve quiche and had indeed located a pie dish, I was determined to continue on with this plan.

I decided to get up at 7am on Thursday morning and bake the quiche. I would just serve it at room temperature. However, I was up quite late on Wednesday night cleaning and preparing for the coming day, so Thursday morning I was not thinking too clearly.

Just before 7, the alarm clock sounded and in my groggy state, assembled the quiche in my new glass pie dish. I placed it in the preheated oven, and closed the door. Well, I almost closed the door. The oven door wouldn't close by 2 1/2 or 3 inches. The glass dish was too big!

What to do? Well in my foggy state of mind, I decided that if I covered the opening in the oven door, it would bake just fine. Out of sight, out of mind.

So, I just draped a towel over the door and went back to sleep while the quiche baked. I got up and turned it once just before the cooking time had passed. The electricity was turned off a little early, so the baking time hadn't even had time to lapse. I just had to hope for the best!

I served the quiche for lunch and it was quite a hit. Necessity is truly the mother of invention! Who knew that eggs would indeed bake in an open oven! Just one more adventure to add to the list! Life in India is never dull...

~Heather

hope

"Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." Romans 5:2-5

for the children

Please join me in pleading with the Father to draw the children of M-town unto Himself.

~Heather

"The Bible So Song"

Yesterday, I spent the day with a precious little boy. His name is Maddon and our days together usually include taking adventures or being creative. I love that.

Lately, I have been wondering how I could weave Christ's love for Maddon into our day. And, let's blame it on the seminary training, I have been wanting to communicate to Maddon the deep theological truths of our faith. How do I bundle everything that is so great about Christ, so necessary to know Him and so fascinating to be obedient too? How do you eat a theological elephant?.... One small truth at a time. While driving, I was reminded of a simple song; and, as Maddon and I drove back to his house, I began to sing:

Jesus loves me this I know;

For the Bible tells me so;

Little ones to Him belong,

they are weak but He is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me.

Yes, Jesus loves me.

Yes, Jesus loves me.

The Bible tells me so.

There is was, everything I wanted to introduce Maddon too. The authority of God's Word, the love of Christ, the strength found only in Him....all in a song I learned when I was two. Maddon loved it! I must have sang those lines 50 times. Fifty times of telling this sweet little boy that the God of the universe loves us and he can know that because His Word says this love is so.

Yesterday started out as an average, creative, adventurous day, with Maddon. The day ended with the Lord reminding and allowing me to share in His work, to invest in a life for eternal purpose. With one little song, containing several Truths, our afternoon went from typical Maddon and Sarah Jacks fun to creative didactic.

Oh, that we do not get so caught up in ideas that we forget to sing a song....

~Sarah

Road trip

I enjoy a road trip. It often makes for a long day, but usually includes adventures and sweet relationship building.

Friday, a road trip had been planned. It would be an early, early morning, but I knew it would be a great experience, so I consented. At 4:30am, we were ready to go. At 5:45am, the car finally arrived to pick us up. We were on Indian Standard time, for sure.

After picking up the rest of Vikki's family, the cars were filled, and we were on the road. In the three cars were Vikki, her husband, and 8 month old son, along with the baby's paternal grandparents, great-grandmother, uncles, great-aunts, nanny, Cathy, and I. It was quite a crowd. The destination? R-kesh, one of the towns along the sacred Ganga River. The purpose? The baby's Mundan ceremony.

Mundan is an important ceremony in Hindu communities. It is the tradition of shaving the hair of the baby boy, on an auspicious day in the 1st or 3rd year of the child's life, followed by offering the hair as a sacrifice to the sacred Ganga River. It is believed that this ritual will purify the child, that the shaving of the hair will rid the child of his past life's negativity, bestow long life, a better future, and protect the child from the evil eye.

After an almost 6 hour ride, we arrived in R-kesh. We rested and had tea at a resthouse and then made our trek to the Ganga for the ceremony to take place.

The grandfather took a dip in the Ganga and then held the baby and spoke blessings over him. After this, most everyone took a holy dip in the Ganga. They continually told us that they felt peace from doing so. Once the barber arrived, the baby's hair was shaved. The hair was collected and placed, along with money, between pieces of bread and then offered by the father to the Ganga. The family elders held large sums of mony over the baby and spoke blessings, to ensure him a properous life. The baby was wiped with water from the Ganga and was redressed in a fresh set of clothing.

After enjoying a traditional lunch with these sweet family members, we prepared for the long journey home. It was such a long day.

What an experience it was, to see first hand the darkness that is honored. My heart was saddened by the beliefs in the power of holy water and of religious ceremony.

The water was beautiful. The time was cherished. Relationships were deepened. The Father was there.

*Thank the Father for the opportunity to be part this family's special day.
*Ask that the Father would allow Vikki's family to find truth in him.
*Ask that the Father would continue to strengthen local relationships and use Cathy & I as his light, in such a dark place.

~Heather

A few points to consider about Indian road trips:

• There will be car trouble.
• There will be at least one flat tire.
• At least one person will get car sick.
• There will be more passengers in the vehicle than there are seats.
• There will be absolutely no potty stops, even if you ask, so, limit liquid intake.
• There will be countless speed bumps and pot holes, some of which the driver will slow down to pass over, others he will just pass over, so hold on tight.
• The return trip will take longer than it took to reach the destination.

*Pictures are in the following post.*

Mundan

blessing by paternal grandfather

taking a dip in the Ganga

shaving the hair

offering hair to the Ganga

~Heather

Holidays mean family

Even so many miles from home, holidays are still about spending time with those you love. I consider it an honor that precious families have already begun to include us in their count.

*Please ask the Father to draw Koni's family into His family.

~Heather

Lord, open their homes.

Prayer walk with me. We start and finish at the "big tree." At this tree, worship of idols takes place multiple times each day. Oh, that the people of M-town would come to know and worship the Most High God, the Creator, the Father who loves them so. Please ask that the Father would open the homes, and hearts, of households throughout M-town.

~Heather

*I tried to add music. Technical stuff isn't my forte! Sorry.*

Currently...

The gather up the gopher wood and pitch kind of rain is falling. Big Texas drops, the drops that result from days of humidity withheld, are showering down in common time.

In my attempt to cook more, I am making meat loaf, with turkey, instead of beef, and rolled oats, rather than bread crumbs. It's supposed to be better for me. And it is. After some trial and error, reading and specific revelation from God, I have found that I should limit my intake of refined carbs.

I am, shockingly, not very interested in marriage, for myself. I am fascinated by marriage, as a Gospel issue; however, not pining for or relying on the "satisfaction" so many of us have convinced ourselves exists only for the coupled. This realization appeared yesterday.

I have never walked this closely with the Lord. Gone are the days of convincing myself grandiose life awaits in the atmosphere of the next great stage, town, task. This is a new stride in life for me. Enjoying the journey, ridding myself of useless desires, finding wealth in relationship, reveling in God's will and realizing the responsibility to continue seeking Him. And, this seeking Him is not reflected in me having it together, displaying vast knowledge; rather, in Him and His strength and faithfulness gloriously displayed through obedience to His Word. Lord help my unbelief!

On that note, I have decided to extend my time at Seminary, by one semester. There will be days, lots of days, I will wish to be much nearer to completing my degree. Hopefully, those days will fade with presto. I have decided to let the remainder of my classes resinate.

The meat loaf is starting to give scent to my apartment. Rain drops have decreased in measure. I have officially enjoyed the current genius playlist on my iTunes to the maximum. I should create a new one soon.

Enjoy your day.

(One of a collection of recent creative efforts)

~Sarah

Diwali

Diwali has officially come to a close. Hopefully the nightly midnight fireworks are also coming to an end. The holiday certainly didn't turn out as we had expected, but I know that it is what the Father had planned. I am earnestly searching for the place that I walk in step with him, daily, in all things; and find true satisfation, complete contentment, and ultimate joy in doing so.

We did get to spend bits of time with those we are coming to know and love. The time with sweet friends is something I have come to treasure. Cathy & I spent good time together. We watched fireworks from our roof, walked down the street to look at the lights, and spent time worshipping the Father. It was a good day. May we truly abide in him and seek to be guided by his plans, rather than any plans we make on our own.

Cathy & I have been distributing gifts and cards to the families around us. We wrote words of truth on those cards. May the Father allow those to fall into the hands and be read by the eyes of those whom he is drawing to himself. Ask the Father to use his words to soften the hearts of these precious friends.

I am looking forward to all he has in store. He has certainly allowed the days gone by to be quite an adventure. However, I have no doubt that the best is yet to come. It is! He will return one day. He will meet us in the air. It is more than I can imagine. May we all live each day looking forward to and ready for that day.

~Heather

The lights are being hung

The children are excited. Diwali is coming! Lights are strung on homes. Gifts are being purchased. Plans are being made.



Diwali will be celebrated in our area on Saturday, and the days following. It is a celebration of the triumph of good over evil, within individuals. It is a time that includes the worship of light. It is a time that people seek to drive away darkness and engulf the light of knowledge.

Cathy & I will visit in the homes of our neighbors and friends. We will take gifts with the message of hope attached. We plan to boldly share the story of The Light of the World. Join us in asking that the Father show His hand mighty this week as we share. May this be a week that we see His kingdom grow in number!

~Heather

The saga continues...

Are you tired of hearing about these mice? Yes, they seem to have multiplied. Since they are still present and accounted for, I visited the carpenter today. He came and nailed boards to the bottom of my door so that the door would be flush to the floor, as to keep mice out.

To no avail, as I was lying across the bed this afternoon resting for just a few minutes, yes, I saw a little critter scurry across my floor. I redressed and gathered my belongings and headed off to the market. There is a little store not too far away of which I have become a regular. Two older men, who are brothers, own and run the shop. They know a little English and they have become quite helpful in times of need.

I entered the shop and told one of the gentlemen (in my best Hindi), "Uncle, I need help. There are mice in my house. I am not happy. What can I do?" With a gentle smile and a nod to an employee, he produced a small box. As I took the box from it, it read "Rat Kill Cake." He asked how many I would like. I asked how many he had? I bought all four. Surely they will be gone soon, surely.

*Here's my door with it's new addition, and my latest purchase, rat kill cakes.*

~Heather

Oh, that their hearts would be opened

Cathy & spent time prayer walking our area this morning. We found intricate networks of roadways and pathways weaving together the peoples of M-town.

There were extravagant homes that are owned by doctors, lawyers, and professors. There were desolate homes composed of some old bricks and a tarp that belonged to families of 6 or 8.

We passed by those who were intrigued by us, and by others who did not even choose to glance our way.

Some gates were open; some gates were closed.

Some faces were open; and some faces were closed.

Some hearts are open; some hearts are closed.

May each of these hearts and homes be softened, and opened to the Father.

~Heather

*Thank the Father for where He has placed Cathy & I.
*Ask the Father to direct us to those who are open to hearing His story.
*Ask the Father to allow those who worship created things to become dissatisfied, and, therefore, search for the Truth.

An update on the "little creature"...

I awakened this morning, sure I would find an exterminated mouse under my refrigerator. I gathered the necessary supplies and the motivation to move the refrigerator and clean up whatever I found. I unplugged the refrigerator. As I began to move it, I saw a little piece of sponge. As I continued to shift the refrigerator, I found all 8 pieces of sponge. That little rascal didn't eat the sponge, he just moved it under the refrigerator!

Needless to say, all I found under the refrigerator was 8 pieces of yellow sponge and some dust; no mouse was there, dead or alive. Wonders never cease!

The tubing that connects my sink drain to the main drain had been moved and was no longer attached. The house helper may have moved it; the mouse may have moved it; it may have moved all by itself. I am going to just decide to believe that the little critter decided to take the route outside, by means of the water drain. It could be true, right?

~Heather

All creatures great and small...

Around here, there are a few critters, and creatures, to say the least. We have the usual instigators, mice, rats, cats, dogs, spiders, ants, mosquitoes, and then we have a few that are not so typical, monkeys (large and small), pigs, goats, large lizard-like things, the list goes on...

I have had a little practice already of trapping and killing the mice and rats. Between my apartment, and Cathy's, I am becoming well-versed in the "how-to's of rodent extermination." And then, there are the creatures that you just learn to live with because getting rid of them is just too large of a task!

However, Cathy & I had a new adventure with creatures this weekend in the hill town that we visited. There were monkeys. There were lots, and lots, and lots, of monkeys.

We had already visited a wonderful little store at the top of the path and Cathy had gotten a Pop-Tart to eat. She had opened it and had eaten some of it, but wrapped the remainder and had it in a plastic shopping bag.

As we walked down the pathway, we saw an area that we had to pass through which had monkeys on either side. There was no way to avoid the monkeys. We had to walk through them. And, Cathy had open food on her! Not a good combination.

I had already told her the story of being attacked by monkeys one day when I was with some children who were eating peanuts. We had to walk through the monkeys in order to continue on our way. There was no other option.

Cathy was convinced, that because they were scurrying, they were going to get us. I told her, "If they come for the food, give it up!" However, after all of this, I am pleased to announce that we successfully passed through the monkeys without incident. There were several minutes that it was touch and go!

It just makes me laugh. I am convinced that the Father has such a sense of humor. We have certainly done many things since our arrival in country that were much more difficult than passing through a large group of monkeys, but it was the monkeys that caused us alarm!

~Heather

*Just a note to update you: I wrote and posted this entry this morning. That sense of humor that the Father has; it has in fact been apparent today. I spent the better part of an hour chasing a mouse around the kitchen. He is itty-bitty and superfast. He would go from under the refrigerator, to in the pots, to on the gas cylinder. After getting tired and frustrated, Cathy suggested that I Google, "How to kill a mouse." There were, indeed, many recommendations. The one that I had the supplies for involved leaving out oil soaked sponges for the mouse to eat, and that is supposed to do the job of extermination. Well, there were 8 oil soaked sponge pieces in my kitchen floor an hour ago, and now there is only one. Surely this will work, surely!

My Best Day

At the end of the day, one of the things I like to ask Sarah is, "What was your best thing today?" I love to hear about her favorite part of each day. I love to see how the Father is providing, protecting, and blessing each and every day.

I think the Father gives us best things each day, and best days every so often. A couple of Saturdays ago, I had the opportunity to go meet and spend the day with a precious national family. They are believers.

The woman of this family has between 22 and 25 children from the slum come to her home each afternoon to have school. The families of these children cannot afford to send the children to school. In India, there are no cost free schools, all education requires tuition to be paid, therefore, a huge population of Indians never get to spend a day in school.

This woman is doing her very best to teach, using a one house school room type approach and she hasn't had any training in teaching. The family had been asking that I come to spend some time there with them, observe, and offer any suggestions or assistance possible.

It was an amazing day for me. I didn't realize just how much my teacher's heart has missed the classroom. I loved sitting with the children and allowing them to show me all that they had learned. I loved that this sweet teacher wants to do her very best and is so open to new ideas and teaching strategies. It is my earnest prayer that the Father allow me to get to be involved with this program, as well as others like it.

M-town is well known for their production of athletic equipment. The families in this particular area weave badmitton rackets. I sat with some women who were chatting close-by and watching the children have school. Once I joined them, I saw the unfinished rackets on the ground and asked about them. The young ladies immediately showed and taught me to weave the racket. It was such fun to sit, laugh, and chat with them while we wove rackets.

We took the opportunity to speak to the Father with our new friends before heading home. What a wonderful, fulfilling day! I can hardly wait to see what else the Father has planned in the days, weeks, and months to come.

~Heather

*Thank the Father for giving me a "best day so far."

*Ask that the families in this area would become more open and their hearts would be softened, in order to understand and believe the truth.

*Ask that the father guide and protect this family as they strive to share within their community.

*Ask that the Father would reveal His plan for how we are to encourage and support this program.

*Ask the Father to continue to sustain Cathy & I as we strive to learn Hindi well and build relationships that will eternally change lives.

*Ask the Father to continue to allow good conversation about Him with my language helper, Koni, as well as all of those in our community.

The Latest Adventures

Cathy & I had a beautiful a day of retreat and sweet partnership building fellowship in the foothills of the Himalayas. We so enjoyed the beautiful scenery and fresh air.

My language helper, Koni, and I made Indian parathas with potato and onions. We have so much fun when we moving language learning into the kitchen! Pictured above, we were just finishing tea and parathas.


Those of you who know me must know full well my love for organization, planning/scheduling, and timeliness. So, you may not be surprised by my current fascination with beautiful, or unique, clocks. It seems that every area has a clock tower, an idea carried over from the years of British rule, I am assuming. Pictured above, you see the beautiful clock tower of M-town, and below is the clock tower of the hill town that Cathy and I recently visited.

~Heather

A Visit to Koni's Village

~Heather

Faces of M-town

~Heather

Sights of M-town

~Heather

Days

All days are special.

Some days are really great.

Other days are just hard.

Why are they hard? Sometimes there is particular thing that makes them hard, but at other times, they are just hard for a pile of reasons and no certain reason at all.

These days seem to be a little harder than others have been. I'm reaching that plateau in language and not seeing too much progress. I'm enjoying my new apartment but it feels like there will never be a time when everything is done. I'm craving Sonic and Chili's and Papasito's. I'm missing birthday parties and other special events.

These days will pass. I know they will. I know He has called me here and I don't want to be anywhere but in the center if His will. I know there are great days ahead, so I press forward, straining toward the finish line, knowing that He is faithful in all things.

May we look back and be reminded of His faithfulness and press forward trusting that same faithfulness.

~Heather

Last Day

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."Jeremiah 29:11

This morning, I get ready for my last day of work, at my current job. I have enjoyed my time and the friends I have made at Kobi. And, I am so thankful that I can leave on a positive note. I am thankful that the Lord has given me the grace to finish well, the words to say to show appreciation and the awareness of the opportunity to glorify Him in the situation. I know He will continue to provide. I am comforted by His encouraging my spirit, as I continue to take steps in the direction He is leading. Sweet friends have offer to help me look for employment. They have offered to pray and have given me the kindest words of encouragement. In these weeks of unemployment, I will have more time to prepare for sessions, studying and working at becoming a better student of counseling and counselor. I love that.

"Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

As I step into a difficult time, financially, accompanied by the less than hopeful economic scene, I know this may not be easy. I know I will have to give up some conveniences, turn some dinner invitations down, advise the Chic-fil-a workers of my temporary absence; but, what an opportunity I have to draw near to the Father and learn more about Him, as He teaches me more of who I am in Him.

"And you have seen all that the Lord your God has done to all these nations for your sake, for it is the Lord your God who has fought for you." Joshua 23:3

He knows my future. He is able to provide. He causes all things to work together for my good. He will fight for me. I am His, purchased by the blood of His Son. His to mold, His to sanctify, His to love. All that He has done before and all that He will do again is greater than all that I could dream up and work to accomplish. In His will is where I want to be found.




Seeking Him.


~Sarah

House of peace and love

I have prayed, "Lord, make my house one that overflows with your peace and love. Use this place to draw people to an understanding of the truth."

What does a house of peace and love look like? I'm not sure it has a look. But, I know how it feels. It has a distinct feeling. I want those who come into my home to notice and feel that sweet presence of a Father who loves them dearly. I want them to yearn to know what is different about a household that serves the Lord.

I'm not on the side of the building that is full of women who bustle up and down the stairs and speak each time they pass. Don't worry, there is plenty of movement and there are lots of community members who stop in to pay a short visit and just to check on the comings and goings, as well as to get the lastest news. We provide great entertainment for the entire community!

I have hired a lady to come each day to wash the dishes and clean the floors. It takes her only a few minutes and she speaks no english, both of which are good things for me.

After only a couple of days, my house helper began sending her daughter to do the work. I learned that the lady I hired was a young widow with 4 children. She was working several jobs to be enabled to provide for her children. So, I allowed this 12 year old little girl to do the house work. Her name is Lisa. Most days both of them come by, at different times.

Lisa goes to school in the mornings and comes by each afternoon. Many days her mother has already come and finished the work, but I greet her and invite her in. I teach her a few new english words and she corrects my Hindi.

Her mother has also begun to drop by in the early evenings. She comes in to see if there are any dirty dishes in the sink and to see if she can help with whatever I am cooking for dinner. Lisa's mother has the sweetest smile and a confident spirit. She reaches out to hug me as she leaves. When Lisa comes, she doesn't want to leave.

Today I was working on the computer, and she sat with me copying english and hindi words from a language book I let her look at. She will ask me a question every so often, or want to show me what she has written. She just wants to be close. She wants positive attention. She likes to be here. She is learning some structure and how manipulation won't get her what she wants, but I truly believe that she experiences the presence of the Lord in this house.

This is what I have asked of the Father and He has heard my plea. Great is His faithfulness.

~Heather

*Praise the Father for His answers to our every request.
*Thank the Father for making me part of this precious community.
*Ask the Father to open the hearts of Lisa and her mother to understand and believe His truth.
*Ask that the Father would make this house to be one of peace and love.

Special days

Sarah's birthday has just passed. Daddy's birthday is coming. Mother's Day and Father's Day are gone for this year. Maddon has turned 2 years old. Sawyer will be 1 in September. Ellie started 4th grade, and Mason has started 1st.

This is what I miss most. My heart is sad on the special days that I miss. I love birthdays and holidays and first days of school. How can I make it special from half a world away?

How can I share with you my own special days?

Yesterday was a special day. Granted, the past two days have included my chasing a mouse, who has yet to be exterminated, around my apartment. However, an amazing phone call came mid-afternoon that just made my heart smile.

Around 2 o'clock I was out at the market and the phone rang. The market isn't a very easy place to take a call, but I answered none the less. It was my sweet friend who is living in A'bad. She called to share with me how the Father is truly at work there.

Ari has continued to read the book of truth and asked to be dunked two weeks ago. She is still the only believer in her family, but she wanted to follow the Father obediently, knowing that this included going swimming. The arrangements were made for the ceremony to take place. However, when the time came, her family told her that if she did this that she would no longer be welcome as part of the family. Emotions were high and this young lady was placed in a position that most of us can't imagine. She has not yet been able to follow through in this act of obedience.

She has been sharing with her friends what the Father is teaching her. She shares stories of truth with them. She, along with 7 others, have decided to meet together weekly to share the Father's stories! These are really amazing steps for a young lady to take. She understands what the Father is asking of her and is stepping out in faith. I know that the Father has even more incredible plans in store for Ari! He is faithful and my heart is smiling. Oh, that one day this nation would share His stories far and wide, that they would sing out in one voice of praise and honor to the Lord Most High!

~Heather

*Praise the Father for Ari's boldness to step out in faith and share His truth with those around her.
*Thank the Father for allowing me to get to share in His plan and goodness.
*Ask the Father to give Ari courage to openly speak the truth.
*Ask the Father to bring the other 7 girls to a knowledge and understanding of the truth.

Life on Pothole Lane

Yes, the days continue to pass. Life in M-town is good. The days are rainy now. The rains bring an occasional breeze and lots of humidity with them. The road that runs in front of our apartments has extremely large potholes in it. I don't think our road has a name, and I needed to have something to call it for when I give Cathy directions, so I have affectionaly named it Pothole Lane.

Most days, there are several pigs that spend their day wollering in the mud. I am quite sure a couple of them are bigger than I am! Every day holds numerous adventures and I can hardly wait to see all the Father has in store. I am completely convinced that now is the time for South Asia!

blah

I'm tired.
Actually, tired doesn't come close to describing how I feel.
I'm utterly exhausted.
This exhaustion has nothing to do with sleeping; it has to do with rest.
It has to do with perseverance.
It has to do with resting in the arms of the Father, even amidst all the busyness and choas that surrounds me.
It so often seems that there is so much to do and so little time to do it.
He has called each of us to a task.
I am surrounded by a nation who does not yet know the truth.
There is so much to do.
"... let us run with endurance the race that is set before us..." (Hebrews 12:2)
"Be still, and know..." (Psalm 46:10)
I am earnestly seeking to find the balance between the two.

~Heather

*Ask Him to grant the endurance needed to run the race He has set before me.
*Ask Him to guide me in finding the balance necessary to rest in Him and run with Him.

the change

As one of only a handful of foreigners living in M-town, it is quite common to be seen as somewhat of an attraction. I am often looked at with inquisitive eyes. Only the most daring of school children will shout a quick, "Hello!" or, "How are you?"

As I walk through the community, it is often my intent to smile and make eye contact with each woman I pass, in the hopes that, after a moment, I will receive a smile in return. When possible, along with the smile, I extend a Hindi greeting.

The responses of women vary. Sometimes I get a smile, sometimes a head-nod, sometimes a verbal greeting in return. But, always, there is a curious look in their eyes. This look says, "Who are you? Why are you here?"

Each day I walk down the dirt road that runs beside my new home. This is the path I take to get to the main road. I find women, children, families, and animals all along the way. With some, I have talked, with others, I have laughed. With many, in my broken Hindi, I have attempted to share a bit of who I am, and find out more of who they are.

Saturday was different. Saturday as I walked along the road, I received smiles. I received greetings. I received invitations to be part of the lives of those along this long dirt road. As I reached the main road, I smiled. My heart smiled. On Saturday, to those who comprise my new community, I was no longer an outsider. I belonged. I was welcomed.

Great is His faithfulness!

~Heather

*Thank Him for giving me a sense of belonging.
*Ask Him to increase my ability to communicate with those along the way.
*Ask Him to soften the hearts of these and to draw them to Himself, so that they may come to know the truth.

A place to call home

The time has come! I am officially settling into a new home in M-town. It is wonderful to be settling, and feel like I have a place to call home. Thank you for asking that the father would provide the right place. Cathy & I each have our own apartment, but they are quite near one another, which is perfect!

The apartments are surrounded by multiple families. We are already building so many new relationships. We are so excited to see what he has in store for those we are getting to know, and already love! May these relationships be the beginning of something truly amazing, eternally amazing!

~Heather

*Thank the father for providing this home and for the relationships that are already beginning.

*Ask the father to bless and multiply the relationships that have already begun to take root.

*Ask the father to provide the right language learning setting and to bless our language learning efforts.

Only the beginning!

The saga continues. Well, it has been days and we are officially negotiating for the third or fourth set of apartments. Everyone has a reason for not wanting to rent to us. We are trusting that the Father will make a way for us to be just where he has for us. He continues to demand our total surrender and require nothing less than trusting fully in him. His strength is perfect, when our strength is gone.

In the meantime, we are staying with the S family. They are wonderful, truly. They have welcomed us into their home and lives with open arms. Last night, we were a family of 7 in a two bedroom/ one bathroom house. Tonight, we will increase to a family of 9, our supervisors are en route to M-town!

~Heather

*Thank the father for the S family, their support and encouragement, as well as, their welcoming us into their family & home.
*Thank the father for being all-sufficient.
*Ask the father to provide homes for Cathy & I.
*Ask for favor in the eyes of nationals, that they would become people of peace and goodwill.

A day in the life...

The first days in M-town have been full. Every day is an adventure. We laugh, we cry, we sing, we shout. God is faithful, and we are his, so we trust.

What does a day in M-town look like? Well, every single day is a brand new adventure. There is never any telling what the next hour will bring. Monday was one of those days!

Monday morning, the alarm sounded and the day began. Cathy & I had agreed to help prepare for a training that was to begin at 10am. The center for the training had been rented, but the floors needed sweeping and to be mopped. The beds had to be made, and the bathrooms had to be cleaned. Now, I know it won't surprise you that we did these things, but imagine it in a salwar kameez, complete with dupatta (large scarf)!

A couple of hours was enough time to finish that task. I don't think I have been quite that hot, nor have I sweated that much since an Alabama July mid-afternoon softball game. It was just hot and humid! But, the opportunity to serve made the task sweeter.

We have a friend who also lives in the city, Ashley. Ashley has only been in country a few weeks and wanted to go to an open market, one that only takes place on Mondays. So, we told her to come on over and we would head out. In the meantime, the househelper was here, so I was trying to continually dialogue with her in Hindi. Before Ashley arrived, a sweet national girl stopped by for a visit. It was a wonderful opportunity to speak with her, share a snack, and be encouraged by her testimony.

Ashley arrived during Monica's visit. Shortly after Monica took her leave, Ashley, Cathy & I walked down the road and caught a local bus. This happened to be my first Indian bus experience. I typically use alternate forms of transportation. The bus was quicker than a bicycle rickshaw, but it was quite crowded, to say the least. We arrived at the market and shopped for a while, mingling with so many women and picking up a few new items, as well.

After finishing up at the market, we headed back to the bus route to catch a bus back to the home of the family with whom we are staying until we have apartments of our own. During the bus ride back, a friend called and told us to hop off of the bus and go to the apartments that we are wanting to rent. We reached the apartments and the property dealer was not in sight. I called and I had misunderstood. He was expecting us at his office. We waited and he came to the apartments. He reported that we would not be able to rent the apartments that we wanted, the owners were not comfortable renting to us. So, on to the next plan. There were two other apartments that we looked at and agreed for the negotiating with the owners to begin.

We left the apartments and grabbed a rickshaw back to the house. We arrived and showered. The water ran out between my shower and Cathy's, but returned after some time. Some friends who happened to be in the area stopped by. I greeted them, served them some cold water, and got them settled. A few minutes later, a national stopped by with her 1 year old little girl. We sat and chatted a little while. Supper had to be started and since the house was full, we would be serving a houseful!

When bedtime finally came, exhausted only grazed the surface of my condition. I praise him because his mercies are new every morning and his faithfulness is great!

There is no typical day. The only constant right now, is the necessity of flexibility with the ever-changing plan. These are good days, they are hard days. We are hearing language and seeing culture take place all around us. It is such fun to continue to interact with people more deeply every single day.

~Heather

*Ask the father to allow Cathy & I to be enabled to rent apartments and get settled soon.
*Ask that my language abilities would increase quickly.
*Ask that the father would provide language helpers that would become long-term partners.
* Ask that the father would call the people of the state of UP (where M-town is located) unto himself.
*Ask that the father would continue to strengthen Cathy & I's relationship, that he would use us to encourage and support one another, and to share his love with those around us.
*Thank the father for his continued protection and provision.
*Thank him for new friends.

Goodbye A'bad

The A'bad days of Cathy, Rachel & Heather have come to a close. It was an adventurous 6 weeks. We laughed, we cried, we learned from one another, we served one another, we thrived and survived, together.















Rachel has moved on toward her new assignment now. We miss her being with us, but can hardly wait to see what the father has in store for her months ahead.

Cathy & I are currently taking Hindi Intensive classes in the capital, but a move is coming soon! We have decided to move to M-town. We will complete our language learning time there, begin forming networks & relationships, and hope to get to tell and craft some stories over the next several months. These are exciting times! May he continue to show his hand at work in, around, and through us!

~Heather

*Ask the father to give us the stamina to finish Hindi Intensives well.
*Ask the father to grant us great housing, quickly, in M-town.
*Ask him to give us wonderful relationships with national women who will be captivated by his amazing story, that they would come to know the truth, and that he would use them to draw others into his family.

Brokenness

Brokenness, brokenness is what I long for.
Brokenness is what I need.
Brokenness, brokenness is what you want from me.
Take my heart and form it.
Take my mind, transform it.
Take my will, conform it,
to your's, to your's, O Lord.

Brokenness is what the Father wants us to bring to him. Brokenness is truly what we need. Only the Lord can heal our brokenness. But, is brokenness really something we long for?

The Father is at work. He is at work in me, and I pray that he is at work in you. I am quite stubborn. I like things done my way. I like to be in control of how things are done. Too often, my strong, independent spirit becomes an obstacle. I have to often ask the Father's forgiveness for doing things my own way, rather than his. He loves each of us so much though, so much that he doesn't ever stop working on us, to mold us and make us who he has for us to be, vessels through which he chooses to work. I want to be one the father chooses to work through.

In order for the Father to work through me, I must allow him to empty me of myself and fill me with himself. This means altering my prideful, I can do anything, WonderWoman attitude, and coming before him, and others, humbly, to be used to love, share, and serve.

The last months have been full of lessons on humility. I am so thankful that the Lord doesn't give up, he just keeps working on us and loving us. He accepts us each and every time we return to him. The task that is ahead is so much larger than anything any person could accomplish in and of themselves. The father has used and is using this time to show us that he is still in the miracle making business. He is, and will continue to be, at work in, around, and through us.

These weeks and lessons haven't been easy ones. Hindi has become difficult for me. I haven't enjoyed the learning process that must take place. My body isn't handling life overseas near as well as I would like. I have experienced hospitals in two countries in less than a month. Cathy & I have been on the move and without a home of our own since our arrival. We are so ready to settle. I miss people and places in America. I miss getting to be present for special occasions and I miss being part of ordinary days. These are just hard things.

I know that our God is faithful. I look back and see his faithfulness. I am choosing to look forward and trust his faithfulness. He has truly amazing plans. He will see his plans come to fruition. What an honor it is to be part of them. There are incredible days behind us, and before us. May we humbly choose to accept each opportunity as one through which to praise him!

Brokenness, brokenness is what I long for.
Brokenness is what I need.
Brokenness, brokenness is what you want from me.
Take my heart and form it.
Take my mind, transform it.
Take my will, conform it,
to your's, to your's, O Lord.

~Heather

*Ask the father to continue to heal my body completely and to protect me from further illness.
*Ask the father to allow Cathy & I to find wonderful homes quickly in our new city.
*Ask the father to grant sweet relationships with fellow workers and nationals in our new city.
*Ask the father to provide the mental capabilities and attitude to learn Hindi well and joyfully.
*Ask the father to continue to mold me into a vessel that he can use to make himself known amongst the nations.

Worth it all!

On a hot Sunday morning, Cathy, Rachel & I were worshipping the father with our fellow workers in A'bad.

Rose is a househelper of one of the families. She speaks no English. We usually speak only Engish during worship. It was hot. The electricity had been out for quite a while. Worship usually lasted about 2 hours. This particular morning it lasted over 3 hours. Sometimes a few nationals joined us for worship. On this morning, one of our Indian brothers was happy to translate the entire service (which is why it lasted an extra hour).

The father had a divine appointment for us on this, our last Sunday in A'bad. He allowed us to see his hand at work. He called Rose to be a daughter in his kingdom. She accepted. The angels in heaven rejoiced. Our hearts leapt for joy. The father reminded me, "This my child, is why I have brought you here."

Mornings like that last Sunday morning in A'bad make it all worthwhile.

~Heather

*Ask the father to continue to reveal himself to Rose.
*Ask the father to use Rose to draw her family, and others, to know and trust only him.
*Ask the father to allow there to be many more mornings of seeing new brothers and sisters added to the fold.

More to come...

Life is a great adventure! Living cross-culturally is a fairly wild adventure. Each day is sure to bring about something new.

Last week I became quite ill. Not to worry, I am doing much better now. However, I did spend a few days in a local hospital. I am so thankful for the services that were provided, but, it was an extreme cultural experience, to say the least.

I have thoughts to share and stories that will be priceless, but am just not quite ready to share those yet. I will share them as I am able to fully process this crazy experience. Know that the father has continued to provide for and take wonderful care of me.

• Please ask him to continue to strengthen and heal my body so that I am able to soon be up and going, as strong as ever.
• Please ask him to protect Cathy, Rachel, and I from illness. It certainly seems to be the enemy's sharpest and most relied upon weapon these days.

~Heather

Ari's Family

Ari comes each morning and patiently assists in the learning of Hindi. Some days are certainly better than others, but she is ever patient, continually listening to and correcting my toddler-like Hindi sentences.

Ari happened to join us for fellowship and worship on Sunday morning. She became a believer just last year. Monday morning as she arrived for a language session, we had a sweet, honest discussion about believers in this culture, especially regarding how they are viewed by those who have not yet become believers.

Ari brought her cousin with her to fellowship on Sunday morning, so I enquired of whether she was a fellow believer and of her siblings, as well. Ari's cousin, Pippy, has two older brothers, one who is a believer, and one who is not. Pippy's father is a believer, but her mother is not. Ari has two younger sisters, neither of whom are believers. Also, her father is a believer, but her mother is not. As the conversation continued to get more complicated in trying to label members of Ari's family as being believers, or non, she finally looked up with the most gentle, compassionate expression on her face, and said, "I am praying for the day that my whole family believes."

• Please join Ari and I in pleading with the father to bring this desire to complete fullfilment.
• Ask the father to use Ari to make an eternal difference from within her family.
• Ask the father to use me as an encouregement for Ari.

~Heather

Big Changes

Big change happened over the Memorial Day weekend.  I retired my Toile bedding for the summer. This is HUGE.  Some of you may know my habit of becoming attached to things.  And, well, the toile was known to make a few road trips. But, I am moving on to a new pattern.  And learning to let go one day at a time.....   :)

On another note, it was nice to have my Mom and sister, Kimberly, in town for the weekend. I had really been looking forward to taking some of my family to my church, to introduce them to the fabulous Dr. Wicker. Heather and I just love him -- and I knew they would, too. 

~Sarah.

life's journey

We are all on a journey. Journeys have a variety of destinations and purposes. Some journeys turn out to be more adventurous than others. Many come to South Asia on a spiritual journey. These wandering hearts are often misguided and looking for peace in all the wrong places.

We took the day to spend some moments experiencing and praying over some of the spiritual strongholds of the area, including the Triveni Sangam, a confluence of three rivers (Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati). The Saraswati is invisible and is said to join the other two underground.

This Sangam is known to be sacred amongst Hindus and it is believed that a ritual bath will wash away all one's sins and free one from the cycle of rebirth. The Sangam is also a respectable location to scatter the ashes of a loved one. The family accompanies the ashes with great pomp and circumstance to show honor to the deceased and offer the ashes to the gods as a last sacrifice.

Join us in asking the father to reveal himself as Creator and Redeemer, especially to those who have set out on a spiritual journey. Ask that their hearts be spurred on to continue searching, until they find eternal peace in him.

~Heather

I have so far to go...

The more I learn, the more I realize that I have to learn. Isn't it like that with everything? Several years ago, I was at a particular place in my life that drew me very near to the Father. It was then that I realized how much more there was to learn and experience, of and in him.

The past week was full of cultural experiences. There were, of course, the good, the bad, and the ugly. There always are, I guess. Because I want to be seen as confident, I often come across as someone who is quite familiar with and understanding everything that is going on. I have a bit of a knack for playing it cool, for shooting from the hip. When I am shaking in my boots, I want it to look like I have it all together, like I am confident in my knowledge and understanding of every situation.

Well, don't you worry, the Father is allowing me to see every moment that I have so far to go.

• I want to know the Father's story in such a way that it freely flows from of me.
• I want to communicate that story on a heart level with those around me, in their heart language and in a way that is most meaningful to them.
• I want those around me to hear my heart's song.
• I want to find myself in perfect harmony with the Father.

I don't just want these things, they are what I long for. May each day he give me the courage, the energy, and the humility to get one step closer.

~Heather

A few "snaps" to share

Recent Realizations

As the Spring semester has come to a close, I have wound down quite a bit. Slowing down and not having so many things to be focused on has provided the space and time to realize. Below is a list, ever growing, that I am becoming aware of:

1.I am auditory. All the way. I enjoy reading; but, as far as soaking up information, give it to me MP3 style. It takes me forever to read and process. But put it to me over speakers and I am on it. This is probably why I enjoy NPR so much.

2. My all-or-nothing worldview/way of approaching things permeates everything I do. My faith, my work, my school, cleaning my apartment....everything.

3. I need to find a balance. Scratch that. I need to know what 'balance' is and then find it.

4. My unsocial tendencies are working against me. When I do stop, from work, school, etc, I find that I am deeply lonely. Not just bored. Lonely.

5. My knack for shooting from the hip, ability to build my parachute on the way down, figure out what I need to do and know, reliance on my ability is severely hindering my relationship with the Lord.

6. I work too much; and, when work is too much, I work some more. (Thanks, Daddy) I need to learn to enjoy.

7. I take myself too seriously.

8. I don't know how to see my good qualities.

9. I am hating this list right now.

~Sarah

on purpose

The most quoted phrase from the book of Ester is sure to be, "for such a time as this." The father has been teaching me this week more of what it means to be purposeful. I am often found saying, "The father has good plans. There is great stuff in store."

I memorized Jeremiah 29:11 as a youth. The father does have plans for us. I know that he promises that they are plans to prosper us and not to harm us, plans for a hope and a future. However, it is easy for me to get caught up in the plans to come and forget to be purposeful in the "right now." The father is teaching me that he does have plans and a purpose, and eventhough much of what he is teaching us and molding us for might be still to come, there is purpose and meaning in each day.

May we find his plan and purpose in each day. May we not sit idly by waiting for a huge plan and purpose, only to miss the everyday wonders and miracles that are wrapped in opportunities to share his story. May we earnestly seek to live each day, "for such a time as this."

~Heather