The Thing That I Hate Most...

Speaking in front of people.

Truly.

Ok, maybe not hate, but greatly dislike.

I would love to have someone else go to churches, Sunday schools, and/or youth groups and speak for me, letting people know what's up. I would love for God to just drop the financial support in my lap. I would love to have it my way... but what does it say in James? I'm sure we can all quote it from Awana:

"Count it all joy my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be
perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

God wouldn't have me speak if it weren't to make me more like Him, if it weren't to show me my weakness and magnify His strength, if it weren't His perfect plan. So I speak and I watch Him work- knowing that the testing of my faith produces steadfastness (which is something that I will always be needing!). Every time God humbles me. I critique myself, thinking, "I should have said it that way!" or "I forgot to mention that!" and God gently reminds me that I'm a work in progress and that I need to "do my best, pray that it's blest, and He'll take care of the rest".

Thanks Keith Green for that reminder :D

Updated Packing List

Many of you have help check things off this list and it is much appreciated!!! Thank God for the friends and family He has given me :D
If you remember the previous list, it was a decent length, but with some help much of it has been checked off! These items remain un-obtained. Pretty much the medicines and a few random things.

Medicines:
I would love to have a stash of all of these- at least until I get to know the meds here!

• Muscle Rub, IcyHot, whatever
• Anti-itch medication
• Triple antibiotic ointment
• multi-vitamins
• water purification tablets
• Insect repellent

Holidays (Especially Christmas):
This is going to be one of the hardest times for me.

• A mixed CD of your favorite Christmas songs… I’ll think of you as I listen to it J

Miscellaneous Items:
To me, this is all the really fun stuff! Or at least the Multi-tool is...

• Multi tool
• Flashlight
• Batteries
• Mosquito Net
• Cement screws for hanging things on the cement walls
• Small basic tool kit – screwdriver, slip-joint pliers (to change gas bottle)

Small Blessings

I was in San Diego yesterday doing a Symposium for some people at Shadow Mountain Community Church. Since I've spent 2 1/2 years there for college and worked for SMCC, I had many people to catch up with and give hugs to.

Dinner was supplied by SMCC and they bought my favorite Ali Baba's! I was able to inform people as to what's going on with me and Cameroon, what I will be doing there, when I hope to be there, and how they can help. The night raised over $300! Praise the Lord!

But of all the gifts I received from people, my favorite one was from a previous Awana girl. Angela's about 7 and when she walked into the room that night, right after giving me a ginormous bear-hug, she handed me a plastic gold coin.

"What's this for, dear?" I asked.

"It's John 3:16! I figured you could take it with you, Miss Kreersee (how she says my name) and when other people asked you what it is you can tell them about Jesus!"

I sure hope I get to do just that :)

A few of us after dinner

There is Strength in Weakness

My church- my precious, tiny, church family- is so dear to me! They threw me an 'Outfitting Shower' yesterday- the goal to bring up finances for the flight, visa, or any other things of that such. There was a table set up with 3x5 cards, markers, and a box for people to write notes, draw pictures, or whatever they want to do. All these cards where then placed in the box and I will read them on my flight to Cameroon. Another table had information about the school I'm going to, previous newsletters, and yet another table filled with goodies. Twas a good time of fellowship :)

And from about 25 people there was $750 raised!!!

From such a small group look at what God can do!