here i go again...

Rather than posting some of my own words this morning, I am going to listen to the word of God and for once really soak it in.

"But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." Matt. 6:6

"After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray." Mark 6:46

"So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind." 1 Cor. 14:15

"After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone." Matt. 14:23

"Why are you sleeping?" he asked them. "Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation."Luke 22:46

"Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you." 2 Thes. 3:1


Here's a song that I'm currently listening to:

When everything you love
And everything that's good slips away
When everyone you trust
And everyone that's close becomes afraid
When all the things you fear
And everything you hate becomes too real
When all your life is torn in two
Rest in truth

When the world is on your shoulders
Let Him in
When the world is on your shoulders
Let Him in

When the bitterness you hide
Slips into your blood and controls your life
When you've fought and fought and tried
But everything's a ruse
Rest in truth

When the world is on your shoulders
Let Him in
When your heart has been abandoned
Let Him in

When the World is on
When all hope has gone
When love that's been
Let Him in, Let Him in

My heart is free...

First Impressions of the Past...

Tonight I spent a little time skimming through my journal from the summer. It's funny to look back and see inside your mind through a bunch of words. Speaking of words...I think it's important to write things down so we don't forget them. However, I am a firm believer in speaking these words because they have no meaning if they are not shared. Therefore, I have decided to share just a few of my excited journal entries from the summer. Hopefully they as encouraging to you as they are to me.

June 7, 2007 6:04am:
"Well, I'm not sure if I'm ready yet, but I sure am excited! I'm sitting here on the plane watching the sun begin to rise over the Andes. It's a beautiful sight that keeps getting better as the minutes go by. There's a map on the screen that shows our flight progress and it looks like we were over the ocean most of the night. I have to admit that leaving was bittersweet. I'm very excited and anticipatory about this journey, but it's always difficult to leave friends and family. As I left, I prayed for God's protection and guidance of this trip. I can't wait to see what comes!"

June 16, 2007 12:00pm:
"I suppose I should recap the last week so I don't forget any of the memorable details of this trip. So here goes...When I first arrived at the Santiago airport, I was so excited, yet so unsure of what this summer will hold. As I left the airport and went through customs, it became real to me that I was in this new place that was nothing like I had ever seen before. It was such a strange feeling to be in a place where Spanish is being spoken all around you and everyone looks just like one another. Turns out, the Chilean National Soccer Team was behind me in customs and I had no clue until I left. Way to go Jeremy."

June 25, 2007 10:52am:
"Well, we made it to Peru! It's much different here. The people look very different and seem to have a unique presence about themselves. My first impressions of Lima were more surprising that I'd expected. The drive to our apartment from the airport was through shantytowns where the poverty level obviously ran high. The streets are surrounded with tiny houses or buildings that barely look sturdy enough to stand. We're going to be staying in La Molina, a borough of town that is apparently middle to upper class. So far, I've been more tired that anything else because of the lack of rest. We got in from Chile at 4:30am on Sunday morning and went to church at 9am. The people of the congregation were extremely welcoming! Lots of people were very eager to learn about my home and to extend their welcome to me. It was a good start to what I hope will come. The church in La Victoria is a little lower in class that where we are currently living, but we hope to spend lots of time there."

June 27, 2007 1:05pm:
"God I pray right now for my heart and for my attitude. Let it be hopeful and open to what plans you have for us here. Allow me to put my trust in you and be confident in the ways you work and will work. Bring out the desires of my heart and let them be a burning passion for you. Please allow me to find ways to share your love with those around me this summer. That's why I'm here. I desperately want to be in love with you and to feel it right now. Thank you for your blessing and approval upon my life and for giving me so much I don't deserve. I love you. Watch over and guide me."

Choo Choo!!

What a week! And still more to go! It's not very often that we spend hours and hours preparing for a block party, but this week has just been one of those weeks. Yesterday was the Second Annual Friendship House Fall Festival. There was food, there were families, there was fun! Tons of people came out to help with this celebration of good weather and community spirit. I believe I was at the Friendship House for 13 straight hours, but it was well worth it to see the beauty one another coming together in good spirits. Thanks to everyone who made it possible and especially Team Lima for your hard work!

This week will conclude with a Trivia Night Fundraiser benefiting Connecting Caring Communities. People from all over the community (hopefully) will come have some fun answering trivia questions, having food from Starbucks, Domino's, Buffalo Wild Wings, & Chic-fil-a, and also helping out CCC a bit with their presence. Pray that people come and it goes as well as planned!

Other than that, I am anxiously seeking a confirmation to the decision I am making with Conce and the future. I have spent most of the semester looking for God and what he would have of me. Honestly, it's not been the easiest process because it involves so many factors. I just take things one step at a time and pray that I am continuing to follow God's will. Thanks for the support and guidance that so many of you have generously provided me.