Shape Me, Here I Am, Open, Broken, and Willing

Update first---

We had a great time with missionary friends from Hat Yai, Thailand, who visited for about a week. They have been here 8 years and were such a blessing, strength, and encouragement to us all. Wonderful prayer and worship together, it was such a blast...similar feelings like the holidays in America with all of your family. 18 children in all!!! Praise the Lord for all the children!!

We are attempting to rent the storefront for the after-school program and are meeting resistance from the owner. We feel that we are to have it up and running by October. In God's timing we know, please pray for His perfect will.

Madaline, Lake, and I will begin studying thai language again September 7. We have all been really encouraged with the language and feel it is time to study with a teacher again.

I realize that when we all work to advance the kingdom of God that we do meet resistance from the enemy. This can make life extremely challenging (to say the least). I wish I could be with each of you to really bear my heart, for now we will just skim the surface.

Life on the mission field. The last two years, easy...still a honeymoon, new things, learning language, etc...Now, the rubber is hitting the road. The ease is not here. It is hard, a true calling, and I am realizing first and foremost the seriousness of the call. The dedication that must be involved in living out God's call. Carpet time is a MUST...we cannot live without prayer, period...here or there. Try to live one minute, around here, in my opinion without calling on the name Jesus and you will be attacked. Last night, I could see the big picture and understanding flooded my heart...then, when I got up and started living life the little things became, and become, extremely hard. Of course in perfect time I read this quote:

"Trust Me, My child," He says. "Trust Me with a fuller abandon than you ever have before. Trust Me, as minute succeeds minute, every day of your life, for as long as you live. And if you become conscious of anything hindering our relationship, do not hurt Me by turning away from Me. Draw all the closer to Me, come, run to Me. Allow Me to hide you, to protect you, even from yourself. Tell Me your deepest cares, your every trouble. Trust Me to keep My hand upon you. I will never leave you. I will shape you, mold you, and perfect you. Do not fear, O child of My love, do not fear. I love you." Amy Carmichael

This quote is so amazing, such encouragement and help in times of difficulty. God please help me to always live by this. I want to run to Him at all times. He cares so much about the little problems we go through.

I regret that I do not write more, sometimes I just don't know exactly what to say. I love and we love our life here, our calling, our family, etc... God is so amazing, always moving in our lives, and we are continually hungry for more of Him. Thank you all for your prayers, love, and support as we join with the Lord in advancing His kingdom!! It is worth it all!!!!