Pr*yers and Praises

"And my G0d will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Chr1st J*sus."

-Philippians 4:19

With joy and thankfulness do I testify to the truth of this verse. G0d does see and know our needs and He does provide for them all through His abundance. This past month of support-raising for my China trip has been an unparalleled opportunity for me to witness G0d's generosity in action. I hoped to raise enough to cover my expenses directly with the orphanage (room and board, etc.) this summer, but realistically didn't believe it would happen (oh me of little faith!). I watched in awe as that goal ($1500) was met and then surpassed, allowing my personal expenses (airfare, insurance, and visa) to be fully covered as well, down to the last dollar.  Even in little things, He has provided as well. Extra shifts at work and last-minute babysitting jobs have popped up out of nowhere to help make up for the work I will miss in the next two months. In addition, He raised up numerous pr*yer supporters to meet my sp1r1tual needs now and while I'm gone. So it's with utter humility, awe, and gratitude that I look at all this, stand back from it knowing that none of these blessing have come from *my* hands or efforts, and say "G0d is good!" 

If you reading this are one of those who have supported me either through prayer or financial giving, please feel my deep appreciation for the sacrifice you have made on my behalf. You have been very visible instruments of G0d's blessing and love to me this past month and I thank you so much. May G0d richly bless you for your generosity!

Pr*yer requests for the next 22 days (!!!):
-efficiency and fruitfulness in all my packing and prep work for my English class (I'll be teaching the first two weeks solo before another intern arrives). Pr*y that everything will just come together smoothly so I'll be ready to go!
-peace and a quiet heart before G0d with all the last-minute details, stresses, and worries that come up before a big trip like this. In my past experiences of traveling, the few weeks before actually getting on the plane are when I'm most prone to be fearful or anxious about all the "what-ifs" (once I actually get to the airport adrenaline kicks in and I run on sheer excitement and anticipation for a very long time!). Pr*y that I would just be trusting God fully to provide for my preparation and traveling needs.
-a heart that is ready to be broken and spilled out in service for my King through loving on these precious orphans. Pr*y that G0d would be preparing me to face all of the things He has in store for me this summer, especially those things I can't anticipate or imagine, and to respond to all of it--happy or hard--in ways that bring honor and glory to His name.

Thank you all again for your love and support!

*note: you will notice that any rel1g1ous names or terms will be misspelled, abbreviated, altered, etc. This is intentionally done to protect my brothers and sisters and their work in Ch1na. Thanks for understanding!*

A Cry for the Gardener

My pr*yer request lately, as I count down the last 46 days until my great adventure begins, is for G0d's hand to be preparing me adequately to receive and not waste all the lessons and experiences that will be coming my way. I pray that now He would be pulling away the old, rotting, self-protective "mulch" I've wrapped my heart in--that which makes me flee from a suffering world and Kingdom laboring--and instead be tilling my soil with the nutrients from His Word so that it will be soft and receptive to the seeds He will plant during my time in ChIna. I could miss so many great teaching moments or instances to gaze upon the beauty of my S*vior this summer if my heart gets too focused on me and my personal fulfillment and desires. I pray then instead that my s0ul would be ready to yield a great harvest of righteousness and the fruits of Chr1st's spirit from all the experiences that will be planted in me. For those who have committed to pr*ying for me this summer, I would be most grateful if you would join me in raising this petition to the G0d who causes all good things to grow. May He alone be glorified and may I live to show off the beauty and joy of His garden tending!