Don't be tired. Don't be weary. Pack your weakness in your bag and head on out. He will be there. You don't wanna miss it. You LIVE for this.
So we hit the road for Girl's Retreat tomorrow, and my system wants to gear down, not up, facing this next week. I am so tempted to rest right now, in all the wrong places; to look for ease and comfort here - as if heaven were not coming to me. as if He has ever left me without the rest and provision I needed. as if my best and happiest moments have not been in laboring with Him anyway.
As I go to teach about a race that's worth laying aside every hindrance to finish, its funny how I find myself entangled with the affairs of everyday life. God, loosen the grip of my selfish, lazy heart and set me free to cherish YOU in a life that is real, exciting, demanding, and eternal.
Please Pray. A lot of what we do at this retreat is minister to others through prayer. The warfare is spiritual in nature, and we're walking into it. So pray for your sisters as they prepare to be soldiers. Jenna, Lindsey, Christina Wine, Shaina Smith, Amie Danaher, Laura, Krissy, and Katie Hinton, Sheneka and Treneka Gross, Michele and Kristen Marks, Natalie Powers.
Pray for faith to believe Him. Pray for physical stamina and health (which is questionable for a few of us right now.) Pray for good, wise preparation so we'll be ready for whatever is thrown at us. Pray for total sensitivity to the Holy Spirit; and for obedience. Pray for the girl's hearts - that lies would be cast down and truth would enter; that God would heal. Pray for God to overcome and work through any logistic/equipment problems, etc. Pray that we would be protected from the evil one and be empowered to tear down his kingdom Pray that we would love our Savior Jesus with a white-hot love.
While we are “out on a mission” in the remote location of Burkeville, VA, we will not have internet access much of the time. Please know that we love you, think of you, appreciate the war you are doing for us in prayer, and can’t wait to catch you on the flip side :P
Memory over-load. Cleaning my room today, I found a folder filled with things people had written for me while I was living at a christian ministry center in Indianapolis (South Campus). Sorting through it was something of an emotional roller coaster, but one I enjoyed this time around :) I found this birthday letter from my Uncle Joe and - since it's near my birthday and he is quite entertaining - I thought I'd share part of it. Here it goes.
"My Dear Jumpin' A little bird told me that you have a birthday coming up. I told the little bird that I would write you a letter if he stopped bothering me. I have celebrated many birthdays alone, thousands of miles away from loved ones, and I know how it can feel. Did you bring your guitar with you? David wrote most of the psalms while hiding in the desert away from his family and under lonely and trying circumstances. Look at the bright side. At least you have toilet paper and do not have to eat locusts. Have a seat while I proceed to ramble a bit. How long will you be where you are? Well, I mean, you will always be where you are, (aren't we all?) but how long will you be doing what you are doing? I hear that the circumstances are somewhat trying. Tremble not little grasshopper... Trying circumstances are good in many ways. You learn to depend on the Lord. You realize, or are reminded, that life is full of difficult circumstances, in which we all need experience. Passing through them makes you stronger (...) It will make you able to be a better and more effective friend, mother, wife, and person."
And with many other words he encouraged me. :) And it encouraged me all over again today. The memory of His faithfulness overwhelms me.
Yes. I got sucked into doing the Relay for Life (American Cancer Society) ok? But this is how it happened.
My work was putting together a team and they were all jazzed about it cuz it's this big deal in King George... and as i was sneaking out the door they were like, "Jenna's gonna do the Relay for Life, right??? Aren't you gonna do the Relay for Life Jenna???"
I mean SURELY JENNA is gonna involve herself in ANYTHING that's volunteer. lol. I mean it even has the word LIFE in it, Jenna's pro-life.... ;)
There was like no doubt in their minds. And it hit me - that they know me as a person who wants to give and help. I have this problem of self-centeredness... yeah... that you've gotten to read about in some of these notes:) But I spend time praying that i would be known as someone who loves, who follows Jesus and gives. And at work, they know these things. And I'm grateful.
So - THUS - I was sucked into the Relay for Life. And I have to raise some money. I told them I would rather ask people from my church and my pro-life group than use their awkward fund-raising tactics on strangers...
If anyone reading this would like to donate $5 or $10 to: #1 - raise money for the American Cancer Society and #2 - save me from having to do dumb fundraisers
then checks can be made out to the American Cancer Society and my address is: 7109 Stuart Rd King George VA 22485
cash can just be handed to me :)
Please PRAY for my continued testimony at my work place, for the precious, hurting people there, and that God would glorify His own great name.
Check this out. I am apparently going to have the privilege of working with this these artists in the future, as a writer. How cool is that? It's called The20 and they turn out these art projects periodically, and eventually, I think, there will be a book of them for sale. On this first project, however, I only model lol :) I'm in it 3 times. Ok, one photographer just submitted pictures I happen to be in. Well, in one it's just my arm but anyway. I think this thing is the bomb :) They did such a good job!
The20 Project |: REST In conjunction with Revolutionary Media. Contributing artists: Kaylynn Marie Clark Elijah Turrell Susie Yoder Christina Dickson Julianne Peters Rach Fikile John McPherson Sarah Danaher Writer: Sarah Danaher Artistic Director: Aaron Dodson Project Manager: Christina Dickson
