I'm Moving In The Rain {you know the tune}

Hey! Remember that time

I told you I was thinking about moving?

Well, that thought turned into

ACTION.

And that action is taking place this week.

Right in the middle of a midwest Tsunami.

So...

Please pardon my absence.

I'm moving over here!

See ya after the holiday.

I'll have some funny stories.

Or maybe just one.

And maybe not funny, but more awkward.

It confirmed another reason

why I'm moving.

Let's just say

I've seen far too many old men

in their underoos here.

I'M OUT! 

Wednesday Things

Blogger still hasn't fixed their site to include spell check. We'll see if I care enough to go back and correct mistakes.

1. I'm currently listening to Whitney Houston playlist on Spotify because I'm missing the Whitney Houston tribute concert at the park. I feel pretty sorry for myself, except for the fact that I didn't even know it was happening until like 5 hours ago. So...

2. I ran in The Color Run! I mean like I jogged in the beginning for .5 miles and then really ran the last .5 miles. Like hurdeling someone who was rolling on the ground in yellow, dodging people and trees, running on sidewalks. I couldn't stop my legs when I saw the finish line. I bolted and it was the best feeling ever! Who the what am I?!

3. Things just recently fell into place to move A--GAIN. So, I move next weekend! What the what?! Brilliant idea. Pack and move in one of the busiest times of the year for me. When else would I do it? Why not get overwhelmed with everything all at once and then be settled. We'll see if this is bad logic. I already have an inkling. (I could really use spell check for that word.)

4. A moment of brutal honesty: 1) I shop at Walmart. And I like it. I even sometimes buy grocieries there because it's so convient to get everything I need in one spot. One of my favorite shirts is from Walmart. Scandelous I know. 2) I love McDonalds. I've tried to deny it but I'm just tired of that. My fave meal, the classic: cheeseburger with fries and a diet coke. It is maybe one of my absolute favorite things in the world. In fact I took a picture of a McDonalds bag when in Boston returning from London. I deleted it because I was embarassed of how happy I was to have McD's. 3) I also really like White Castles. I can't even begin to explain it, it just is what is. 4) We've talked about my love for Quick Trip. Originally it was for cheap gas and pellet ice. But let me just tell you QT has some mad game. If you haven't had a slice of cheesecake from there you must! I've only had it once in my life because A slice was 800 calories.... so not super healthy but TOTALLY delish.  5) I reuse ziploc bags. * It feels really good to confess all that.

5. I've made my bedtime 9pm because I like to get up at 5am well rested. This plan won't work on Monday's because of a bible study that doesn't get over until after 9, Tuesdays because of a late night show, Wednesdays because of small group that ends at 9, or Fridays because who goes to bed at 9 on Fridays? The plan works brilliantly on Thursdays.

6. I'm still in mourning over the Olympics. I'm so grateful though for friends who send me pictures of gorgeous athletes.
*** I really tried looking for a good picture to put here but the only great ones I found were from sites with domain names involving sexy olympic men. How true degrading.*** 


7. I went to the library and found a hilariously inappropriate book called Haiku for the Single Girl. Some poems were hilarious, others too raunchy, and still others that were a little to close to home that they hurt a little bit.

I feel its approach,
Inevitable as death:
Internet dating.

8. I may or may not be on the lookout for colored jeans. I hate it when I break my own fashion rules but I just can't stop imagining myself in a pair. I'm thinking green, although that may draw out my green undertones and make me look ogorish. It really happens and it's really not pretty.

9. Until I get those jeans I pretty much only want to live in sweat pants these days. I don't know what happened. Except that I do. And let me tell you this phase gets ugly. It comes with a cold, no interest in folding laundry or cleaning, or showering for that matter. It happens to me throughout the year, when I really have to convince myself that it's good to get clothes out of the closet rather than out of the hamper. Oh lazy phases.

10. I think the entire world is giving birth from the month of Decemeber to February. I however am not. I read of a group who is getting together to ban baby pictures on Facebook. Ummm... I'm not apart of the legitimate baby hating group, however all the status updates about the progress of babys is about to drive me mad. I can't eat a plum without thinking Peggypregger's baby is about this size.

11. In 4 months I'll not be able to say I'm in my twenties anymore. I'm not sure how to feel about this just yet. I already round up because I feel like words of a 30 year old are a bit more credible than words of a 29 year old. I mean what do they know, they're still in their twenties. I'm totally accidently an ageist. I really just realized this. Anywho, it's one thing to fake 30 for street cred. and another thing to legitimately be 30 and single with no prospects or children or a house or a nightly face washing routine.

12. I blame one of my students for the Justin Beiber playlist that is now on my spotify. I blame her for having me add to it everyday. I blame her that its stuck in my head. But I can't actually blame her when I listen to it at home... dang it Bieber.

Happy Tuesdays?

I hate Tuesdays but I still really love it that my dad wants to protect me from dangerous places. "I'll let you do it, but I'm not happy about it." This is what he said to make my Tuesday happy. I really love that man.

London {chunks of my heart} part 4

We spent one day out in Central London exploring. I was on a tour with my new friend Ed (whom you'll see in pics.) and others. I typically don't like touristy places so we spent alot of time in East London. Specifically Brick Lane area then headed into central and at least caught a glimpse of everything else. When I move there maybe I'll take time to visit things.... but maybe not.



Wednesday Things

1. If ever you should have to survive on an island with an average Jane chef that has limited resources you should choose me. I made ravioli with spinach and tomatoes in an electric skillet with a spatula! I've had to make lots of things in this little skillet for the past year with a spatula. Today's conquest of pasta was a success.

 2. Let me not lead you astray, that island mentioned above would have to have electricity and a store that sold frozen ravioli and spinach and canned tomatoes. I don't garden, I kill things. And I mean I kill plants, not like I hunt. Cause I don't do that either. I also don't swim in oceans.... you know what, come to think of it, I may not be your best choice if you're looking for survival.

3. This weekend is The Color Run.... I already told you my feelings on that.

4. I've been walking at a park near my house. Everyone else there is jogging. Blah. Today I went right after work because I felt laziness setting in and knew if I came home I'd never get back out. So, yes, I went in my work clothes, which today consisted of a frilly blue tank under a coral deep cut tank and a maxi white skirt with my Toms. Needless to say I didn't look the part of an athlete. At least when I'm in my "workout" clothes (which also double as my bedtime clothes and cleaning clothes) I can pretend I'm cooling down or gearing up for a big run. In this getup, everybody knows the non-athlete.

5. Sitting on the bench after my walk, a woman with a rambuncous dog that I feared was going to start dry humping my leg said I looked so peaceful. Those words were all I needed to justify my walking in my flower power skirt. To others who passed by with their jogging and bike riding I imagined them, inbetween their sharp breaths and rythmic feet thuds, thinking I was so peaceful instead of thinking who's the hippy on the bench!?

6.The dogs are barking upstairs and I would gladly punt each of them out the door to shut them up. And I mean that in the nicest, most animal freindly way.

7. This past weekend was filled with birthdays, avoiding weddings, brunch, and great friends. Went to this new to me place, Rooster. If you are a St. Louisan you must go here. If you're stopping by St. Louis swing by here. It's mostly out of the way unless you're hanging out in the downtown area but it's delish. Crepes oh plenty and other things that I didn't care about because I was craving me some crepe!

8. I'm pretty much obsessed with this now.

9. Numbers 29 and 33.

10. Did you watch the closing ceremonies. Can't get this out of my head.

11. My spellcheck here just stopped working. You wouldn't believe the fury that ran through me. I'm pretty much laost withouts sit. Dang it!

And I really, really, really wanna zingazingahh. 

London {chunks of my heart} part 3

I didn't feel quite as awful at book tables as I did at door to door. In various communities we set up book tables, handed out leaflets, and prayer walked. Along most of the sidewalks were so many others handing out things it didn't seem so out of the norm to be handing out another leaflet to people, even if this one they received brought up questions about their god(s) and Jesus Christ.

We were encouraged before going that we are not peddlers. 2 Corinthians 2:17 "Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God." It was so hard to keep this in mind standing near others who were selling their goods and in some cases their gods. How do I make God look better than what they're pushing? I confess, this was a mindset I went in and out of. Realizing I was trying to "out sell" them I'd repent and return to humbly handing fliers and smiling, as that crosses all language barriers. My God, the God of the universe, is better. He is I AM and there is not one thing I can add or take away from Him that would make Him more appealing. HE IS. Period. Evangelism, it really brings out my sin issues.

It had been a long day. An apprentice had partnered himself with me to make me step COMPLETELY outside of my realm of normalcy to do surveys with people on the street. AHHH. I'm SO grateful he was there with me though, as I felt like a bumbling idiot trying to speak without a fake English accent and listen to/understand a real English accent. What was I doing here? A question that surfaced many moments of his leading the conversation. I resisted the urge to drop the clipboard and run, though that may very well have been what happened to 2 guys who I was surveying later. In the middle of the conversation one literally just walked away while his friend stayed. Then moments later the friend, without looking at his phone said he needed to take a call and ran like the wind. Ok, maybe he didn't run from me, but he sure did disappear quickly.

Anywho, by the end of this day I was more than happy to close down the book table, and head back to LST for a concert of prayer. I had my back to oncoming pedestrian traffic as I organized bags of books from the table. I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned around to see a Pakistani ( she later told me) woman beaming and winded a bit. She asked if we were the evangelizers. I, slightly surprised by the new label as "THE EVANGELIZERS" (said in the most precious British accent), nodded questionably. I saw she had a book in her hand from our table and my brain, racing to write her conversion story, began to think of questions to ask her.
Me: So, did you read that book?
Her: (out of breath from being so excited) Yes, I..
Me: (thinking oh my goodness she's read the book and now wants to be a Christian holla! I interrupt her.) Well, do you have any questions?
Her: Yes
Me: (oh ya, this is making a brilliant story)
Her: Can I do evangelism with you?
Me: what?(......)

So it turns out Her has a name. Kay. Kay was born in a Christian home but didn't become a believer in Jesus Christ until 3 years before that very moment. She had wanted to do evangelism but hadn't found opportunities to. Kay's sister walked by the table, saw the books, picked one up, took it home in the next community over. Kay, just happened to be home. Her sister told her about the evanglizers down the way. So Kay, aching to do evangelism, hopped in her car and came down. Now, I don't know if you know about London traffic, but to get 10 miles might literally take you an hour. AN HOUR! So, just as we are closing down the table, calling it quits for the day, I feel this tap on my shoulder.

Enter Kay.

Hearing her story, we sent her with an apprentice (the same one I had been a bit pissed with because of  the surveys but actually ended up being really grateful for because of the surveys. Funny how that happens.) She ended up being invited back to LST to join us for dinner and the concert of prayer.

When I walked into LST she was there waiting for all of us to come. I went and sat with her. Now, I know women in other countries do this, but we Americans, even the touchiest, don't do this. But we held hands and literally just kept looking into each others eyes giggling and telling brief versions of our stories to each other. It was the weirdest, most special moment I've ever had with a stranger. That sounds so phony but I'm so for real! She came along and did evangelism with us for the remaining days. I LOVED getting to know this precious lady and really developing a friendship with her.

When it was time to say our final farewells to each other it was one of the most dramatic things I've ever been apart of, and I was in a theatre troupe! I couldn't find her anywhere when it was time to go. I was already one of the last ones because I'm always one of the last ones and I needed to say MORE goodbyes. So I started running for the bus, parked blocks down. As I'm running I hear some one calling my name. I turn around and she is running towards me waving. I, maybe from seeing her run and having already been in running mode, turn around and run to her. We meet in the middle with a huge hug, lots of panting, laughing, and talking. I couldn't help thinking how I would have much rather have this dramatic moment with a man, but I digress.

So tears started to come AGAIN, as they always do. With the rush of me being the last one on the bus, the people ahead of me yelling the bus is going to leave soon, my legs tingling because I'm not a runner, nor is it easy to run in awkwardly tied Ssekos, I invited her back to LST because I couldn't bare this being our last interaction face to face. So, she came back, and thank God all the drama had worn off because it was actually quite anti-climactic. But she came back, took some pictures, and we were able to say goodbye without the threat of me being in lost in London because of a missed bus.

I've been back almost a month now and we communicate several times a week. She is still doing evangelism with one the teams in London and is loving it! And I love that God chose to collide our lives together; forever impacting both of us and His kingdom for good. *Another one of my favorite stories from London.*



Kay, on her first day of evangelism.





Kay makes an endless photo shoot.



Kay makes herself at home.



Kay makes connections.





Kay provides entertainment, teaching some how to juggle.



Kay is "quite lovely!"



Waiting On The Sun

I love beginnings. I also love middles and ends because I love stories. But there is something special about beginnings, especially in life. It's officially the end of summer and the beginning of school. Students come back Monday, for better or worse.

I love the planning that happens at beginnings. Like New Year's resolutions. Only here, you work extremely hard not to let good habits slip by the way side after a month start. So, like the good teacher I am (though I gladly threw in the towel on that, so like the good teacher I am at heart) I have visions of what I want my mornings to look like so that I can maximize my days. So I bought a new planner and began planning, because a new plan cannot be implemented without a new planner. :) From the start the plan had a major kink in it though

The plan was to get up at 5, go outside if it was nice, read my bible, pray, walk, have some tea. Just enjoy the morning. Then I'd come in around 6 get ready. 7 make lunch. 7:30 be out the door so I don't have to speed to school everyday. Brilliant! Except that the sun isn't up at 5..... so.....

It was one of the more ridiculous moments I've had in my life. I woke up first thing to my alarm. Looked out my window letting my plan inspire me out of bed only to find pitch black. I hadn't thought of the sun!

A simple flip in the schedule solved things but as I got ready for the day I just kept thinking how often I do this. I live, making plans and decisions, as though the sun rises and sets on my watch. Of course this translated to my relationship to the Lord. I do feel there are great things to be done in my life, a beautiful story being written, and I am rip rearing ready to go after them but sometimes I have to wait for the sun. That doesn't mean I lay back down in bed and wait for it. But that I make adjustments so that when the sun comes I'm ready for it. I heard once this phrase that makes sense this morning, "Get busy and wait." So shall it be in my life.

{A single, hot mess, talks about marriage}

Spoiler alert: I'm single and looking for the perfect guy.
Spoiler alert: He doesn't exist!

These may not seem spoiler alert worthy to you, more like obvious, we should know this. But can I maybe suggest we don't know this as much as we think we do.

So, I'm pretty single, I don't know what exactly that means but it definitely felt like the right way to start this sentence. So I'm single and I do desire to be married someday and so it's because of this future desire that I feel obliged to read articles about marriage and singleness and learn while still single what it means to be a Godly wife. And to learn what it is exactly that I'm supposed to be looking for in the opposite sex when I say I want a "spiritual leader". And because I'm SUPER awkward around men I find the teensiest bit attractive there are articles out there to help girls like me. Except that maybe when I read lists of do's and don'ts and then it finishes with "just be yourself" I'm always a bit confused as to what I should be. So on my hunt for the perfect guy, I find that I'm not all that perfect myself... so there's that.

But on a real note, I feel like I'm coming to this place of beginning to grasp the very fringes of this mystery of both singleness and marriage. I'm finding what Paul says to be true in 1 Corinthians 7:32-35. It is SO cheesy but it just honestly is what it is right now, I really love the Lord. Like... (a long hesitation)like a husband! I know I know. In college all these way over the top girls would be like Jesus is my husband!!!! And I'd be like you're crazy! But I've come to find that my devotion can be about the Lord's affairs and this has been a place of joy and rest and much comfort. So... I really have found the perfect man. You know, cause Jesus is the only man who came and lived a perfect life. And let me say, it would be real easy (and I use 'easy' loosely here) to stay in this place of saying "the Lord is my husband" and close my eyes to any other options because of fear of what a human husband would do to the dynamics of my relationship with the Lord. It would be really easy and in fact is a place that I'm currently dancing in and out of.

Nonetheless there is still a desire for marriage. And I know I'm not alone when I say sometimes the gazing can become quite superficial. We I can judge a man and immediately write him off because of his interest in Battlestar Galactica, a lazy eye, or a loud voice. Yes, these are all reasons I've heard or expressed myself at some point. It's awful right? Because the reality is, I can watch How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days on repeat for days without batting an eye. There are unsightly things about my body. And shall I even begin to talk about my laugh that can drown out conversations because it's so loud. I would be mortified if a man wrote me off for these things. Yet, I expect perfection. And it's not only in these silly things but also in more meaningful. I hold them to a higher standard than I do myself, expecting them to have it all together spiritually and emotionally. When I know I'm a hot mess being pruned and shaped by a gracious, loving God.

I guess I'm just thinking of conversations I've had with friends over the years where one of us was complaining about men and thinking about current situations where from a selfish perspective it would be justified to end the relationship or not give it any room to potentially bloom. But I think when our perspective shifts and it becomes more about God and less about us we can look at another person, seeing their imperfections, not ignoring them and chose to look past them to the actual person. If marriage truly is a representation on earth of the fellowship of God and man (Ephesians 5:25-33), then I think it is much more about our holiness than our happiness. It doesn't make a great Hollywood blockbuster but it sure does make for a beautiful story of redemption. We are to be a tool of refining for others and in the process we too get refined. This is holiness. And it actually makes room for happiness though our happiness is not the ultimate goal.

I suppose all I'm trying to say is stop looking for the perfect person. They don't exist outside of Jesus Christ himself. And that means you too, my friend, are not perfect. We're not. It's so hard to hear, I know. But I think the sooner we understand this the sooner we have healthier marriages, the sooner the divorce rates drop, and the sooner we can actually become content and effective in marriage and singleness.

So, that's enough of the rantings of a happily single girl who wants to get married yet is confused over if she ever wants to get married. I told you, I'm a hot mess!

London {chunks of my heart} part 2

I'm not sure that I've communicated to you how much I LOVED my trip to London. Well, that's not totally true. I think you're well aware of my new found love for London but you may not know why, so the story must go on.

So in the mornings we had a session discussing missionary things. You know; the gospel, cultural sensitivity, purpose, what not. We couldn't have a bunch of Americans out on the street talking about our depravity but not mentioning Jesus, or offending the various cultures we encountered, while aimlessly galavanting around London. These sessions proved very helpful! We'd discuss something and then immediately put it into practice on the street. Brilliant strategy. Reason #1365 why I want to homeschool my kids; because this strategy works and typical school does not really allow for it.

On 3 occasions in the evening we did door to door surveys. Just going around in the neighborhoods where the churches were located and asked questions about the community and their religious background. This may not sound like a big task but it really was for me. I mean, going to someones home seems a bit intrusive and I just felt pretty umm... how do you say.... awful for the job!

So the first night we came back and it was just an all around rough experience for me and my group. I was sitting on the floor really rethinking missions because I had bombed so badly at door to door. I was thinking, if THIS is missions I don't think I'm called to this. I'm so terrible. Which really put a kink in my mood and plans because, well you know, I've thought about being a missionary for 12 years. I'm just now pursuing it for real. If this isn't what God is leading me to, I'm back at square one, not having any idea where to go or what to do. So, you could say I was feeling pretty low. When along comes this bright eyed girl. I looked up from my pit of despair on the floor to her vibrant blue eyes to hear her ask me how'd it go. How'd it go? How'd it go!!? Her eyes were filled with such hope and expectancy I felt like if I told her how I was really feeling at that particular moment I could have really pulled a Debbie Downer and crushed this poor girl. So I instead softned my tone and words and said something like, "Umm... ya, it was alright." That's really the best I could do. To which her eyes got glassy with a tint of red as she told me what a horrible experience her group had had. Can you imagine if I would have unloaded on her. Poor thing. God was protecting her, but also about to minister to me. So as she told me their story a boy from the same group popped up. Listening to what Girl was saying, nodding his head in agreement. Though they were towering over me on the floor I couldn't muster the energy to care to stand up so I countinued to sit, watching, neck crained, listening to her story.

I must have looked awkward (not unusual) because Boy was then like oh hey I havent met you yet. To which I replied ya, I don't know either one of you. They introduced themselves as Hannah and Aaron. I invited them down to my pit, which was slowly, with their presence, less like a pit and more like a normal floor. In the moments that followed I can't tell you exactly what happened because I'm not exactly sure. What I am sure of is that I'm not an elequent speaker, I rarely remember a thing, and that the holy spirit used me to speak into the lives of these 2 teens. They told me of their desires to do missions yet their fear of not knowing if that's God's will for them and the doubt of that calling. I, in a supernatural way, recalled what the Lord has taught me in the past few weeks, months, and years regarding knowing His will and feeling a call on your life that friends don't relate with. Through their tears I encouraged them and prayed for them. Just as quickly as they appeared, they were gone on to the next group thanking me for taking the time to talk with them. I, stunned at the events that had just taken place, leaned back to remotely begin processing. When a friend, as excited as could be came over with all her paperwork from door to door, sat in front of me, and half talking to herself, and half talking to me, began to recount her evening with such joy and excitement.

It was at this moment, that the Lord made it perfectly clear to me. He has gifted us each differently. He has a different work for each of us to do. I am not gifted nor passionate at this moment in my life to do door to door surveys. But yes and amen to speaking with and entering into life with some teenagers I barely know. I felt very clearly in that moment that God was saying, No, no dear one. Don't you throw in the towel yet. I can use you. I can use you.

And He can. I've been convinced of this. There are several other stories like this throughout the week in my own life, being like Lord, maybe you've not called me to this, and then in that sweet tender voice He responds, No, no dear one. I can use you. It was pretty amazing to experience this. The moment with the teens and the moments of doubt afterward. The Lord of all creation speaking into my doubt and fears, bringing calm and peace to my anxious and restless heart. How gracious He is.

Someone asked me what the best moment of the trip was. There are some other stories to come, but I have to tell you, this moment with Aaron and Hannah was such a sweet moment with the Lord that I think it tops the list. They told their leaders about me and thanked me the rest of the trip for that moment with them. But if only they knew, I needed it so much more than them.

Wednesday Things

1. I'm signed up to participate in the Color Run on August 18th. I signed up for this at a time when I might have been slightly more interested in running for fun, if such a thing exists. Truth is, it's 11 days away and I'm probably going to find more excuses to not BEGIN to prepare for a 5k. Were the Color Run more of a color walk, or color stretch I think I might have a chance of being legitimately successful. Instead, you're all invited to watch my death in an array of brilliant colors! Should be fun for all, minus me, the guy who has to hurdle over my dead body, and children looking on. Please don't bring your children.

2. People are watching the Olympics getting motivated to become better athletes or athletic like or get off the couch. I too am apart of that crowd. I watch Kerry Walsh and Misty May and am determined to go to Rio in 2016. By determined I of course mean vaguely motivated and by the Olympics I mean the pool and forget what Sheknows.com just told me about Kerry Walsh's workout routine. Instead, I splash around and get my hair to look like George Washington's frock and upon realizing the water is the temperature of tepid bath water I leave feeling I've done about the same amount of work required of an Olympic athlete.

3. I love those green doors.

4. I nearly pittled when my friend showed me one of her child's toys. It's a rocking horse, made of cut aluminum cans. Nothing says fun for hours for children like razor sharp edges.

5. I cannot get enough of sweet potato chips right now. And I mean literally right now. One hand is in the bag and another typing. So good, though I heard rumor that I may regret this later. I'm like a 14 year old here, I can't begin to think about consequences when these are in front of me.

6. So then I tried to be cool and order something different at a Thai restaurant. This was the result. Stephanie ended up eating my mistake. She likes lichi. I thought lichi looked like eyeballs in juice on ice.

7. Meetings start for school today which would be fine except that I'm in the middle of trying to figure out how to go back in time to relive London. So... a job actually interrupts that process... so...

8. Actually, the list maker/planner in me is looking forward to getting back to a regular schedule. I can go overboard real quickly with that though. So... the goal, balance it all. HA!

9. Annie will probably slay me for posting this picture, but I just LOVED it too much to let it sit in my phone for my eyes only. Isn't she one of the most beautiful things you've ever seen?! love her. and Winslow's Home. and glass coke bottles. and sliding ladders. and well designed shelves. so pretty much everything about this picture.

10. My thighs still hurt after dancing to this and this  at a reception this weekend. Oddly enough though I think all that dancing may have healed my back.

London {chunks of my heart} part 1

It's been 3 weeks since I returned from London. I can hardly believe that because every day my heart longs for it so much it feels like I've been here but a few days and am still recovering. Instead, the reality is I've been here 504 hours and have thought of London well over 504 times. So, it suffices to say I may have left a chunk of my heart in London.

 I arrived in London a day earlier than the majority of the team. This was good for me, cause it turns out I'm not immune to jet lag like I once thought. I got to hang out in Shepherd's Bush, visiting with friends and joining a beginning church plant meeting. Buphinder and I snuck over to a cafe to grab some ice cream before the meeting. Dessert before a delicious dinner was not a brilliant idea but sometimes you have to live to learn.

When everyone arrived we went to the Hindu temple in Wembly. I don't know if you've ever seen a Hindu temple up close and personal but it is some kind of beautiful! The hand carvings are so intricate and delicate. Absolutely stunning when you think that human hands created this. Something that I appreciate about God is that He has an ability to bring glory to Himself even in places that seek to honor other gods. I love that He can lead us to worship Him, in awe of how He's created people with various talents and abilities to create beauty.Worship Him, YAHWEH, not that which He's created. So here's how you can pray:  Isaiah 2:20  That one day very soon they would cast away their idols of silver and their idols of gold, which they have made for themselves to worship. Isaiah 40:25&26, 28 That they would experience the incomparable Holy One. That they would lift their eyes and look to the heavens: recognizing the one who created all. That they would worship the one who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Pray they would know the Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.

 The following day we went to Southall to visit a Sikh Gurdwara. (I would be remiss to not mention my sadness of hearing the evil that lurks in mans' heart.) Here we covered our heads and removed our shoes, shuffling throughout the building taking in the sights, sounds, and smells. They begin cooking at 4 a.m. to feed those who will come in throughout the day until midnight, both Sikh's and non-Sikh's alike. The atmosphere is very quiet in prayer with exception  to the people singing from their holy book at the front. You can pray that these beautifully generous people would know the Savior. And Hebrews 9:27 &28  That man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgement. And that Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and He will appear a second time to bring salvation to those
who are waiting for Him.  


Afterwards we went to a Muslim Mosque and were able to ask questions to the treasurer and Imam.  Pray that they would know the assurance of salvation through Jesus, something Islam can never offer them. Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast.

And all along the way these first few days were these new beautiful friends of mine The Solos (Anne, Lisa, Emily, and Kay). Kay actually didn't join us until later but whatevs. You'll read of her story later.

So, that's my first 3 days in London. I have to say I walked away from those visits feeling overwhelmed and under qualified. Could God's hand actually extend here and bring people to himself? I had my doubts, but as was a theme for me throughout the trip, God was ready to meet me in the midst of my doubting.

 Isaiah 59:1 "Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear."