it's here!

it has been a crazy couple of weeks. i'm at the point of exhaustion similar to the completion of an mcia "heaven week". i've inhaled an abundant amount of paint fumes during poster-making, endured hours of workshops and lectures during training, stayed up til the wee morning hours preparing the hall and i've forgotten what a "good night's rest" is. but no real complaints, God's really been sustaining me despite my tiredness. i've been learning that His grace really is sufficient for me. i've made a bunch of new friends (i love the ME staff!) and God has revealed so many witnessing opportunties. please pray that God equips me with the knowledge and love to pursue these friendships and direct them towards Christ. in a couple days, 83 fresh faces will fill this rather quiet hall. i can't believe it's so soon! but im as ready as i can be. i pray that the Holy Spirit fills me to guide these young'ns in a positive way.

=========
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
[Colossians 4:2-6]

(come check out Brent Lee's artistic genius all over my hall!)

========

on top of all this, the bfriend made his way across the nation to the big apple. up until his departure, people kept asking me how i felt about him leaving. i really could not give them a consistent answer. i am excited to see what God has in store for him for the next year, i am proud of him for stepping way out of his comfort zone, i am encrouaged by how he made use of the last of his time in california, and yes i am a little bummed i won't get to see him on the weekends. but i praise God for this distance. it's a big test to our relationship and trust in God. distance does not (and should not) determine how much we encourage each other and with various methods of technology, i don't feel like it will greatly hinder our relationship. yes, it will have its challenges but we know we still have Christ in our hearts and support for each other even if we're on opposite sides of the country. i highly doubt God would call him out there if He thought we couldn't handle the temporary separation. and i feel like God's really prepared us for this change. some people are surprised by our approach to our relationship and some even tease, but we strive to put God first in our individual lives even then everything else just works out. he's such a blessing in my life and i know God is working out big things for you, jurr.

im praying for you.