Prayer Update

Hi all,

This post will be shorter in length, without much personal reflection or update from me... It's mainly to ask for prayer... though for a personal update, things are going really well, really, really well!!!

This past week has been incredibly stressful as we prepare for meetings, update most of our publications, and relate to leaders around the world. As some of you know, okay, as any of you who actually know me understand, I have a bad habit of saying "yes" to a few too many things and not balancing well... So this week, I have learned a few things:
1. I need to make sure I rely on God for my strength, not on my abilities or my strength (does it seem like I've learned that particular lesson before???)
2. I need to say "no" to a few more things, even when they are good things (again, I think I've learned this before...)
3. This is my busiest time of year and I need to remember to have fun with it

So many times in life, I think by human nature, we forget to ENJOY what God has placed in front of us. So please pray for JOY and GRACE for me. I have noticed in the past few weeks, that my mood has been a bit on edge and I don't like that. I don't like it when I'm short with people or grumpy. I know I have a choice as I live and relate in how I act, my conduct, my mood, the way I feel/treat people; so please pray I can make good choices in that area... I have noticed the more I pray for God to refine my character, the harder I'm hit with the things that will refine me. That's good, but hard!

We leave for Ethiopia on January 4th and it seems like that date is approaching very rapidly. Thus far we have 105 people on the invitation list for the Ethiopia meeting and about 95 on the invitation list for India. While this is exciting on one hand, on another hand, it's daunting. Please pray for the planning and preparations to go well as we continue to grow. I realize the ONLY way any of this will work well is by God's grace. I know the times we will have together will be incredibly fulfilling as well as incredibly exhausting. I have been here 2 1/2 years (!!!!) now and I think it will get easier, but it doesn't, because, you see, God is always doing new things, pushing us past where we were yesterday... I now have the privilege to work with almost 95 programs around the world who long to see Jesus known in the nations. I thank God for this opportunity. It's a chance of a lifetime.

I am so grateful today that God has called me here, to be able to see His heartbeat around the world, that He is continually molding and shaping me into the person He needs me to be in Him, and for each person who supports me in prayer, giving, and encouragement. Today was payday and I was praying like crazy that I would have enough to pay my bills and I do! God is so good and faithful and I thank you for being faithful, too! I mean it when I say you are here with me as I work. I think of you all so often...

Okay, so this wasn't shorter in length. Ha. Oh, well, I really did try... Much love to you all, Jenny