Some wedding pics...

Hey all,

In case you're interested in some wedding photos, you can click: http://picasaweb.google.com/nateandjenny.blogspot.com

I'll try to post an update if/when I get caught up here... Ha.

Blessings!

Jenny

All I can say... My limited words... Cannot express...

Wow!

I stand amazed right now... God is so good, so faithful, so loving and definitely so patient with me...

This year, so far, has been filled with travels to Ethiopia and India and connecting to many friends and coworkers who are radically in love with Jesus, a parasite (not so friendly) problem I picked up in Ethiopia, and carried with me to India and then home again... A trip out west to ski and get engaged, wedding planning, missing out on a trip to Colombia due to the nasty parasite (try explaining to me why I couldn't go on the trip, why it was safest for me to stay here, when so many I have grown to love were there, just a plane ride away... I cried every time I thought of it for days...), a visit from my mom and sister over Easter weekend, and all that before the first quarter of the year ended.

My trips to Ethiopia and India, once again, made me fall more in love with God, more in love with those He has created and called into a love relationship with Him, and a renewed sense of duty and calling for the 1.8 billion who have never even had a chance to choose Jesus... I am heartbroken again, at the hopelessness... At the same time, I am alive in the truth that God is sovereign and absolutely beautiful. He wants their hearts. He loves them with a passion we cannot understand as humans. I am delighted as His undending love envelops me. I am delighted that He is allowing me to work for Him in this role... I love it!

I came home from the trips honestly very overwhelmed. Three years ago, when I started, there were 20 programs, and now there are almost 100. Lord, what are you doing? Lord, can I handle this? His answer is always, "I am calling the nations into their inheritance. And yes, you can handle this, if you remember to rely on Me.". Ah, yes. Rely on Him. I'm still trying to understand that... I can no longer remember everyone's names at the meetings, but their faces, their stories, are undoubtedly etched on my heart... The testimonies of God's grace and goodness are too, and I am in awe. Truly in awe. God is amazng!

I am taking a Bible Study right now called "A Woman More Precious than Jewels" and I am challenged. The writer continually turns our eyes and hearts to the Lord, reminding us that submission to our husbands doesn't come easily and cannot come if we are not submitted to God. She also reminds us that we never sin against man until we have first sinned against God (ouch!). Loving the men in our lives comes from our heart to God. Do we really trust Him? If so, why is it so hard to trust the men God calls into our lives? Why do we try to change them? Aren't they created for God's glory? Didn't He bless us with them? It is not our job. God, help me as I prepare for marriage, to continually trust God with my life and with Nate's life. He alone is worthy and He alone can do it. God wants the best for our lives, I just know it!

My friends and mom and sister held a bridal shower for me last night. I can honestly say it will go down as one of my favorite nights of my life... So wonderful... I sat there, surrounded by 30 women, all who love me, as they poured out advice, wisdom, encouragement, etc. onto me... I am in awe that God has chosen to give me so many who love me... Who am I? It is a gift.

This life that God gives me, I am reminded as we celebrate the Easter season, is nothing short of a miracle. The gift of knowing Him, of loving Him, and of being loved by Him is astonishing. It blows my mind... God, Jesus, would die for me... He wants to be Lord and Savior to so many more! How wonderful. How tragic. I hope they can hear... I desperately want them to hear... My heart longs to know I will see them in heaven... My heart, however, cannot fathom the depths of God's heart for them... It must ache.

Nate and I are working through our premarital counseling right now and it has been so good. Hard, but good. I like it. I am challenged. In the first week, we wrote out our individual missions. This week, we got to sit down and dream together. What will God call us to? We think He will use us for sharing His love, building up the broken-hearted here in the US and around the world. It's exciting to me to be with a man who is not afraid of living cross-culturally, or counter-culturally. He is not afraid of marrying a woman who travels and lives a somewhat odd existence (by the world's standards), whose calling is a bit radical. I like it! Who knows what God will do with us? We do know for now, and always, we will hopefully remain faithful to the One who is worthy... With His help... With His help.

I love you all, thank you for your love, your friendship, your challenge in my life... I am in love with God and I am definitely in love with the Jesus I see in you... You are with me...

I think I will count this as a year where I begin to understand just a bit more of God's love for me... It is overwhelmingly sweet. I love Him.

Jenny

PS - wedding planning is not stressful, if you don't let it be :) Oh, and if you're surrounded by AMAZING people :)

Our Wedding Blog

http://natejenny.blogspot.com/

Our Mountain Top!

Hey all,

Well, I write this blog with joy, excitement and great peace... I am honored to be able to tell you that Nate proposed to me on the side of Mt. Hood in Oregon and I said yes! It was a wonderful week in Oregon, and truly, a huge blessing to promise our lives to each other that day! I'm sure you want some details, so here you go...

We flew to Portland, Oregon on the 6th to attend some work meetings with Nate's company. We spent Friday all day and Saturday part day in meetings, learning more about responding to disasters, what God is doing, and much more... in the evenings, we would hang out with friends or go on little trips into the city. I was able to relax some, which was good. I'm still fighting off this parasite problem and resting was good for me!

On Saturday afternoon, we rented a car to drive to Salem to visit my grandparents. We took the scenic route through silver falls and enjoyed the drive down. Seeing my grandparents and introducing him to Nate was such a gift. They loved him! And for those of you who may not remember... the last time I visited them, was when Galen called me about this amazing ministry I'm part of now, so their home holds significance in my life...

We spent time Saturday night catching up with Grandma and Grandpa and my cousin Stephen who also lives in Salem. What a joy!

Sunday, we woke up, shared breakfast with my grandparents, then went to the coast for some sightseeing! It was a clowdy day, which made for some great wave shows on the rocky beaches! It was a day where you literally couldn't help but praise God for His majesty and power.

Monday morning, when we woke up, I wasn't sure if we could go to Mt. Hood to ski since I have been sick and was feeling very weak from it... We prayed for wisdom, and for God to make it clear if we should ski or not. Nate told me that even if we didn't ski, we could still drive to the mountain and see what we thought when we got there. They had gotten 40 feet of snow there and it was beautiful driving along snow covered old-growth pines, I loved it! We got to the Timberline Lodge in the afternoon, rented skis, got lift tickets and hit the slopes! It was a beautiful day!!!

After a short run and chairlift ride, Nate asked if I wanted to sit down for a minute, since I was weak from being sick... We climbed over a drift, overlooking the Cascade Mountains, and carved out a love seat in the snow... He talked to me for a while, as I sat there thinking, "wow, I think this is really happening", and "just remember to breathe...". He shared that the mountain was symbolic to him of God's strength and foundation in our lives and shared that he, too, wanted to be a solid rock for me, someone I could turn to, and lean on... I wish I could remember everything he said! And if you're wondering, I teared up a couple times, but didn't cry hard, amazing! He asked me if I would marry him and I immediately said "YES!" and then we had our first kiss and he gave me the most beautiful ring I've ever seen...

Afterwards, we skied back down to the lodge, I went in, and Nate skied one more run, then we called our families and toured the lodge, which was beautiful. When we stepped outside, we were shocked to see the most beautiful sunset! Nate remarked it was as if God was saying, "I'm happy about this!!!"

We are so excited! We thank God for this beautiful gift!!! We'll keep you posted on details...

Thank you for praying for us and for being part of this journey and adventure we're on... God is so GOOD! His creation is magnificent in the scenery he paints for us, and most definitely in the man I get to call my husband...

PS - more pictures on my web albums...

Mumbai, India!!!!

THANK YOU for your prayers. We are here, we are safe, we are enjoying this time!

We remarked today at lunch how grateful we are to be part of a global family and that out of all the people in the world, God chose us to serve in this way. Incredible.

Many of the participants are here and the rest arrive this afternoon/evening, so there's a lot going on here! We will have just over 90 people attending, including local guests and the worship team. It will be a good sized meeting and one full of great joy, I am sure! We wait in expectancy for what God wants to do!

We begin the meeting with a brief gathering tonight for prayer, worship, and a bit of an explanation of ear plugs so people don't eat them like they did in Africa :) and a brief introduction. Tomorrow is when the meeting begins and we are looking forward to it!

Solo just realized today that his visa expires on the 27th and he's not due to leave until the 31st, so please join us in praying for favor as he visits the embassy here... Also pray against fear or discouragement. He and a pastor friend are at the embassy right now.

We are all a bit sleepy and tired, but not bad. We've been busy, but it's good.

Thank you again for all the ways you helped us get here. Your love, prayers, support, and help have been instrumental in things going well. By the way, things are going Very Well! There have been a few glitches, but we all keep remarking how organized and ready we feel. That's good! This team of people is incredible to work with and such a true blessing. It's fun to see their servant leadership come out in this scenario.

Anyway, we love you, we thank you, and we thank God for you!

Jenny

Few Pics from Ethiopia

Hey Everyone! Nate Here. Jenny sent a few pictures of the group at the Ethiopia training. She left Addis on the 17th (Thursday) and is now in Mumbai, India. Things are going great and she is excited about how God is moving among the participants and in her own life. The Training meetings start on Tuesday the 22nd. Blessings to You!

Whole Group minus some secure ones.

And one of her....Just because I can.
They take personal shots of all of the participants at the meetings.
This is Ethiopia.

Update from Ethiopia

Since many of you are so far away, and so many may never make it here, I
will try to paint a picture for you of what it’s like to be here. I know
my simple words can’t do it justice, but I will sure try. Thank you for
your love, support, and prayers... I couldn’t do this without you and I
know I carry each one of you in my heart as I go!

Addis Ababa, Eth-opia thus far has been a country unlike any I’ve been to,
in more ways than I could have imagined. For some reason in my brain
(this is silly, really) I thought that Ethiopia would be more like Kenya.
But it is so different in so many ways. This is a country of many
religions, of much poverty, of beauty that makes your heart ache. There
are people who are poor and needy and I’m sure, though I haven’t seen
them, people with much. They are a warm and friendly people, not as much
so as in Kenya, but in their own lovely way. A way that welcomes you with
a look, with a smile, a quiet way about them. But that is where the quiet
stops. Throughout the day and into the night, all night really, there are
noises unlike I’ve heard before. It even rivals India in it’s amount of
noise. Throughout the night, you can hear the sounds of dogs barking,
music – as loud as possible, trucks driving, roosters crowing (long before
the sun comes up), Coptic Orthodox church PA systems that are so loud, it
sounds like someone is blowing a fog horn in your ear, calls to pray by
our cousins, and banging (not sure what it’s from, but it’s loud). It’s
amazing how loud it can be 24 hours a day. You would think it would quiet
down at night, but it doesn’t.

Our hotel is frequented by UN workers and is very close to a m-sq-e and an
orthodox temple. It’s an interesting place to people watch. The varied
religious activity here makes it difficult. There’s such a big spiritual
battle going on here, it breaks your heart. I have been praying so often
for the people here, for freedom! There have been days I just put my MP3
player in to hear worship songs so I don’t become too overwhelmed with the
oppression here.

The weather here is beautiful. Blue skies, warm weather, cool breezes.
It’s nice, but does get a bit hot in the afternoons, though it’s not
humid. At night it can get downright chilly! The altitude here is 7000
feet, so it makes you feel a bit light-headed at times and a bit
breathless when hiking or walking up stairs.

The people here are varied, thus far I have seen many from Eth., Som-li-,
Sudan, and even China. The Chinese are working on the road crews. They
are attempting to make the roads nicer to drive on and let me tell you,
they need it! The roads here are so intense, sometimes you think you will
vibrate your teeth right out of your head. They would rival some of our
very best off-road courses in America. And since the roads are so dusty
because, well, they are almost all dirt roads (at least the ones I have
been on), everything is dirty. As I type this, I notice a film of dust
all over my laptop. It’s gritty. It gets in your teeth and all over your
body. Maybe I’ll turn permanently brown  from this trip.
We were able to visit a church here in Ethiopia, where many of the members
were forced underground during the years of persecution. It’s incredible
to hear the stories and to see what God has done. It’s interesting and
challenging. Galen preached an incredible sermon, one that challenged me:
how will you prepare a place in your hearts to receive God? 1. God will
come to those who are humble, 2. God will come to those with a contrite
heart, 3. God will come to those who tremble at His word, who revere and
esteem Him highly. It was Christmas Eve here in Ethiopia, so that was
special. Oh, I got to celebrate Christmas twice this year, thanks to
their different calendar.

(Traditional Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony)

The food here is interesting. There’s only so much injera a person should
consume and I think my limit was reached before I came. I have only eaten
it twice since arriving. Ah, the food. I think I got a pretty bad case
of food poisoning on my second day here, which left me very sick and very
weak for a few days. Today, Thursday, is the first day I have had energy
and joy for a few days and it’s so nice. I am so grateful for God's
healing touch and for all who prayed and joined me in hoping for recovery
during my illness. Thank you for your encouragement, it pulled me through
some frustrating times. I can tell you this, it’s never fun being sick like that, but
it’s even worse in a foreign country. Thankfully, I have a group of
amazing coworkers who picked up where I couldn’t and blessed me with
releasing me to get well. The first night I was sick, I was awake almost
all night, and for some of it I was just crying out to God, asking Him to
heal me and wondering how I was so sick, wondering why He would call me
here to let me get so sick (how’s that for a faith test?)... But, today,
the first day of the meetings, I am well! I have joy, lots of spunk, and
my smile is back and now for my favorite part of my job: the people!!!!

Most of the participants are here, except a few who couldn’t get visas,
couldn’t get in, or just didn’t come. There are people here from all over
Africa, some from North America, a few from Asia, and it’s beautiful. The
color of their skin, the sound of their voices, the way they move, it’s
all really special. God’s creativity is amazing. I have gotten to see so
many old friends, and finally meet people who have been names on paper and
prayers in my heart for all these months. It’s great. Greatest job in
the world!

This trip has been my hardest so far, no question about it, but it is
good. God has already used so many of these leaders to encourage my soul,
to lift me up, to bring joy. Just to see their beautiful smiles, painted
on the canvas that God gave to them is such an incredible gift. I love
them. I would die for them. I know they would do the same for me. It’s
hard to believe I only have six more days with them. Sad, really... Oh,
funny story, some of the leaders thought I was either very old, very big,
very much a man, or a mix of the above. It's fun to see their shock when
I'm young, a woman, and not big. ha.

Oh, for those of you who know of him, I am sitting next to Benson, the
Desert Boy, he arrived with others from Kenya this morning. So cool. I
keep thinking about his challenge to me last year, that if God is with me
I have nothing to fear. Amen!

After some meetings, dealing with lots and lots of logistics and welcoming
most participants, we heard that some brothers from Sudan were detained
for not having visas, so I jumped in a car with Tariku and one other guy
and we went to the airport to encourage and see what we could do. It was
really hard to get back through immigration and tough to sit and talk to
them. We are hopeful they will get in tomorrow morning, though it seems
unlikely. We are praying for favor and having faith. If not, they will
be deported back to Sudan.

We have just finished dinner, and I am finally “home” to the hotel and
it’s only 8:30 at night. Wonderful. I hope to get lots of sleep tonight
 I plan to plow headfirst into my pillow – it’s amazing how tired
you can get in one day at these meetings. Your brain being on overdrive
all day is hard work!

Thanks again for all you have been to me to get me to this point – for
your love, prayers, and support. Thanks, too, for those of you who helped
me get ready for this trip in so many ways. From the shirts I wear, to
the packets I hand out, it was a team effort all the way! I have also
been reading some of the wonderful cards you sent along with me - thanks!

Oh, yeah. Internet here is difficult, so you may not hear much from me...

And one more thing! On the way back from the airport (on some very nice
roads, by the way-I finally found them!), I saw a sign on a restaurant, it
had a Denver Bronco head (not kidding you) and was called Denver Café. I,
of course, squealed in delight and the driver turned around so I could get
a picture. Ah, my favorite team is even famous in Eth-opia!

Love to you all!

Jenny

-Hey everyone! I am posting this blog on behalf of Jenny. She doesn't have very good access where she is. Here is a picture of us at the airport just before she left. It hasn't been easy but God's grace is enough. Thank you for your prayers. I am so blessed. -Nate

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

a beautiful revelation in the cleaning of a barn...

This weekend I worked at cleaning out two sections of a barn with Nate at his parent's farm to prepare it for a barn party next weekend. Now this was a pretty simple task really, just moving some equipment out (I got to drive a tractor :)) and sweeping straw/pig feed/dirt/dust into piles and getting rid of it. The entire process took about four hours, and it was quite therapeutic to work with my hands. I was happily (at first) sweeping, when a big wind came through the large barn doors sort of like a wind tunnel and blew some straw back onto my already swept floor. I went back, still smiling at this point, and swept up the errant straw/dirt combination again. And once again, the winds came, and again, I swept the straw and dirt back into piles to be removed. Repeat this process multiple times and I was no longer smiling, but feeling instead quite grumpy and frustrated. I even asked God to make the wind stop. He didn't make the winds stop. But instead, a wonderful thing happened among the straw, dirt, and pig feed. God showed me something cool. It seemed as though He was saying to me, by His Spirit, "My child, this is how I feel about you sometimes. I work hard to purify you, to teach you lessons, to reveal myself to you, to love you, and the winds of life come and blow you around. You forget all I've done for you and the promises I've given for your life. You forget so easily. Hold fast to me, do not be moved by the winds of life."

As I stood there in the barn, heart full of gratitude to God, sharing the revelation with Nate, holding my now still broom, I was impressed by God's amazing patience for me. So many times I allow the winds of life to cover over or blow over God's grace for my life. Why I do this, I don't know, but leave it to God to teach me a lesson so beautiful surrounded by straw, dust, and pig feed.

Maybe this will encourage you, too. I hope so. God is so good. So gracious. So fun!

James 1:2-6

2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

Seasons

1 Peter 4:11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Wow! What a month (+) it's been!

The season has FINALLY changed here, and in the past two days we have dropped from 82 degrees to 62 degrees. Quite a change and it finally feels like fall! I had a wonderfully stretching summer, one where I feel like God was working and moving in amazing ways in my life. The summer was also an incredibly blessed summer. It is such a joy to be serving here at Global, to have the friends I have, to connect with people around the world, and to dig deeper into the heart of God. The summer was definitely one of growth and healing. God continues to push me through more issues, loving me into deeper places of intimacy with Him and I'm so grateful!

With the change of seasons, it seems like the Annual Meeting season came right along with it! We are busy planning and preparing for two of the four regional meetings we will have this year. Tefera is here helping this year and it's easier, if not in the workload, necessarily, just in the fact of knowing there's SOMEONE to help me :) And not just anyone, but someone who brings a lot to the table. I thank God for bringing him here. He brings an amazing depth of knowledge, of insight, and is fun to work with, too! So together, along with a dispersed international staff, we have begun planning for the first meeting in January which will be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. We expect between 100 and 125 leaders from Africa to join us at that meeting, along with some leaders from around the world. I'm looking forward to being in Africa again, to experience worshipping with my dear brothers and sisters there. From Ethiopia, we plan to travel to Mumbai, India (formerly Bombay). This meeting will be slightly smaller, with about 75-100 people expected. India was hard on me last year, and I've been asking God to help me be really excited to be there. I loved the people I was with at the meetings, but I was really ill there and had some less than good experiences. Please pray with me that God would give me joy to be there and that my anticipation would grow. These meetings are a lot of work, undoubtedly the hardest work I've ever done in my life. It's also a lot of travel and very little sleep. Please pray for continued joy as I work. I remember from my first year here, working in Mexico at the Annual Meeting, saying it felt like joyful exhaustion. I know the exhaustion will be there, and I'm sure the joy will be, too, as I get to see and touch and be with the people I pray for and relate to all year. A little taste of heaven right here on earth.

I'm still in awe that God is allowing me to serve in this capacity, to do what I get to do. It seems like weekly, maybe even daily, I find myself wondering why He would choose to use me at all, but being so grateful that He does. I have been thinking a lot lately that I moved here 2.5 years ago and wow! What a time it's been!!! This is more than I ever could have asked for or imagined for my life. God is SO GOOD!

My group of friends continues to stretch me, to be a blessing to me. This was a summer of serving together (we volunteer a couple of places together, and the trip to LA/MS), growing in God together, going through pain together, rejoicing in God's goodness together. I am so blessed. I have been able to spend more time with Kent and Erin and the boys and also with Allison and the boys (not as much with Jeremy as he's had a busy summer), but I continue to be completely grateful for these friendships that continue to grow and challenge me. There's something beautiful in loving people for this long... They definitely feel more like family to me than just friends.

The friends I've made in the past couple of years here also continue to amaze me. I am so blessed by each one of them and continually thank God for them.

My relationship with Nate has been such a blessing, such a time of growth and learning. Each day, I am amazed. I remarked to him last week, that 'good' is really good! We continue to hold this relationship in our open hands to God, allowing Him to move and work. We also continue to pray that God is blessed by our relationship, and that we can bless others and each other. God has definitely answered so many of my prayers with him... The more I get to know him, the more I am in awe of all that God has placed in him. He's a great mix of strength and kindness. I am blessed. Please continue to pray with us as we get to know each other.

We were able to go canoeing two weeks ago with a lady named Doreen who works at a discipleship training program we work with and her fiance Loren. It was a peaceful and fun day relating with them. Doreen and I thought Loren and Nate might be similar, and they were a bit similar, and she and I are a bit similar, so that was fun!

The guys worked HARD to help us paddle. ha ha. Seriously, this was a rare time of relaxing for them...

I got to see a lot of egrets and blue herons on the river that day. Those birds always make me think of God, I don't know why... They just get me all excited, thinking of how majestic God is...

I am so excited to be doing what God has called me to, in the place He called me to, with wonderful people, and to be able to be in full-time ministry. I love it! THANK YOU to all of you who make it possible with your prayers and support. I don't take you for granted and I definitely feel each one of you with me as I work and live.

Galatians 5 says: the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. (NIV)

Oh, Lord, help us to have that faith...

Imparting Wisdom

So, I just came to a profound realization or maybe not so profound... I was reading a blog written by a "kid" who used to come to the youth group I was a leader/pastor in... Somehow, in a matter of years, this "kid" has become a man who challenges me in so many ways. So all those years I was "TRYING" to impart wisdom on him, it probably wasn't really working. And now, he's living his life fully surrendered and is as such, imparting so much wisdom into mine. If you want to be challenged, check out his blog: http://www.stumblingafterthelight.com/ I have been looking at that verse in Galatians 5 a lot lately and I think he just explained it pretty well in his latest blog entry... "the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love"... I thank God that none of us have arrived, that we're all on this journey of learning, growing, changing, being broken, all for the sake of knowing Him and being known by Him, so He can be known in the nations. May His love go before us in all that we do...