Entry 7 - Rafting

A lot has happened since I last blogged.
I risked my life, almost saw Jesus a few times, and had all the chocolate bars stolen from the house.
With that said, I feel the need to explain a little.haha
On Friday, all the interns, Ethan, Amanda, and the Sheers (with the exception of Lee) went white water rafting on the Nile. It was so intense! We went down class 5 rapids and a waterfall. CRAZY! I fell out three times in class 4 and 5 rapids. Our guide Henry 2 was amazing. Arin and Scott Sheer, Baylee, Megan, Kelli, and Jordan were all on my raft. In order to allow you to experience just a little of what i felt... i am going to describe to you one in particular instance we encountered while rafting.
The Waterfall:
At one point of the day, we were going to go over a waterfall... about a 10 foot drop. We had been preparing ourselves before hand...going over rules and practicing rowing the boat so we would be ready for the fall. Well, we started rowing and got about 20 feet from the fall...then all of a sudden the boat shifted! We started heading towards a huge rock at the top of the waterfall. Within the next few seconds we had crashed into the rock,..and got stuck on top of it in a sideways position! On one side of the boat i can hear Baylee, jordan and Kelli all screaming! I was just thinking, O Lord! help us! haha. Later on, Baylee explained to me that when she looked over the side of the boat,...all she could see was straight rock...the boat had stopped the water from going over the rock...It was a straight drop to the bottom! If we had flipped over...we all would have been goners...stuck under the boat, the water, and the waterfall. Luckily, Henry jumped out of the boat...i know what you are thinking,..how can it be a good thing for the guide to be out of the boat....but, he started pulling the boat off the rock with his own strength...We finally got unstuck and flew down the waterfall!
I will definitely have pictures posted when i get back to the states. The computers are too slow here to upload a lot of pictures.

A few of us were thinking about going rafting again before we leave. I'm still contemplating the idea.

Saturday we all went out and ate dinner at a really nice restaurant in town. It was so much fun! Definitely where backpackers hangout. The view of the Nile from the restaurant was breathtaking! Unfortunately, when we returned we found all the computers in the house to be turned on and all the chocolate gone from the pantry. Some of the children snuck into the house while we were out, and decided to make themselves comfortable. haha...whole bag of chocolate bars, and all. So, now they are reaping the consequences of their actions.

On another note, things are going better with Gloria! She is feeling much better! We went to the swings today for a while,...then we sat in the shade of a tree outside the house, and colored for a while. i am so glad her health is better! Thank you for all of your prayers! The Lord is answering your requests!


"And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:13-16


Prayer Request:
- Gloria's health
- Wisdom in how i spend my time
- God to help me love others that are around me
- unity within the intern team
- perseverance/ standing strong with the last two weeks i am in Uganda.
- Health for Eddie and Phillip - both HIV+ children here at the orphanage. ( i went to the hospital with them last week, i still need to blog about my experience at a Ugandan hospital)

Thanks again for all of your prayers! I cant wait to tell you all about it in person!

Entry 6 - Boxy?

I have not been on the Internet in a long long time. Things are getting busier each day. But, ironically its not in the busyness we experience at home. The things that fill your time here are all primarily focused around children. Almost everything i do now centers around investing in the school children and the interns that are here.
For the past four afternoons, (after 4 o'clock) i have been spending my time being an airplane, bunny, boat, and karate instructor...hahaha......
i know that sounds weird. but, i have my "play time" with the village kids after they get off of school. It's so much fun!!! Definitely brings me back to my childhood. Its amazing to be running around pretending you're an airplane with about 20 other little airplanes following you!
I try to show the love of Christ to the children here by spending time with them. In fact, they all expect a hug now, before I leave each afternoon...today they literally lined up and all gave me a hug, one by one. - All voluntarily planned -HOW SWEET!!! Of course there were those who jumped on me...and the rest followed. The children here are a prime example of the fact that people are people...no matter where they are from. We all have desires to be loved, wanted, cared for, and nurtured.

Little update on Gloria:
Gloria has been really sick the past four days, but thankfully today she is feeling much better. I went in to get her on Monday, and she had a really bad temperature. Poor thing was unable to even get in her wheel chair most of the week...But, today she had enough strength to take a stroll to the swings. She laughed the whole way there... I think she was just glad to be out of the house. Please continue to pray for here though. (For a complete recovery) THANKS!

Please also continue to pray for unity among the interns here... The Lord has definitely made his presence known among us...but pray for the continual reminder that we should desire to live in His presence ALL THE TIME.
We have planned to have a dinner, movie, and game night tonihgt. YAY!

I also feel the need to mention that in the time it took me to write Entry 5 and Entry 6, I got box braids. Basically little bitty braids all over my head. haha,... but, after three days of having them in....i took them out. They were really hot and heavy! It was difficult going from short hair to thick long hair all in 6 and a half hours....thats right..it took 6 1/2 hours for them to braid my hair...hahaha.... i watched 2 1/2 movies: The Princess Bride, Miss Congeniality, and 1/2 of Stranger than Fiction.

Anyways, enough with hair news...

A special thanks goes out to Rebecca for the letter i read this morning!! The Isaiah 6 reference definitely allowed my heart to have the right focus this morning!

Thanks again for all of your prayers! I can't wait to see all of you soon!

Entry 5

Time is going by a bit faster now that we have all adjusted to our schedules. Kelli and I have begun our tutoring program for the students. This morning went really well with the students. We discussed punctuation marks and using correct capitalization. I can't wait to start teaching on a regular basis.

Last night, the intern team decided to grill out. We had burgers, with no buns, and some "chips". The "chips" were cut up slices of potatoes, fried in the skillet. Yum. Thanks dad for teaching me the art of potato cooking...haha.

The Lord has really taught Baylee and I how to rely on HIM for our strength. It has definately been a trying experience, but He is in total control of everything. He has the whole world in His hands. AMEN.

However, it does get difficult when I think about home, and Kirby Woods. I miss the body of believers back home, but I must also not allow these emotions and feelings to shadow the plan and purpose God has for me here, in Uganda.

Gloria has been a little fussy lately, but I have implemented coloring into her daily schedule. She loves to color and to be held. I think what she really needs is some human affection.

Rita is my new best friend here... She is so sweet. She's 13 years old. I am going to try and invest more time with her as well.

Random, but....

We will be going out to dinner tonight. Pizza. YUMMY!!!!

Please continue to be praying for unity among the intern team, and for safety as we travel in and out of town. Also, be praying for Jordan, one of the intern team members. He fell and hit his head on concrete today... while playing in the rain. African rain is amazing to watch...haha. But, his wound is pretty deep. Its super glued shut now...but it still hurts. I will def. be posting some pictures.

Love you all...

Entry 4 - Quick Update

I am currently sitting in a small coffee shop in Jinja. Kelli and I went to town today to make copies of worksheets, and to purchase school supplies for our tutoring program we are beginning next week. We both feel like we would be of greater service to the GSF students and school staff if we worked one on one with students who are struggling in classes. Thanks for praying for our ministry with the school. God is moving and giving clarity as to what He wants us to do while at GSF.

The educational system in Uganda is very hard to work with. There is basically no type of structured and organized curriculum for teachers to use, and you must get government authorization to teach anything other than what is currently being used. The school at GSF is one of the better schools in the area, but there is still great need for books and other school supplies that would make learning more interactive and intriguing for the students. Baylee and I are praying about doing a fund raiser when we return to gather gently used books and school supplies for the kids at GSF.

Kelli and I are also organizing the library at the school. Many books have been donated from schools in America. I found it funny that there were books about Florida's history, Native American Indians, and slave narratives.

Gloria, Cathy, Kelli and I had a dance party today. Both Cathy and Gloria love music. I think we may integrate "dance time" into our everyday activities. YAY!

Please pray for relations with the interns and the teachers at GSF. Pray for unity and discernment from Kelli and I as to how to handle the tutoring program. We don't want to step on any toes while we are serving here at GSF.

Also, can you pray for another girl that is here for two weeks with another team. She has been sick and running a fever. Also, pray for Adam. He has been feeling under the weather, and may have a case of malaria.

The four girl interns and Amanda have decided to have a girls day Friday. We will be going to town and to a garage sale. Amanda is trying to furnish and decorate her home, and we thought we would help her out a little. :)

Oh, and I am probably coming home with box braids. Yay.

Until next time, i love you! Thank you for all of your prayers!

I finally have some photos posted!!! YAY!

Entry 3 - School Time

Whew. Today has been really good. Tiring, but really good. And its just the morning. I went to the school around 7:40am and helped kelli teach a match class. The class was going over the ones and tens place. We used counting sticks and circles. It was interesting to say the least. The children seemed to understand by the end of class.

Yesterday, Kelli and I had a girls day with Gloria and Cathy, two of the special needs children. We painted finger nails and toe nails. They loved it. I am growing to love them more and more as I am here. Praise God!

Gloria and I went for a stroll this morning. It rained last night, so the ground was a little wet, but we loved it anyway. I thank you for praying for the relationship building between Gloria and I. I love her smile, and I want her to know she is loved.
Pray that the Lord will guide my heart in how to work with her and to better understand her needs. While we were out, we met up with Sam, and some of the younger children. Today was also a monumental day. It was the first time I was called "fat" by one of the children...hahahahaha. How nice. Here, it is a compliment to be called "fat" because they see it as beautiful. I knew it would happen, and im just glad no one else was around to hear. But, now of course, i am telling you about it. Oh well.

After walking with Gloria, I went back to the school to read to another class, and it was wonderful. The book I read was called "The King's Children" by Max Lucado. It was so much fun. At the end, I paralleled the King with God, and stressed the importance of giving God out time and heart. During class we prayed for four of the students who were out that day due to sickness. The children loved praying for their friends.
God really showed up and made an awesome display of His love and power to children and also to me. Prayer works, and I thank you for praying for me, too.

Amanda made it safely last night. She is so sweet!!! Very funny, and we were wearing matching, (well, almost matching)clothing. She will be here for two years!

We will be cooking our own meals from now on while we are here. Pray for us. haha.
Tonight we will be having Chili. Yummy.

Today, I encourage you to read Psalm 36:5-12. Please pray that I will continue to meditate on these verses while I am here.

"In Your light we see light"

Till' next time! Love you all, and thanks for praying! May God bless you as you continue to life me up to Him.

P.S. - I will be teaching English on Monday. We will be going over parts of the body. Ha. Spelling of words, etc. Pray the Lord will guide my heart and the students will see Christ in me.

p.p.s. - Caitlyn, i read one of your letters yesterday!!!! THANKS! The LORD really used it to minister to my heart in preparation for teaching Sunday School on Sunday. You are being used in Africa, even while you're in America. Love you sister!

Entry 2

I finally have the computer.... YAY!!! Its a hott commodity here, and i finally have my turn. :)

Last time i wrote, i asked for you to pray for me because i was going to the school for the first time. I wanted to thank you for praying, and let you know that everything went really good! We received the schedule for all the classes two days ago,and have been planning out our schedule for the following weeks. We will be sitting in on classes all this week to get a feel for how the school system works. So far, i have been to three classes. The system used here is in poor condition, and there are no lesson plans in sight! The students are eager to learn, but the resources are limited.

Today, i will sitting in on two more classes. YAY! i also get to read a letter from Caitlin, i am sooo excited! She gave Baylee and I a folder full of letters to read while we are in Uganda.

I have also received my assignment to my special needs student. Her name is Gloria. She is in a wheelchair, and had to go to the hospital yesterday for a check up. She has seizures sometimes, and goes to town to get checked ever so often. Pray that the LORD will use me to minister to her, and the other special needs children. I was able to spend time with Sam, another disabled student, yesterday too. He is in a wheel chair and cant feel anything from the waist down. We strolled along the road, and played around the slide yesterday. He loved it. Sam is one of those children who grabs your heart and will never let go. I cant wait to post some pictures of the children on here. I just need to find a faster internet connection. ha

The showers are still cold. But, the girls are moving to another building later this afternoon. I cant wait to have more space, and a hot shower.

There is a team coming in today. Pray for their safety in traveling. They will be here for two weeks. Amanda is also coming today. She will be here for the next two years as a tutor for the missionary's children.

Sorry, i have to go so quickly! This is an abrupt stop to the post. I will write later.

In Christ.

Uganda- Entry 1 contd...

Last time i wrote a note, i was in a hurry, so i wasn't able to go as in depth with my arrival in Uganda or at Good Shepherds Fold. The plane rides from the states to Uganda were quite the experience. I had very interesting people sit next to me from both Atlanta to Amsterdam, and Amsterdam to entebbe. One was an Indian man, mid thirties, who kept belching during the whole plane ride, and the other was a man from Germany, mid forties, who made four dress changes while on the airplane, and who also took off his shirt while i was sitting next to him. When i saw him doing that, I got up and proceeded to act like i had something in the overhead compartment i needed to get. haha. can anyone say awkward.

When we arrived in the city, it smelt just like Lima, Peru. Which was interesting to me. Brought back good memories, and made me look forward to what the Lord was going to do this summer. While in the city, we grocery shopped and ate at a "food court". Which was an adventure in itself. Let me explain the "food court" experience. You proceed to sit down at a table, while about 6 to 7 people from all the different food vendors swarm around you, showing their menu to you...sometimes really aggressively. If anybody knows me, you know that i am so bad at making decisions about almost everything. I analyze, debate, and constantly change my mind when it comes to making a quick decision like food selection. haha I finally decided on the vegetarian lasagna,..which was REALLY GOOD. it was recommended by Amy Gwartney. So that helped.

The drive from Kampala to GSF was long, but seeing the city was an eye opener to all the poverty that is still there.

When we arrived at GSF, we were greeted by a mass of children singing, playing the drums, and dancing. Handpicked flowers were given to the girls, and the children were so beautiful. I don't think i can ever forget that moment in my life. I wish all of you could have experienced it.

Tomorrow i am going to the school at 8 in the morning to introduce myself to the students I will be teaching!!! Please pray that the LORD allows intentional relationships to form with them.

MAY ALL GLORY BE GIVEN TO THE GREAT CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE!

Uganda - Entry 1

So, i made it to Uganda!!!!!!!! It has been such an amazing experience. I cant wait to post pictures. The orphanage is wonderful and the children are so sweet! The view from where we are sleeping is beautiful! The internship team is definitely interesting..haha
Today we attended our first church service here at GSF and it was so much fun! the children love to sing loudly! I have picked up a few words of the Luganda language, the native tongue of the villagers where we are, and am looking forward to using them with the children :)
Well, that's all i can write for now because people are waiting to get on the computer. ( We only have one) so, here are some prayer request:
1. The internship team can have unity
2. We can remember the names of the children,... there are so many, but i am trying to remember them all.
3. The children will grow in their relationship with the Lord
4. Protection from sickness - such as malaria
5. 1 Unspoken
6. Sunday school next Sunday -- the interns will be teaching next week, so pray we are sensitive to what the Lord wants for us to teach.

Thanks for all of your prayers!!!!

Wilderness

So, life has been normal. Which may be a good thing. Not sure yet. I feel like its the calm before the storm. Which is in a way satisfying. I'm not sure why. Maybe its because I am realizing how amazing it is that God is preparing me for it. He is not going to let me go. He is not going to leave. He is truly faithful, even when I loose faith.

I pray that this summer will be used to bring glory to God, and to strengthen and grow my relationship with Him. I need more of Him. DESPERATELY.

I was reading in Matthew, and I found something interesting that I have always missed. When the Devil is tempting Jesus, It never really clicked that Satan didn't tempt Christ until AFTER Jesus fasted. Get this : Jesus spent 40 days, fasting and getting closer to God. ( what an intimate picture of love) Yet, when the 40 days ended, who was there to try and persuade Jesus to bow down and worship him?- Satan.

And then, I was paralleling this encounter, with times in my life where I am completely on fire for Christ, when I am running the race with endurance, fasting, praying frequently, and loving others more out of the overflow of my encounters with God. But,... soon after, I feel like I am becoming more tempted to fall back into old habits. To succumb to what makes me feel most comfortable. To justify my laziness ( in response to what Christ is calling me to be [living radically]) by comparing my life to others.

But, i must remember, Christ has conquered Satan. He has won the victory. Even in Matthew, when tempted, Christ prevailed.

"24.He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed. 25. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls."
1 Peter 2:24-25

Revelation 15:3-4
"And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,

3 'Great and amazing are Your deeds,
O LORD God the Almighty!
Just and true are Your ways,
O King of the nations!
4 Who will not fear, O Lord,
and glorify Your name?
For You alone are holy.
All nations will come and worship You,
For Your righteous acts have been revealed"

Family Vacay

Two weeks ago my family took a mini family vacation to Florida! It was so much fun, especially since we haven't been on a family vacation in a really really long time. I think the last one was when I was still in middle school!

Anyway, we had a very relaxing retreat, and it was so nice to not have to worry about things back home. I feel like it was just what I needed before the hustle and bustle started of getting last minute things done for packing in preparation for Uganda. Now, I look back and am really glad we went. I have some pictures on here of the fam. I had to use the timer on the camera, so the angles aren't the best, but they still turned out good! :)

There was actually a wedding on the beach one night we were there. The couple was staying in the condo we were in. From what I heard from my dad, it was really pretty. The bride's father walked his daughter down the boardwalk from the condo and onto the beach... too cute :)

Psalm 123

I lift my eyes to You,
the one enthroned in heaven.
Like a servant's eyes
on his master's hand,
like a servant girl's eyes
on her mistress's hand,
so our eyes are on the LORD our God
until He shows us favor.

Show us favor, LORD, show us favor,
for we've had more than enough
contempt.
We've had more than enough
scorn from the arrogant
and contempt from the proud

FIRST.

So, i havent written a single post this month. No, not even ONE. Tragic, i know. but a lot has been going on in my life. I have finally gotten word about the intership for Good Shepherds Fold orphanage in Uganda,.... and I was ACCEPTED. YAYAYAYA! PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!

In response to this being my first blog post of the month, i am going to make a list of all of the FIRST's i experienced this month:

1. First intership acceptance. GSF
2. First time I got my hair chopped off...just for fun.
3. First time I went to the the funeral of someone who I would consider a close relative. ( esp. in age )
4. First purchase of a dress at a thrift store...and wore it to a formal
5. First dance with a guy. im lame. i know. but, it was to cryin' shoulder - by Edward McCain.
6. First time I painted my nails in aqua and purple sparkle nailpolish.
7. First time I made a 99 on a history paper.
8. First time I tried ninja turtle at Jerry's snowcones.
9. First time I bought coffee at the new University Center on Campus.
10. First time I was a leader for a DNOW at Kirby Woods.
11. first time I made a piece of pottery on the wheel.
12. First time I went to see "Parallels" play.
13. First time I ate a sprinkled donut at Gibson's
14. First time I rode in my aunt's car. Keep in mind she's had her car for a few years now.
15. First time I stir fried tenderloin.

Whew, thats a lengthy list. haha. well, how about some of your "First" of this month? Let's hear em'.

Mighty Warrior

Jeremiah 20:7-13

7 O LORD, Thou hast enticed me, and I was enticed, Thou hast overcome me, and hast prevailed; I am become a laughing-stock all the day, every one mocketh me.

8 For as often as I speak, I cry out, I cry: 'Violence and spoil'; because the word of the LORD is made a reproach unto me, and a derision, all the day.

9 And if I say: 'I will not make mention of Him, nor speak any more in His name', then there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I weary myself to hold it in, but cannot.

10 For I have heard the whispering of many, terror on every side: 'Denounce, and we will denounce him'; even of all my familiar friends, them that watch for my halting: 'Peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.'

11 But the LORD is with me as a mighty warrior; therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail; they shall be greatly ashamed, because they have not prospered, even with an everlasting confusion which shall never be forgotten.

12 But, O LORD of hosts, that triest the righteous, that seest the reins and the heart, let me see Thy vengeance on them; for unto Thee have I revealed my cause.

13 Sing unto the LORD, praise ye the LORD; for He hath delivered the soul of the needy from the hand of evil-doers.

Photo II

These are three photos from my photography class last semester.

Pray, please!!!

Baylee Ellis and I have the opportunity to intern for an orphanage called Good Shepherds Fold, this summer. It is located in Uganda! And, yes...these are actual pictures of the children there.
I love Africa.
Anyways, we will know hopefully by the end of the week whether we are accepted or not. Please keep us in your prayers as we are waiting for the Lord to reveal His will with this opportunity. Thanks!

Don't go just for the bracelet.

This photograph was taken this past summer during a mission journey. I was sitting on the plane, awaiting the departure from Lima,Peru back to the States. On my wrist are all the bracelets I bought during the mission journey to Peru. Some were bought at the Inca market with my best friend Whitney Stephenson, and some were made by a friend Eddinson, who lived in the village where we stayed.
As I was looking through old photographs from the trip, I thought that this one in a way resembles what most people look for in mission trips. They want to say "been there, done that, and bought the t-shirt ( in this case, the bracelet)" Sometimes, even showing their physical items of experience rather than allowing God to be glorified through their spiritual growth. The deeper motivation for going on mission journeys is because the Lord called you to spread the gospel to all nations. However, sometimes Satan can attack my heart in such a way that momentary distractions can creep into my life, and from what I know my purpose should be.
Personally, i love traveling to other countries. Taking souvenirs home with me is all part of the experience. But, honestly sometimes my heart can be so consumed with what I am taking back with me tangibly, that I forget what I am leaving behind spiritually. In the same manner, we can examine our lives to this same concept. Are we being so consumed with all the souvenirs of this life, that we forget the purpose God has for us here on Earth?

As you are going...

God is so good. He never fails to show Himself in ways in which are unexpected. He is in the big things as well as the little ones. "All things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made." John 1:3 (I wish I could always remember this fact.)

A recent encounter created and predestined by God occurred Friday on the University of Memphis campus. Baylee Ellis, a close friend and sister in Christ, and I were making our way through the campus going to the Library to look up some books she needed for one of her classes. After we finished at the library, we had a craving for some iced coffee.

The Lord had made an especially beautiful day, and the weather was enticing our urge to get something cold and caffeinated. :)
As we were leaving the Tiger Den, Starbucks in hand, we decided to sit on this concrete block next to the art building and take time to chat more about the Lord together.

We had been previously talking about how the Lord created males and females differently and how even in these differences, the Lord created them to glorify Himself. We had also been talking about the idea of what "witnessing" really meant. Should it be scheduled? or should it fit under the concept of an "as you are going" lifestyle. Referenced in Matthew 28:18-20 " 18.And Jesus came and said to them " All authority has been given to Me.19. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,20. Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (ESV)

While we were enjoying the weather and talking about God, a man by the name of Robert caught our attention. He was pushing a trash can in front of where we were sitting into the art building. As he was passing by us, He turned and spoke to Baylee and I. He fist mentioned how cute i was dressed, and of course i was flattered but also felt a little awkward. However, as he continued talking the attitude of the conversation took an unexpected turn. Robert began telling Baylee and I how great the Lord was, and how He had someone special for our husbands. He quoted scripture saying, "the Lord will give you the desires of our heart", but he also stressed the greatest gift and thing in life, salvation. Everything that the world has to offer can never lead to fulfillment. He continued talking to Baylee and I for a few more more minutes about God, and his walk with the Lord.

After Robert left, Baylee and I sat in complete silence. Baylee then said how the scripture which talked about entertaining angels popped into her head as Robert was speaking to us. In Astonishment, I said the same thing. That exact scripture crossed my mind, as we were fellowshipping with Robert!!!! Did we just see the Lord at work?! Of course! It was by no accident that Baylee and I had just been discussing about men and women (relationships) and out of the blue, Robert approached Baylee and I and told us about how the Lord has someone in store for us. There is no way Robert could have know what was on our hearts and what we were sharing, but the Lord did. Isn't it awesome how God knows and sees all, yet still decides to be part of our lives, to be the CHIEF cornerstone and share with us the truth in His living and active word? ( I am not saying that Robert was an angel, but I do know that we both thought about that exact scripture reference, which was encouraging in itself)

It was so encouraging getting to know Roberts' heart and see how open he was in sharing Christ with people he comes into contact with. He was living a life that speaks truth into the idea of an "as you are going" Christian. Robert did not expect or schedule -"run in with two girls in front of the Art building" on Friday's agenda, but he did expect one thing; for the Lord to move in his life, as he daily walked in Him.

I then in turn had to come to the sad reality that there have been many times that I have stolen the same joy and encouragement Baylee and I had just experienced, from so many people who the Lord had showed me to speak to, and I in disobedience said "No, not now".