Weekend Update and a few thoughts to go along with it

Thanks for praying for us! This weekend's womens retreat was WONDERFUL! It was amazing to watch God at work among these women. He truly met us there. It was so fun to see the women connect to one another and to the LORD. Our theme was "BFF ~ Becoming Fruitful in Friendships" and we took a closer look at what the Lord has to say about community and our role in it. We really prayed for the women, that they would connect to one another and understand more deeply how God has created us to live in authentic community with one another. What was especially fun was to watch the women who had such a hard time coming, either from fear or just an overwhelming life right now. Each of the women who we were most concerned about and praying for came up to us at the end just thanking us and telling us how much fun they had! That made the whole exhausting work all worth it! Thankfully, while it was a ton of work, I had the best team every! Thanks to Kelly, Jess, Sunday, Abby, Karen, Shannon and Shai!!!

Now for my thoughts for today. . .as if anyone cares to read my mind!

2 things stuck out to me in my quiet time this morning. The 1st was about our relationship with Liberia. Having not heard any answers about our possible fundraising trip, I have been getting discouraged. Well, this morning in my reading of "40 days to a more generous life" I read Psalm 67:6, "God will bless us. And people from remotest lands will worship Him". Oh Lord, that is my prayer!! Bless us and others and help us to bless Liberia that "people from the remotest lands will worship Him"!!!! Combine that with this scripture from 2 Chronicles 16:9, "The eyes of the Lord search back and forth across the whole earth, looking for people whose hearts are fully committed to Him, SO THAT He can show His great power in helping them." They went on to quote passages from David and Goliath, from Gideon and his 300 men and from Jonathan and his armor bearer taking on the Philistines. The little group that God is gathering who have a passion for Liberia can be used mightily by God. Let's not forget that! Oh Lord, that you may find our hearts fully committed to you so that you will choose to show your great power in Liberia and allow us to be a small part of that miracle!! That also makes me more passionate about seeking the Lord and asking Him to change my heart. If He is looking for someone who has a heart that is fully committed to Him so that He can lend His power, well, I want to be that girl!

Which brings me to my last scripture for today. After reading all of that from "40 day journey", I opened up Philippians to look for scripture to pray. Here is what I read today, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again, rejoice. Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:4-7) Saying, let your gentleness. . . assumes that you have gentleness. That you are characterized by it. This was challenging to me. For me to have evident gentleness, I need the Lord to build that in me. The opposite of gentleness is harshness, which comes whenever I judge others or protect my own heart. Lord, change my heart to be more gentle. May my words, actions and attitudes be gentle towards my husband, children, friends and others. Then, the verse goes on to challenge me to always present my requests in an attitude of humble, thanksgiving, recognizing His sovereignty always. Ooooh, that's always challenging!