The Countdown BEGINS!

WOW. So many amazing and wonderful blessings to share these past few weeks!!

Let's start with just how many wonderful people I have met through my church faith family...and gotten so close to, and watched as the Lord has called them other places, to other countries. I am so thankful for Kristina and Jessica. For the Nichols and Coe families. And for Brook and Heidi. It's so amazing how just several months ago, I was in India meeting the Landge family and hanging with my new Indian brother, Jojo...and then he came to the states and we spent six months in true fellowship. I met so many wonderful brothers and sisters THROUGH Jojo and his passion for people and for Christ. Now he is back in India...and I'm going there in 10 days!!!! It's come full circle. Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! (Romans 11:33)!!

Also this past week, I was able to travel home to FL and spend time in Tampa, Clearwater Beach, and Merritt Island...soaking up time with friends, mentors, family and the Lord. My favorite place on the planet is sitting with my bible and praying on the beach in the cool breeze and perfectly blue sky. The water was SO CLEAR and the temperature was mid70s. I serioulsy could have stayed there forever.

While I was gone, another wonderful blessing, my new roommate was moving in so that not only did I have a sweet ride home from the airport...I had an apt full of boxes!! YAY! That means yet another chapter of "the roommates of Karen Connor" has begun. So many times of fun, fellowship and fitness ahead :)

Lastly, we had our last India team meeting before our last India team meeting last Sunday. Ha. Yes, it was our last pre-scheduled meeting during which we realized we need yet another "last" meeting to wrap up and truly prepare with excellence. I love this TEAM!!!!! We are truly uniting in heart and Spirit and I cannot WAIT to see what the Lord will do through us. Each member is perfectly suited for the needed roles...we have a musician who choreographed all the songs! We have three men that WANT to be master teachers and are PUMPED about it! We have fabulously creative people who thought up and planned all the crafts. We have athletes who have planned all the recreation. We have artists who have designed the room decor, and we have an amazingly enthusiastic team leader who CHALLENGES us with her faith, passion, love, and excitement!!

I will be working with 8/9/10 year olds and helping with music. I've also been asked to be the official "first aide" lady for any injuries. Ha. Nice.

We long to impart to these slum kids that they have value because they have a Loving Creator, they are special because God is calling them to know Him. And that Jesus died for their sins to make it possible for each one of them to have a personal relationship with the ONE TRUE GOD!

We'll be working along side the Indian national teachers and translators who work hard every year to provide this opportunity for the kids to get out of the slums and get into the city and be loved on, taught, poured into, fed, and taught the Truth of the Gospel.

I can only begin to tell you just how FULL my cup is to overflowing with so many wonderful "lovies" from my Father in Heaven! I long to pour my self out on His behalf and for His glory... in my family, in my friendships, at work, in my faith family, and in other contexts around the world as the Lord calls.

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” (Romans 8:15)

Learning How to Love

Steven Curtis Chapman's son Caleb has a band by that name and it's pretty legit! Here's the lyrics to a favorite song of his...look them up on iTunes!!! Or click the song title (link) for a poor recording attempt from a live concert..he's such a little cutie.

LEARNING HOW TO LOVE

By Caleb

Say, they say that trust it takes time.

That it’s a mountain to climb.

I think that I am the reason why.

Break,

I’ve broken promises made.

I’ve shaken ground that’s been laid.

And built these walls to protect my pride.

I think I’m falling apart at the seams.

And it seems they’re unraveling, as usual.

CHORUS:

I’ve been waiting for… things to change in my heart again.

I’ve been changing… while waiting,

I’ll be taking steps for YOU.

I’ve been changed,

But I’m still learning how to Love.

I’m still learning how to Love.

Take me.

I feared that love wouldn’t take me.

I feared that Grace was a maybe.

I feared the cost of my broken word.

Trust me.

You took my hand and said “Trust Me.

You took my heart and said “Love Me.

With who you are not with who you were.

Why do I run to the things that I don’t want to do

What’s the problem here?

I’ve felt Love that’s been true

But continued to unravel still…

CHORUS

Refrain:

Oh these storms I know

These battles of the soul

The scars that start to show

While learning how, learning how, I am learning how to Love…..

CHORUS

Truth

From my morning time in the Word...sometimes the Word just hits a chord with us...did that today. Praying expectantly. Oh Lord, you are Sovereign.

2 Corinthians 2

1 For I made up my mind not to make another painful visit to you. 2 For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained? 3 And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all. 4 For I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.

Forgive the Sinner

5 Now if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure—not to put it too severely—to all of you. 6 For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, 7 so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him. 9 For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything. 10 Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, 11 so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.