Desiring Abundant Life

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." ~ Jesus (John 10:10)

In the last few days I have become increasingly aware of the attacks of the enemy. Conversations with students have consistently revealed how enemy is seeking to destroy them, to make them ineffective, depressed and to distract them from the Truth of the Gospel. It breaks my heart.

The good news is that they verse doesn't end with destruction, but rather the life that Jesus has to offer. In the midst of their struggling I have loved reminding the students of the beautiful mystery of the Gospel. I love bringing the truth that once we are "in Christ" God sees us as holy and blameless, He cannot love us any more or any less than He does at this moment. This is a wonder too beautiful for words!

No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
'Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand

~ In Christ Alone

Mexico Road Rally

Diana and I with just some of the food for our trip

This past weekend we took 151 people to Rocky Point, Mexico to build 3 houses and participate in a children's outreach. I was in charge of the food. I have never before shopped or cooked for 150 people...using a single camp stove. I am tempted to say it was quite a challenge, but really I had an amazing team of women that rose to the various dilemmas that faces us and made the food preparation a joy. Below are some pictures from the weekend.

some girls from my Bible study at their house site

preparing lunches for our hungry house builders

It was an amazing trip, full of precious faith-building moments. Everyday there seemed to be story after story of how God came through in incredible ways. We saw Him in providing tow trucks for 12 passenger vans stuck in the sand, giving us water at exactly the right moment, the much needed layer of stucco finished on all 3 houses just as the sun went down, no major injuries, cars protect, easy crossing of the border each way and the list goes on and on. I am so grateful to know and serve this God. I just love Him.

After a week in St. Louis for the Navigators National Conference and then camping in Mexico, I am exhausted, but God is good and I am thrilled to be His daughter.