Home

Today I moved into my new apartment, well at least it's new to me! My wonderful friend and co-laborer Keely moved in with me and we are expecting 2-3 more girls to join us once the students come. We live right above the cafe, where I will be spending a good amount of my time now that I will be managing the coffee bar...praise God! I'm excited...His plans are good.

I like it in my new apartment, it's nice....I am extremely blessed to have such a
beautiful place to rest my head. Thank you Jesus!

Yet I don't feel like it's home... I think that's something God has put in us, the longing for a better place, never quite feeling like you belong...it's a heavenly place and by His grace we may enter and stay in His presence and finally be at home.

"All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left ,they would have had opportunity to return. Instead they were longing for a better country-- a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them." Hebrews 11:13-16

Brokenness

At times it's just a concept we read about in a book or perhaps hear a preacher relate his or her personal experience...other times it's the only word adequate to define the anguish of our own souls. Though I intend to express here the condition of my heart, I do not intend to do so without also proclaiming the work of Christ in His people as they lay broken at His feet. Have you ever felt like nothing around makes any sense? Does it ever seem like everyone around you is right where they're supposed to be and completely ecstatic about it while you feel lost, alone and hopeless? There are moments when I can see a ray of light, a glimmer of hope, a promise of joy, but often those moments are quickly clouded over by sorrow, doubt, sin and fear. The reality is there are dark hours of the soul, times of absolute brokenness where the sinner becomes so aware of her sin, so aware of her heart, of her choices, of her fears, that she can no longer stand. It is in those times, bent over and kneeling that one hopes only to raise their weary head and to see the strong arm of salvation extended toward them. It is here where one sits or better said falls at the foot of the cross of Christ realizing again or perhaps for the first time; the sweet grace, the loving mercy, the unconditional love and forgiveness and...the hope offered in the greatest moment of brokenness in history. He reaches down and with a strong arm, He saves you. You cry out and He hears and He answers. But often instead of jumping up, you remain crouched down before your king holding on; His grip is firm, His eyes hold all the love that took Him to the cross, His lips whisper gently in your ear, "Hold fast my child, I will never leave you, I will never let you go and when you can stand again your grip will be firmer, your faith stronger, your hope brighter, your joy more radiant...hold on my love." My eyes locked to His, I hold on... "The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like streams in the Negev. Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him." Psalm 126:3-6

August 2005

Last Friday I finished my TESOL course at BIOLA University, praise the Lord!
What an intense three weeks! I was incredibly blessed by the teachings, the staff and the students all of which were dedicated to serving Jesus and fulfilling the great commission.
I was inspired to teach, to be all things to all men and to further pursue God’s purposes in this world.

One thing that struck me as I interacted with the 24 other students was how personal our God is. Each one of us has a story to tell, how God uniquely drew us to Himself and called us into ministry. He has given each one of us gifts that we might glorify Him, the students and teachers I had the privilege of getting to know these last few weeks were shining examples of those who have been faithful with what they have been given. There we were 25 average people with one thing in common, a love for the one true God, who loved us first.

As of today I have three weeks left in the states and I write with excitement and anticipation for my return to Germany and yet a sense of sorrow as I think about leaving family and friends behind. The Lord has lavished his grace upon me these last three months and has done so primarily through the people He has placed around me. I am so thankful for this time that I’ve had, it is evident that God brought me here for specific purposes this summer. I want to thank all of you who have welcomed me home and have ministered to me through simple conversation, prayer, food and countless other ways.

Some things to pray about as I head back to Germany:
*Safe travel to Northern California on the 14th and then to Germany on the 18th
*A fresh vision and diligence in preparation for the Women’s Discipleship class I will be teaching
*How the Lord will use the TESOL course I just completed, the possibility of doing an outreach involving teaching English (now or in the future)
*Outreach to the University: for Bible College students who will have a vision and a passion for evangelism and building relationships with University students
for specific ways we can reach the university students
for God to help me as a leader and an evangelist
*For our staff: We have many new staff members joining our team, please pray that
We will be united in heart and purpose. That God will protect and provide for our
team physically, spiritually, and emotionally. That God will use us a team to
further His purposes at CCBC Siegen and to bless the students richly!
*That I will continue to draw near to Jesus and that my relationship will grow deeper
with the Him.
*For my family, that each one of them would be drawn into a saving and or deeper
relationship with Christ. That Christ would be there strength and their rock and the
one in whom they hope and trust.


“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1,2

Isn't She Lovely...

Welcome Caden Quinn Peterson! Ok, I know I'm becoming a little impossible with all my nieces and nephews, but I am so blessed by them and I want to share them with all of you! Isn't she beautiful? This is the daughter of my brother Brent and my sister-in-law DeeDee, that's number two for them! What an incredible gift!