WOULD YOU PRAY?

Lots of things going on that really need praying about. Would you join with us as we pray for these matters?

*We are getting more involved with the ministry and community at WE WILL GO but we can't really do much more til we live there. Please pray that our house will sell so we can move there this summer.

*We're not the only family moving to WE WILL GO. There are two other families answering the call to serve in down-town Jackson. One family needs their home to sell, like we do, and the other family needs to be released from their lease. Prayers for these families would be so appreciated.

*David and Amy Lancaster are the founders of WE WILL GO. A couple of weeks ago, David's dad died. This is really a hard season for them as they deal with his passing plus take care of ministry responsibilities plus take care of extended family responsibilities. Please pray for them to have true rest, peace, and comfort during this time.

*Please keep praying for Di Hampson in Swaziland, her family, and all those who love Mike and are still mourning and feeling his loss. Di is the director of Moriah Centre and the new school term starts tomorrow. Just pray for all involved during this hard time.

*Mitch Hildebrandt, Children's Cup missionary in Swaziland, still needs full healing from his surgery that took place a couple of months ago. Pray for his recovery but pray that God will use him and Char in amazing ways during his extended hospitalization and as they interact with the staff.

*My friend --- and one of my favorite authors --- Claudia Mair Burney has a son who is a miracle but still needs prayer. Last week, he fell about 30 feet. He broke every bone in his body, fractured his skull, and had many other broken bones and injuries. Praise God, he not only survived, but after surgery and other care, he actually can sit up and stand some now. Pray that he is totally healed but also pray for his family members. They need strength and provision during this time of healing.

*Anna's team leaves for Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya in less than a month. Anna is just a couple of hundred dollars away from receiving all she needs for her trip but several of her team members still need much larger sums. Pray that they'll receive the provision they need and pray that God will start moving in their hearts to unify them even before they meet.

*The Sims family is saying YES to God and heading to Mozambique to train before going out and serving in Brazil and beyond. They are having a huge rummage sale this Saturday as they are selling almost everything they own. They are also selling their home. Pray that it goes thru as it needs to and pray for them to trust as God makes everything happen that needs to happen. Pray also for their three children as all this transpires. Pray God is going to do absolutely amazing things in their young lives.

Thank you friends.  Without prayer, we cannot stand.  We cannot move forward.  We cannot accomplish what God is calling all of us to do.

A WILD PIECE OFTHE PUZZLE

See the blue house in the picture below? The one with the boarded up doors and windows?

This is our future home at We Will Go Ministry. But we had no idea of this at the time I took this picture.

Last July, I took some of my kids and a few friends to participate in a special day at We Will Go. Teams of people were assigned street corners, blocks, and strategic places within the We Will Go neighborhood to pray and read scripture out loud. We were assigned a block of Cohea Street. For over an hour we spoke the Word of God over that place and prayed for new life, restoration, and redemption. We prayed that all who lived there would know the love and truth of God. We prayed that Cohea Street would be used in mighty ways by God.

And yesterday, we found out that we will be living there. God is moving our family to be a part of bringing that new life, restoration, redemption, love, and truth to the residents of that block.

How wild and amazing is that? We didn't choose the place we prayed and read God's word over last summer. But looking back now, I can see that the time we spent there was just one more piece of the puzzle that God was putting into place.

What a big, big God we serve. He certainly fits everything together in picture perfect ways.

DAY TRIPPING DETAILS from MUW

Yesterday, I coordinated a day trip to Mississippi University for Women for a bunch of girls and their mamas.

It was a beautiful day to be on the lovely and historic campus of The W, as it is affectionately called by its students, faculty, and alums.



I had planned this day for a couple of months and was really excited about showing off my beloved alma mater to new folks as well as seeing some of my W-friends.




After an initial visit to the admissions office, Director Cassie Derden walked us over to the cafeteria where a Thanksgiving meal, along with other offerings such as the grill and salad bar, was awaiting our hungry group.


For some who will remain unnamed (though not unphotographed), the lunch stood out as a highlight of the day and was one of the main reasons they want to be a student at MUW.



While in the cafe, the group had the chance to meet many present day students and some, like Madeleine Gardiner, even sat down and spent the whole meal with us. The W is special in that regard. Not only are past students such as myself still welcomed and even known, but new people are quickly welcomed into the college family.




When lunch had left us full and happy, we walked back to front campus and Cochran Hall. There, Shelley McNees gave a great presentation about the university and three student reps came to take the group on an extensive campus tour.


Among the highlights of the tour were the traditions that help make MUW such a unique place such as the gingko tree (a leaf falls on a girl at The W and a leaf from a sister tree falls on a boy at MSU, and voila! They are destined to marry)...

...the kissing rock....

...and the Old Maid's Gate (gotta walk thru it backwards or be doomed to spinsterhood!).




We also visited with the directors of the Wesley Foundation and the Baptist Student Union as well as peeking in dorms, classrooms, the on-campus chapel, and the amazing fitness center.


After our time at MUW was over, we headed to another tradition, this one an off-campus one. Supper at Proffitt's Porch is a dining tradition I've been enjoying for over 20 years. And the girls loved being introduced to some of their classic offerings such as the Cypress Club sandwich and Chess Pie.


Sarah decided to add her own twist to the culinary tradition, the Chess Pie moustache and goatie.


And what road trip would be complete in this day of digital cameras without the requisite en-route photos. Sarah looks asleep here, she's actually snorting hysterically into Betsie's laugh over some bit of sillyness.

What a day...and night!

AND WHERE HAVE I BEEN TODAY?

You might, or might not, have noticed that I've not been busy in the internet world today. No facebook status updates, no answered emails, no nothing. In fact, this is the first time I've been on the computer all day.

And why?

Because I just got home after spending a beautiful day with a group of amazing young women and moms at one of my favorite places in the world....

...Mississippi University for Women.

Details and more photos coming soon! Til then, hope your rest is truly restful and that you have sweet Jesus dreams.

PRAY WITH ALL YOUR MIGHT

"You must pray with all your might. That does not mean saying your prayers, or sitting gazing about in church or chapel with eyes wide open while someone else says them for you.


It means fervent, effectual, untiring wrestling with God...This kind of prayer be sure the devil and the world and your own indolent, unbelieving nature will oppose. They will pour water on this flame." --- William Booth