I am sitting in the Detroit airport and thought I would take this opportunity to catch up on the happenings of the past few weeks. They have been full. Many blessings in many different forms. I have spent the past week in Washington visiting the Wentworths. The Lord has given them a wonderful new home. It reminds me a lot of Phoenix, only cooler temps and no humidity. It was beautiful. Nathan has grown so much since I last saw him and what a joy both he and Libby were to be with. I'll miss hearing him calling me each morning and when he wakes from his naps. As always, Harold and Michele, what can I say, they were as much of a blessing and encouragement as always, if not more. I love you guys.

I also was blessed to have my friends Roy and Hollie and their five little ones up visiting at the same time. The Swarts and the Wentworths, two very special families in my life, had the opportunity to meet. Roy grew up in the Tricities, just 20 minutes from where Michele and Harold live now. It was great to see you all again, I have missed much in the little ones lives, our time together was short, but sweet.

Last weekend, I went on a women's retreat and the blessings were bountiful there as well. It was during our first night there that the Lord started developing in me a heart for the people of Japan. I have been praying for them, just as I do the other nations of the world, but this time it was with a brokenness for their souls, thank You, Father. I have prayed for this, not sure if I would have to wait for my arrival there.

The theme of this retreat was "Just Passing Through" based on Hebrews 11:13-16. "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them."

So many lessons were to be taken from there, a lot of preparation for my heart for this trip. To die in faith and not disobedience, is my prayer. To pack lightly, leaving behind that which Christ has called me to leave whether it be attitudes, possessions, relationships, etc. To keep my eyes turned to my heavenly home and not looking back at the places where He has brought me from. That God would not be ashamed to be called my God.

Well, these are a few of the blessings of the past few weeks, the greatest. I now have just over a month before I leave and my focus is to turn from work, the ladies are doing great. They had some challenges this week while I was away and they were able to get through them with out me. What an encouragement this was, I look forward to meeting with each of them and tying up loose ends.

Please pray for my focus, that I would make my time of communing with the Lord of utmost importance, that the distractions would be seen for what they are and I would not allow them to lure me away.

Please join me in prayer for the Japanese people, that they would confess the Lord as their Saviour now and not on Judgment Day as they enter eternal damnation.

Praise the Lord with me for sending His Son, for His incredible works, for His holiness....He is an awesome God.

And by the way, He loves you :)