Is it for real?

Yes, it is! As unbelievable as it seems, I am heading back with a Mission:X team this summer! This will be my third trip there! I can't wait to get back and serve alongside these people. They are amazing. Their joy in whatever circumstances they encounter is so convicting. I don't know if they even sleep - they are constantly going, going, going.

The dates for my trip are July 22-30...and if you're wondering about the vague-ity of these posts (yes, I made that word up), it's to protect these very people. This means that, unfortunately, I cannot post specifics (names, locations, etc). If you ever have questions, feel free to email me. :o)

I would like to take this opportunity to ask for your prayers. Please mark these dates on your calendar and pray for me, the team and our time with them there. Specifically, I would love prayer in the area of language and service. I am one of the least fluent in this language on this trip. That has always been a challenge for me before, but now I'm going with 'pros'. :o) Pray that I would make time to be faithful to study it so that I can be more effective. And pray that I would be able to serve tirelessly. Last night Benny Phillips spoke at Undivided on humility and servanthood. In thinking about and preparing for this trip, I have been challenged to consider how selfish I have been on past trips. My desire is to serve wherever I can and however I can. And Benny's message served to further cement my desire to serve (although not just on this trip...but I'm getting ahead of myself). Specifically for me this will require rising extra early (ewwww!!!) in order to get those first moments alone with the Lord and be able to jump right into the day.

Of course there are several other ways I'd love for you to be praying, but I'll save those for future posts...

To PDI or not to PDI?

Okay, so here are more from mi amiga, la cabesa roja! If you haven't seen the previous post, check that one out, too!

Top 10 Ways to be a PDI Poster Child (please note - this list was constructed shortly after we made the switch to "Sovereign Grace Ministries")

10. You correct people when they say PDI: "Do you mean Sovereign Grace Ministries?"
9. You wear all of the t-shirts from past conferences at whatever conference you're attending
8. You introduce yourself to all of the speakers and say 'hello' to them as you pass them in the hall (as if they recognize you from the 10,000 people they see)
7. You have a crush on one of the pastor's kids
6. You have an inter-PDI pool on who will court who next and who will marry who next
5. Your CD collection consists of only PDI worship music
4. You play an instrument, preferably the piano, and you must be able to dance while playing it
3. Your answer to every question is either the 'Cross' or the 'Gospel'
2. You own tons of books you've never read, but C.J. said to buy them (so you do) but have never read them...except "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" and "Boy Meets Girl" which you've read like 10,000 times
1. Your dream is either going to the Pastor's college or marrying someone who will go to the pastor's college

Oh how I love my Sovereign Grace Ministries!!!

Top 10...

Ok, so I totally stole this from Andrea, but I laughed and laughed and know some of you can relate!

Top 10 Indications you are a Secretary for a Sovereign Grace Ministries Church:
10) Congregation members come to you with any question or about any glitch in the Sunday service thinking you'll have the answer, or can solve the problem.
9) You refer to C.J. Mahaney as "Captain", Sovereign Grace Ministries as "H.Q.", and Covenant Life Church as "the mother ship".
8) You get the biggest thrill out of any opportunity to call another SGM church.
7) You know the names and family members of all the pastoral and administrative staff at all the SGM churches, even though you've only actually met half a dozen of them in person.
6) Although you agree with and rather like the new name, "Sovereign Grace Ministries" you still use "PDI" because it's easier to say, write, and email, which is where you use it the most.
5) You have ever answered your home phone, "Good morning,(your church name) church, this is (your name), how may I help you?"
4) You can perfectly spell and pronounce such names as Phelan, Altrogge, Cabaniss, Ricucci, Boisvert, and Sczebel.
3) You lovingly refer to the computer, copier, and fax machine as "personal means of sanctification", and when it malfunctions (like, every day!) you ask for prayer for a joyful heart attitude while you grow in this area of your life.
2) You've become rather accustomed to purchasing items over the internet using a variety of credit cards, none of which are yours.
1) You're familiar with the names of nearly every message given at any conference in the last five years (along with who gave it), even though you haven't heard the message, nor were you even AT the conference!

Know what I'm talkin' about? :o)

Chillin' at the...Sheraton?

So...it definitely is NOT the Holiday Inn. Here I sit while Steph and Emily peel their faces, Julie snuggles in the softy-est sheets and Kathy looks for her socks. What?!?! Yes, this is part of Stephy's birthday surprise. We surprised her with a girl's night here at the Sheraton in Maitland (definitely world travelers, ain't we?) and then we're meeting some other girlies at Disney tomorrow - so much fun!

I'm so grateful for the ability to hang out with friends and bless my sister at the same time! We snuck Outback up to the room and ate just about every fried appetizer on the menu, watched a movie (ever seen Step Up? oh baby!!!), laughed and (even more fun!) made Kathy laugh. It's been a fun night and I am blessed! I can't wait for tomorrow!!!

Good night!