Psalm 115:1 Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.

(In case you can't tell, this is our "reflective" pose.)

A year ago to the day, at about this time, I was walking under the gates of CVE, tired, overwhelmed. I remember thinking, “What have I done?” I still don’t really know the answer to my question, but I do know that it has been one amazing, long, stretching, hard, faith-building, blessed year.

Thanks for all of you who have come along on the journey. You know the feeling when you try to explain a trip or experience of your life? In front of you is an album full of photos, but you can’t begin to put into words what actually happened. I am grateful to my friends and family who have been faithful readers of the blog as I don’t have to try to put the whole year into 30 seconds.

I can’t deeply enough express how much I have appreciated your cards, letters, packages, visits, blog comments, e-mails and most importantly prayers. I am humbled beyond words to think of you on your knees, praying for me, the staff, other missionaries, the kids and the community. It is a debt I can’t repay…

I have learned much about my own inadequacies. I have seen God redeem my mistakes and bring beauty from the ashes and pain to teach me that it isn’t about what I can do, but instead, what He can do.

I am not the same person that I was when I came. Praise the Master Potter that will not leave us unfinished. Praise the Lord who loves us enough to put us through the pain and trials of life. Praise Him who gives us the grace we need to not snap in two while we are being refined. So, here I am with another year's experiences under my belt. Why do I know less now than before?

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21


Can I get an amen?