Lead me, Lord...

It's been a while since I've posted.  A lot has been happening but unfortunately most of it has been inside my head.  My head is spinning and I am not sure in which direction I am headed.  How do I sort all the messages I am getting and determine which ones are coming from the Lord and which ones are Satan's attempts to confuse and discourage me?  It is time to withdraw from the world and rest in God's arms.  It is time to delve into His word, to study it, to let it flow over me and through me.  It is time to let God's word fill me.  After that I can take all the messages I have been receiving and hold them up against God's word.  I can compare them to the promises He has made me, the promises recorded in the Bible. 

Lakeside sent their first team to Haiti.  I believe it was three men from Lakeside and another from a nearby church.  These four men met with representatives from different ministry groups currently working in Haiti.  It is my understanding that they will be making recomendations as to how Lakeside can best help in the rebuilding efforts.  At this point I believe I will be part of the rebuilding effort.  Anyways, the guys have already gone to Haiti and returned this past weekend.

I went to the Lakeside Women's Retreat over this past weekend.  I have much to think about and chew on.  I had a fabulous time and heard a very inspiring speaker.  My good friend Deborah went with me.  We spent hours talking and catching up.  I made new friends, renewed old acquaintances and took several pictures.  I will post some here.

Mexico is fast approaching, April 22nd - 25th.  I bought a pink tool belt to wear on this trip, just for fun.  I'm not sure why but this may be my last trip there.  If my hope for full-time missions comes to fruition in the next few months I know this will be my last trip.  If not, I don't know why I just got that feeling, I will have to trust God on this one.

The American Diabetes Association's Tour de Cure is May 1st.  So far I have raised $525.00.  I'm thinking I probably will not raise my full $2,000.00 goal.  I'm not sure whether to be relieved or disappointed, relieved because I won't have to ride the full 100 miles, disappointed because I wanted to raise that much money for diabetes.

After that?  Well, that's why I am looking for the Lord's leading.  I know I am to be selling my surplus possessions.  I have a closet full of stuff I've barely looked at this past year.  I also am looking at how to get out from under the debt I have incurred with my car.  Realistically, that probably means I need to sell it.  I cannot go into the mission field burdened with debt.  I need to raise funds, lots of funds.

I bought a few books while I was at the retreat; "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan and "The Search for Significance" by Robert S. McGee.  Maybe I will hear the Lord's voice as I read them.  I will use whatever tools I need to in order to listen to His word.  Even the tool of silence.