..His joy comes with the morning.....

Finally.  Finally things seem to be getting back to normal.  I am finally able to settle back into life here.  I am laughing and joking with my friends again.  I am enjoying the idea of school starting on Monday. I am excited to see all of the kids walk through the school doors Monday morning. 

Finally things are starting to fall back into place after the emotional upheaval of post camp life.

Thank goodness.  My moodiness was giving me whiplash, and probably everyone else here, too.  I was getting sick of my attitude and sadness.  I finally believe that I have pushed through the mourning period, so now I can finally really enjoy and take in what God is working throughout Joppa and upcoming with YA-TEC.

Friends, Joppa is incredible.  What a great young adult group we are blessed to have here in Willmar.  I have had some pretty incredible conversations lately with some of my friends about going deeper in our faith and not just being "Sunday Christians".  We don't want complacency.  We don't want to be comfortable.  We want to step out of our comfort zones, be the hands and feet of Jesus and really serve.  Get out and serve someone.

We have had a couple of incredible opportunities lately.  From serving community meals to marching for Jesus up 1st Street, it has been amazing.

And now our friends have set out on a journey. Scottie, Chris and George left last Thursday night and are walking to Duluth, then to the cities, then to Mankato and making their way back home from there.  They are going for a month and seeing who they encounter along the way.  They didn't bring much with them (except Scottie is carrying a pretty big Cross and I think they may have Bibles and perhaps a change of clothes or two).  They are trusting, in faith, that God is going to provide for their every need and keep them safe as they serve and minister to God's people on the streets in Duluth, the cities and Mankato. 

That is awesome.  And I can use awesome here because I believe that this an awe inspiring leap of faith.

See what God does when His servants are faithful??  I cannot wait to hear their stories when they return.  I cannot wait to hear what God did and will continue to do even after they are back.  I cannot wait to hear how it changed them, much like I came back changed.

I cannot wait to see how we use these experiences to make a difference in Willmar and the west central Minnesota area.  God is moving.  Let's be willing servants and vessels that He can use and let us not forget who we serve.

"I long for your salvation, O LORD,
and your law is my delight.
Let me live that I may praise you,
and may your laws sustain me.
I have strayed like a lost sheep.
Seek your servant,
for I have not forgotten your commands." -Psalm 119:174-176