Revelations over pancakes

Today I felt the Lord speak to me through Lemon Pancakes with blueberry topping. But let me start from the beginning. . .
Yesterday, I was driving home from an overwhelming Vietnamese lesson. It was about 9:00 at night and, quite abruptly, I began to think how much I would love to have lemon pancakes with blueberry topping. Now, before you think I'm too creative or could be a culinary prodigy, let me say I have had this breakfast in Chicago at one of my all time favorite restaurants, The Bongo Room. So, I arrive at home and begin telling my host family how much I would love to have lemon pancakes with blueberry topping. I explain in detail the pancakes texture and flavor to Linda, who politely listens and inquires where you can get them. I sadly say, "Nowhere." This leads me to going to bed thinking about how I can make these pancakes.
This morning, I wake up to have my usual CPX, mentoring breakfast with Isabel. We decide to meet at IHOP. By this time, I had completely forgotten about the pancakes from last night. But I'm sure you can guess what happens next. The waitress points out Lemon Pancakes with blueberry topping! Of course I order them and devour every bite. As I'm eating (this is where the spiritual part comes in) I start thinking about how my desire for these pancakes was met. I relish every bite, enjoying the cake like texture of the pancakes. I promise I have never enjoyed pancakes from IHOP this much!
So, why did they taste so good?
Because I desired them! This really got me thinking. It is so satisfying to have our desires met. As I licked blueberry sauce off my fingers, I thought "The LORD really loves to give us what we desire!"
Psalm 37:4 "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart."
I started thinking about this more. I realized that not only does God want to fulfill our desires but he is the one that actually gives us our desires. I didn't think of lemon pancakes until 9:00 last night, but when I did think of them, my desire for them was intense. Little did I know, that my desire would be met by just following the path that was in front of me.
It's amazing that the LORD cares so much to give us what we want and need! From something as little as lemon pancakes, to other less sweet and sticky desires; God gives us our desires. And He is a good Father. He not only gives us what we desire, he actually places those desires in our hearts. And He loves to be the one to fulfill them! He is the only one who can truly fulfill the desires of our hearts.
So, be bold! Delight in the LORD! Rejoice in his goodness and praise him! Know that he is faithful and will not let the desires he has placed in you remain void!
(Also, know that the lemon pancakes with blueberries at IHOP are really good and I do mean really good)

Changes . . .

I will warn you, that this is a completely boring post. That being said, I wanted to clarify the addresses found on this page. As of today, it is best just use the addresses found only on the right side of this page listed under contact info. I know this is a little confusing, considering I have listed two other addresses in my postings, but hey, we all have confused moments right?
I hope this clarifies some things, if not just let me know.
Blessings!

Hello Friends!
Well, as you can see it has been a little while since my last posting. As you have probably guessed, things have been busy around here. In addition to my usual CPX work load, I have begun learning Vietnamese. It is very exciting to learn a new language. I really enjoy the language, however, learning the correct tones is proving to be a little difficult. I'm still praying (and hoping) that one day I will wake up just speaking Vietnamese perfectly! I can dream right?

I wanted to bring you up to date on my outreach plans:
1. I have purchased my ticket to Cambodia! I will be leaving on the 15th of January. Even more exciting. . . I have purchased a one-way ticket! I'm not sure what the Lord has for me in the following months after Cambodia, so for now I'm leaving it open until I get a little more direction.
2. I soon discovered that after I made my last post, I gave you wrong information. Here are the corrections:
-I am needing to raise $4,500.00 for my trip instead of $3,000.00.
-If you are wanting to give financially, it is best to mail the check to my parents address
(Still make the check out to All Nations)
10500 Mohawk Ln
Leawood, KS 66206

Please continue to pray for me and my team. I can feel your prayers and cherish knowing that you are thinking of me.
Blessings!

It's Official

So, I now hold the answer to your burning question. I know what country I'm going to for the outreach portion of CPX! I decided this Wednesday I will be going to Cambodia in January. I will be there for three months. Right now we have 6 people on our team, but we may add one or two more. I am very excited. While in Cambodia, we will be working with the Vietnamese minority group. The Vietnamese are treated as outcasts in Cambodia and denied rights in the country. Our purpose in Cambodia will be to live among the displaced peoples and breathe life into the cycle of hopelessness. We hope to build relationships and leave behind healthy simple churches. We want to provide education and help around the issue of human trafficking of the Vietnamese children. We will also concentrate on providing other education opportunities for the children and adults.
I'm excited about this opportunity that the Lord has set in front of me. I'm ready to begin learning Vietnamese (I'm really going to need prayer for that one!), and learning about the people of Cambodia and how we can best serve them in our three months.
Prayer points
-Pray that all plans and arrangements would fall into place for our time in Cambodia
-Pray that I would have grace and strength to learn all that the Lord has for me from CPX and prepare for Cambodia
-Pray that I will be able to raise the amount needed for outreach (around $3,000)

Thank you all for your prayers and words of encouragement. I feel very covered by your love and care.
For those of you who don't know, I have moved in with a host family who I will stay with until December. If you want to contact me by snail mail you can use my parents' mailing address.
10500 Mohawk Ln
Leawood, KS 66206
Also, you may wonder how to give financially. If you choose to make a tax deductible donation you can make it by choosing the Donate tab on the CPX website (make sure you specify the funds for me) or you can send it to:
All Nations Family, Inc
c/o Walsh Washburn
5330 College Boulevard
Overland Park, KS 66211.
Just be sure to attach a separate piece of paper with my name written on it to the check. You are also welcome to send checks to my parents' address.
thank you again for all your support!
Blessings!

The countdown

Wow! In just a few days I will be starting my journey at CPX. To answer the most popular question these days . . . "Yes, I'm very excited!". Over the past few weeks it has been a little bit of a roller coaster with emotions. I have dealt with quite a bit of anxiety over CPX realizing that it really is a big life change. I know that I am standing in the Lord's will, however it's all so new. But thanks to the help of my awesome prayer warrior friends, I am now truly filled with excitement and anticipation. I can't wait to see how Monday goes and I hope to record as much of it as I can for you all. I hope to post pictures along with details about my class. At the risk of looking like a dork (although recently I've been told by a good friend I am one), I've decided to take my camera to my first day of class!
Prayer Requests:
Pray for me for an easy transition into CPX class life.
Pray for the CPX class (me too) and staff as they prepare for a new year that they be filled with wisdom and discernment to make the decisions before them and that they encounter the Lord in new and exciting ways.
Thank you so much for your prayers and support. It is felt and much appreciated

The time is drawing near. . .

Well, I can hardly believe that it is September. It seems like this summer has really gone by quickly. I have to admit its still hard for me to imagine the change this next year holds. I begin classes at CPX, Church Planting Experience, starting September 15th. I will be moving in with my host family (thanks Hargers!) at the end of September. It should be a pretty full schedule until mid-December. After that we have a break for Christmas and then we head out to our outreach country for 3 months. I'm excited to see what the Lord has for me during this year and I'm delighted to share in the Lord's journey with family and friends.
If you'd like more info on CPX check out their website http://www.allnationstraining.com
Blessings!