I recently returned from a four-day camping trip, in southern Virginia, with my mother, younger sister Leah, Aunt Lizzie and two cousins, Trevor and Sara.
  It was freezing.  We camped by a river the first night and though I couldn't sleep for the cold, I have been colder.

 (don't worry! this isn't me, although I'm sure I've made that face before, and that does look like my hair....hmmm, but I don't have that sweatshirt.)

I am currently learning a very difficult lesson, especially when it comes to practical application.
  The lesson is called: Loving People With Jesus-Love Changes Them – Correcting Them All The Time Doesn’t.
  ‘Tis a trying one.
  And, you know, when I read in the Bible I see Jesus teaching this principle all the time, I recognize this as something we should live by and I even agree, at the time.
  But when frustrating circumstances arise where you simply think to yourself, “Oh my word!
  Look at what they are doing!
  Okay, I know I’ve explained this to them what seems like a million times, I’m just going to explain it again – and hey! Repetition is the mother of learning!”
  I then proceed to teach whoever the person is that what they are doing is not the right way to do it.
  They stare at me blankly slowly removing their hands from their work.
  Here, I tell them, let me show you.
  I teach them how to do it the proper way and explain, ever so clearly, why this is the proper way, and leave them to finish the job properly. 
 

I have done this so many times and each time Jesus is telling me in my head, “My dearest, this is not the way.
  This is not the way I have shown you.”
  And I’m all, “Yeah I know Jesus, but look here:
  I’m sure if I teach them again they’ll get it.
  They have to, how can they not! For heavens sake I will beat it into their brains!”
  After attempting to teach people to be perfect several hundred times, I am resolved to the way things are and humbly acceptive of the obvious perfection, knowledge and wisdom of Christ Almighty.
  Loving them is the way to go.
 

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I am going to New Orleans this summer and I believe my job will look something like me praying with and greeting the leaders when they arrive and simply making myself available to pray and listen to whoever throughout the weeks.
  I need to raise $3,000, God has provided all the time in the past – fellow believers supported me with $8,700 (when all I needed was $8,000) last year while I was in South Africa, that is amazing, and it was amazing – so I know it is in His never-changing character to be our Provider and I trust, if it is His will, He will do so again.
  I love you Jesus.
  I praise you Lord the Father and Maker of all creation, of the heavens and the earth and all the planets and every living, and dead, organism on them!
  We praise You for Your Sovereignty, for Your goodness, Your gentleness and Your patience.
  You are love.
  We love You, O God.

So if you would like to contribute to my need, please prayerfully consider doing so.
  Checks can be made out to Adventures In Missions and sent to the following address:
 

                                    3967 C. Loggins Rd.

                                    Gainesville, GA 30506
 

I love you, my faithful readers.
  May you dig into the Word, the Scripture and Manual that guides us through life, and may you find yourself receiving revelation upon revelation as you do so.
  May God bless you.