halfway down...

So...I can hardly believe 3 weeks have passed by and only 4 or 5 remain (I've lost count)

This morning marked the end of our discipleship training program...a week of incredible transformation...the prayer for a transformational summer in my life and the lives of all the students is being answered.

What happened this week?
- I was in charge of the hostel for the week...Preparing and cooking all the meals for 40+ people, delegating chores and meal prep help, laundry, cleaning, and of course, my favorite, dessert every night :)
- Investing in our girls...This week was full of intense, deep communication with 40 college students from all around the world, in addition to life-changing times alone with God...Each one of the girls on our team has struggled, and yet, God is moving and blessing them abundantly...praise be to His name! I loved loved! this week, last year I had a difficult and overwhelming experience when all the international students came, but this year has been incredible, I have learned SO much, been challenged in SO many ways, and left SO deeply encouraged...again, praise His name! God is doing great things.
- Discussion groups... One of the things I most love is having intense, deep conversations about God and the Word. Every morning this week, after our quiet times, we broke up into our discussion groups and did just that, talked for hours, asking questions, searching scripture, praising God, praying through difficult thoughts...oh, what sweet times!
- Lydia (Inna's sister) and I talked all throughout the week in Russian! sweet music to my ears! :)

What is ahead of us this next week?
- LATVIA!!!!

What will this look like for me and our team?
- Being united as one body witht the UK team (who I really enjoy)
- Spending and being Spent for Him
- little sleep
- lots of conversations, lots of games, lots of craziness!, lots of Russian, lots of smiles coming from me :)
- being surrounded by orphans who are longing for love

Prayer requests?
- One of our girls is really struggling and will probably be leaving back to the States soon/before Latvia (noone has ever been allowed to go home early...a picture of how severe the situation is). Please pray for her, for God's healing hand. Please pray for the rest of us girls and my heart...I find myself feeling like I could have done more to help her, but I need to realize that only God can heal her and pull her out of the pit of darkness that has engulfed this dear sister...all of us girls have truly grown to love her as a sister and it breaks my heart to see her go.
- I'm already thinking about the day that I will have to say goodbye to the Latvians...pray that the Lord would keep me focused on today, His daily bread which will get me through today and today alone, that I would be able to pour out all of my heart each day, without reservation, knowing that, yes, my heart may break, but His will is good, pleasing, and perfect.
- unity amongst the UK and US team as we prepare to leave together...strength, energy, love and compassion, for each other and for everyone at the camp
- open ears, eyes, and hearts...for all God has to teach us and teach others through us

Know that I'm praying for you all and send my love :) praise God for all He is doing.

The last few days I have had Psalm 66 stuck on my mind...may this be true for all of our summers and lives...
"Shout with joy to God all the earth! Sing the glory of his name, make his praise glorious!...all the earth bows down to you, they sing praise to your name. selah. Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works in man's behalf! He turned the sea into dry land, they passed through the waters on foot- come, let us rejoice in him. He rules forever by his power, his eyes watch the nations...Praise our God, O peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard, he has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping. For you, O God, tested us, you refined us like silver. You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs, you let men ride over our heads, we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance...Come and listen, all you who fear God, let me tell you what he has done for me...." Praise be to His name!

Monday morning, July 6, we leave for Riga, Latvia...July 9 camp begins in Rezekne, Latvia... This will be my last posting, most likely, until we return from Latvia because the hostel we will be staying at is different than last time (praise God no more Friendly Fun Franks :) )

these next weeks will be very difficult, but still, very sweet...please be praying and praising God for all He is doing! our God is very real, very living, and very active.

I love you all.