Seeking Him

"Please pray for our team. Throughout preparation for this trip, I knew that this was a special group of people. In worship today, God revealed it in a different way.
So many in our group are in transitions in life. They are seeking where the Father would like to use them. Several are called into missions service and are searching God’s will as to where and when. Others recognize that they are floundering in life and know the Father desires more. Pray for the Holy Spirit to give guidance and our courage to step out in faith.
Pray for opportunities at this university. I’m not just talking about this week but in the future. The University is looking for an English teacher. Perhaps one of ours will answer that call. There are opportunities to serve the Father as an exchange student. Perhaps the Father will call one of these to come, study and serve. God really has some special opportunities awaiting here at the University".

This is the update on the missions team blog from this past Sunday. As I read it, tears streamed down my face...wondering what God is doing in Heather's heart during this trip. You see, I've been praying for this team for 6 months, ever since this trip became an opportunity. We're not able to talk to Heather while she's away. So we sit, we imagine the awesomeness of God's work in these college kids lives. We wonder what Heather is experiencing. She has been seeking God's will in her life, her future...and very open to whatever that will is.

I am constantly reminded of a song from the movie Fireproof...words that have become so precious in my life, words that I cling to. Trusting in Him, serving Him with my whole heart while I wait. I hope these words are an encouragement to you today:

I'm waiting, I'm waiting on You, Lord. And I am hopeful, I'm waiting on You, Lord. Though it is painful, but patiently, I will wait. I will move ahead, bold and confident, taking every step in obedience. While I'm waiting, I will serve You, Lord. While I'm waiting, I will worship. While I'm waiting, I will not faint. I'll be running the race, even while I wait. I'm waiting, I'm waiting on You, Lord. And I am peaceful. I'm waiting on You, Lord. Though it's not easy, but faithfully, I will wait. Yes, I will wait. I will serve You while I'm waiting, I will worship while I'm waiting, I will serve You while I'm waiting, I will worship while I'm waiting, I will serve you while I'm waiting, I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord.

Heather is in flight to Asia as we speak. We took her to the airport this morning at 6am. The group departed from Charlotte and arrived in Chicago around 10am. They were due to leave Chicago at 1pm and are scheduled to arrive Hong Kong at 4:45 Wed afternoon (their time...having no idea the time difference right now...I believe that will be around 5am here tomorrow morning).
I'm missing her already but Scott and I have been so excited about this missions trip.
I want to thank you for your financial support and/or your prayers that have already been lifted up for Heather. She will arrive back in Charlotte Monday, May 31st at 9:40pm. She is looking forward to what the Lord has in store for her.
You can track her trip by visiting http://sharinglovingkindness.blogspot.com/. Our missions pastor will be adding pictures and updating their progress several times each day.

Scott and I had the opportunity to visit Charleston this week for our anniversary. We've never been there and now we know why people love it: Beautiful city, so much to do, gorgeous homes, very relaxing, just to name a few.
We arrived Sunday afternoon (May 9th). The weather could not have been more perfect...mid-70's and sunny. We walked a ton, which was a good thing because we ate a ton. We enjoyed a wonderful breakfast at our hotel each morning and some amazing dinners each evening (thanks to 2 extremely generous gifts we received from 2 anonymous couples in our Sunday School class). On Monday, we took a horse and carriage ride around the city of Charleston. We took several tours and just simply relaxed.
It was a great week and a much-needed vacation! Here are just a couple of our pictures...

Doesn't the title make you interested? Well, it did me, and if you know me well enough, you know I'm a sucker for doing whatever I can to help this hair. It looks like wire. Okay, it's gray...LOTS of gray!! And they're sprouting from everywhere. Well, I saw this article using products you have in your own kitchen that promise to:

1. Make your damaged hair smooth and silky.
2. Make your dry hair frizz-free and shiny.
3. Revitalize your hair color with tea!

I'm in! And I'm going to try these with my girls (they are always guinea pigs when I'm trying something new :) I thought, "I'm sure my friends would like this information too"...so here goes:

• Damaged hair to smooth and silky hair: Remove the pit from one very ripe avocado and mash the flesh; Add 1/2 tsp. olive oil and whip until smooth; Before you shampoo, mist your hair with water to get it slightly damp, then work the avocado mask into your hair with a comb; Wrap hair in plastic and relax for at least half an hour; Remove plastic, rinse hair and wash as usual. (yields 1 application)
• Dry hair to frizz-free and shiny hair: Whisk one egg until frothy; Blend in 1/2 cup plain yogurt and 2 Tbs. olive oil; Apply to damp hair and scalp in small sections; Leave on hair for at least 15 minutes. Shampoo and condition as usual (1 application).
• Revitalizing your hair color: Brew 2 or 3 tea bags steeped for 10 minutes. Use black tea if you're a brunette, hibiscus tea if you're a redhead or chamomile tea if you're a blonde (no reference to the type of tea for gray hair, so I'll opt for the chamomile tea :); Allow the tea to cool. Pour the liquid over dry hair (so it can absorb the most pigment), comb through for even distribution, then leave on for about 20 minutes; Shampoo and condition as usual (1 application).

Oh yes, I will be trying these! You may want to wait for my post updating how these turn out....in case I end up bald!