I can wake up, pray, read my Bible and feel so loved; within minutes of stepping out of bed I can forget. Our minds are constantly needing to be reminded of how loved we are. How easy it is for us to feel unloved or unwanted. Imagine how those that don't even know they are loved must feel. Imagine not knowing this love that surpasses all other loves. Imagine your lowest low and not having a Father in Heaven to love you through it. Imagine seeing hundreds of sons & daughters, husbands & wives, mums & dads, grandparents, and children that don't know they have His arms to run back to when they feel unloved. There is no one too broken or too lost to find redemption. How could we not be desperately seeking to tell them this great news?

"For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39

Our team will be hosting several sports camps and community outreaches this week for locals. Pray that we will boldly proclaim the Gospel and share this great love with those that desperately need to hear it. Pray that their hearts are being prepared right now to hear about a love that will bring them out of all pain and suffering and bring them into a love that will last through eternity!

And I want to sing lullabies to Earth as she cries

I want to be a songbird
And I want to sit on the tallest branch of the tallest tree
And I want to sing lullabies to Earth as she cries
But I really want to try and make her laugh.
I want to be a songbird

And I want to watch sunrise
With my love by my side
And I want to grow and I want to learn 
I want a fire and I want to burn
I want to rise and I want to fall
I want to run and I want to crawl.
I want to be a songbird

And I just want to try to know how far and deep and wide 
This love is that You give cuz that’s what it is to really live
To just try and look around 
See when our breaths and hear You in our sounds
I want to be a songbird

Go thru things that I need 
Make me hurt and make me bleed
Cuz I will arise and see the light
I’ll pray my way through the night
And I want to be a songbird

And I want to sing lullabies to Earth as she cries
But I really want to try and make her laugh
How you made me laugh
You made me laugh

Take the strings and the things I use to tie me to the ground
Let them all be gone
I want to be a songbird

Bound in the Spirit

I would be lying if I didn't tell you that each day is getting better and better. I truly and deeply love each of the 13 people I am sharing this house with and I haven't known most of them for more than a week. I also truly and deeply love every single person I meet. Jesus has a sneaky way of calming your heart and whispering in your ear at just the right moment to continue on when our flesh would normally tell you that something is wrong and to hold back. I am being constantly challenged by the believers here, with their selfless and encouraging spirits I find myself relapsing from a mood change or feeling of discouragement within moments. Last night we climbed the top of Lordstone mountain (picture any scene in Braveheart at the tops of mountains) at sunset which over looks all of Teeside (the areas in which the ministry reaches). It was so beautiful. It will absolutely go down as an "I could feel the Lord so near" moment. As we prayed over all the valley, my heart couldn't have been more sure of what we were all called here to do. This place is so dark, the gray overcast that is so prominent in Northern England is a good image of the gray in their lives. Little kids cussing and lost and most men very bitter and hostile, as they are 97% without a father figure. How lovely to know that they each have a Father who is patiently waiting for those that will open their hearts to Him. & that is exactly why I'm here.

Today was 67 degrees and SUNNY! (not the picture above, that was in the 50s and cloudy) This was unheard of in England, I may have actually gotten a tan here. We basked in the sun in the garden (yard to us americans) all day today, it was glorious. There are so many funny terms that they use here. I absolutely have to bring them back to the states. Even the english kids are so proper and so witty and quick. I couldn't love them any more. Lovely, trousers, biscuits (cookies without frosting or choc chips), cue (a waiting line), ah there are so many. Tonight we went to a town called Inglesby and played footie with the kids for 3 hours! It was some form of heaven, I'm sure. They had so many questions for me and told me some hilarious impressions they have of what America is like. I hope I cleared their image of thinking we are all trying to make our way into the Playboy mansion and going to water parks every other weekend while worshipping Justin Bieber. What an odd life that would be. The kids truly don't have much understanding of a savior in their lives, nor do they truly see a need for one. It is disheartening but also encouraging to know that we were all called here for a reason.

"But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." Acts 20:24

Perhaps...

As I arrive in Manchester I see a little girl, couldn't be more than 3, in a tiny pink peacoat sitting on her grandmother's lap. Her British grandmother, as were most everyone other than me, asked if she would like a cup of juice. She replied in maybe the cutest accent I have EVER heard... "perhaps grandmum i could just have orange juice." Next I spent 3 hours riding through the beautiful English countryside until I reached my destination where the family was waiting for my arrival. We drove home, on the left side of the road, and I was able to gather together all of my belongings and together all 13 of us (a Welsh family dined with us also) sat and enjoyed a delicious meal. Next it was off to the High Street of Yarm, built in the 13th century, all brick and stone. We stopped for some tea at a local cafe followed by a walk riverside looking at enormous swans in the front of beautiful green rolling hills with huge trees and beautiful brick houses and a castle-looking church. What? I can't believe I am living in a city that fits the description I just drew. Next we went to Stokesley for an evening church service in a town hall. I met Sir John Rowling, a living angel I'm sure. Mike powerfully preached and a British friend led worship. Hearing the strong British accents so loud and boldly proclaiming the Lord's name was an enoucragement in itself. We stayed after for a bit to catch up with the locals. One man in particular touched my heart. He was a traveler, which is a modern day gypsy. Travelers have been viewed in a bad light because they often steal as their only form of making money and have many He has only lived on the move, does not know how to read, has never been to school. He has 4 kids and a wife and they heard of and learned the Gospel (only heard because they cannot read) and within the last year their lives have been transformed. The man who is named Priddy Boy, pronounced as Pretty boy, was telling us how he feels as white as snow and washed clean of all his sin. He was talking of Jehovah's witnesses and saying their wolves in sheep's clothing. He was saying direct quotes from the Bible and he has NEVER read it for himself. What an encouragement to us that have the knowledge and all the skills but are not actively pursuing God as much as a man that has come to know Him through other people's teaching, reading, and singing. I'm thrilled to know that I'll be spending eternity with many of these incredible British people I'm meeting! I feel so blessed to be here.

"With favor You will surround him as with a shield."

Hear me when I call O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distresses; have mercy on me, and hear my prayer:
How long, O you sons of men, will you turn my glory to shame? How long will you love worthlessness and seek falsehood? But know that the Lord has set apart for Himself who is godly; The Lord will hear when I call to Him. Be angry and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord. 
There are many who say "Who will show us any good?" Lord, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us. You have put gladness in my heart. More than in the season that their grain and wine increased. I will both lie down in peace and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.  Psalm 5

This time tomorrow I will be headed off to Chicago for an awkwardly long layover.  My prayer is that through even this time at the airport I am able to share our Father's love. I know that the only way to do this is to be constantly in the Word and prayer. I love thinking about all of the people I have praying for me. It is so sweet and it reminds me that even if I don't know anyone else at an international airport, I am truly never alone.

I also fully intend on flipping it. (Flip video camera). Especially the plane ride, ahhh!! I paid a little extra to get a window seat. Oh the people I will see...

And then the nerves go away and things like this happen, only to encourage me right along. TWO weeks & counting.