Complete in Your presence.
Secure in Your love,
You make me who I am
Because of Who You are.

I'm satisfied completely.
Contented just to be by Your side.

How could I ever ask for more
than what you give me Lord?

I find it all in You
Yes I find it all in You. [sung by Meredith Andrews]

Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul and fills the hungry soul with goodness. [Psalm 107:8&9]

Admittedly this is a very simple answer and it was purposely so. More in depth reasons could have been given, and more scriptures could have been quoted. I know each of us (trainees) have given slightly different answers that were all true. It depends on who you are talking to, what the context is, and how well they grasp the terminology you're using. To me, this is the foundational reason why I personally don't smoke weed. You could further expound by asking them what they get out of smoking weed, and point out how self-centered the reasons are. As Christians we understand that it simply does not bring glory to God.

Now I'm curious. What would you say?

And by the way, I got to talk to Mocha again today. She let me speak to her some more but basically told me I was wasting my time. She asked some more good questions that gave room for me to share more, but I tried to convey that I don't have all the answers but I know the one Who does. She needs Jesus, not intellectual peace in just being proved to that God exists. "Even the demons believe and tremble". Please pray for her. She has pretty much accepted my offer of friendship and is not hard-natured in responding to what I say. I know God can convict her of her sin as well.

I'm sitting next to a huge window at the library, watching the snow fall. Its a fun challenge to stare out the window and type at the same time and then look back at my screen and see how many words I did or didn't misspell.

I have so much to say I'm not sure why I started out with that intro except for the fact that I don't know where to else to start.

I was reminded that this weekend is Valentines day. I don't know what to think abut that. I feel rather ba-humby about this holiday this year, when its rare for me to even acknowledge its existance. I don't particularly like chocolate--not that I have an aversion to it. Flowers rate pretty high, and it doesn't even always have to be the thought that counts when it comes down to roses. I would probably accept flowers from my worst enemy. (not that I have one at the moment) Though they do smell nicer when coming from a friend. This is really of little importance, because valentine's day is supposed to be about romantic love. There's many who call it National Single's Awareness Day. I feel like thats a rather discontented attempt for "fairness" in the world, but I understand what they may be feeling. So. Mind if I ride the fence on this one?

There are kids that hang out on the streets of this city, every day. The same ones every day. I've met a lot of them now. Jesse and his sisters Autumn and Billy. Mocha and her boyfriend Robbie. China, Dillon, Echo and so many others. Their most common response to the gospel is "Can I still smoke weed if I'm a Christian?" We thank God for any question they ask, and pray for wisdom to answer it. He has been gracious. Friends are being made and not on shallow pretenses. One day we bought them all starbucks, but it wasn't to bribe them to listen. They already had. We're hoping our small efforts to share with them, will bear eternal fruit.

Did you know there is a difference between 'having the Holy Spirit in you' and 'being filled with the Holy Spirit' ? That's one of the first things that was made clear in my mind, when I first started classes here. Its fascinating really, and crucial to comprehending how Christ works in us.

My mom flew into the area last night, but I haven't seen her yet. She's still several hours away spending some time with extended family. I'll probably get to see her this weekend sometime.

The snowflakes are getting bigger. I just saw a lady walk by in capris and snow boots. This town has a very odd sense of fashion. Following right behind her was a lady in capris and flip-flops. Made the snow boot look seem the lesser of two evils. Did I mention its snowing? I'm not sure why I'm ending with this, but otherwise I just don't know when to stop. There's more to tell... but my thoughts are scattered. Often when an experience is over, its hard to summarize in words. Suffice it to say, that God is giving evidence of His existence and tender loving care for me.

More to come, but who knows when. If you would like to be added to my update mailing list email me @ kaylenelise@yahoo.com I've sent one update out since I've been here, if you got it, you're already on the list.

Forewarning: New paragraph means new subject completely.

I'm sick of being sick. Everything but my ears is dripping. But today, I'm actually feeling SO much better than I have since Friday. So praise the Lord for that.

Thanks, thanks, THANKS for the feedback on the last post/poll. I actually haven't fully decided yet, but I'm leaning towards sticking with Face Value. It was almost 50/50 as far the poll went. Plus I got some thoughtful feedback through other avenues and your thoughts definitely played into swaying me one direction or another. If only all of life's quandaries where this insignificant . I don't know, maybe I should post a poll next time I'm wondering where to move next.

Back before I came up here for the training, I wasn't just busy packing. I was helping a friend who lives in Malawi, Africa (though at the time was with family for Christmas, in my neck of the woods). We were setting up a web site for the very reason that he is in Malawi right now. His boss, James Nyondo, a Christian man, is running for president of Malawi. He needed a campaign web site. Silly me was pretty eager to use her computer savvy for a bigger cause than her own, and wanted to learn more about the process of web building anyways. So I dived in. We dived in. Only to discover I knew nothing of what I was doing. Through time, sweat, desperate pleas for help--Thanks Kaysie, Josh, Tobin, cousin Jesse, and others!!!-- and many an answered prayer, it actually came together and it. was. fun! Why am I finally getting around to telling you this? Well it was launched this last week, and just thought I'd put a little plug here for www.jamesnyondo09.com in case you planned on voting in the Malawian elections this year, OR if you just wanted to check out the website and be in prayer for him and my friend. Please pray that God would have His will done concerning the campaign and that if its His will for Mr. Nyondo to go "all the way" that He would miraculously provide the funds needed. Pray also that whatever place in leadership Mr. Nyondo serves in, that he would never miss an opportunity to share the gospel and that God would give him boldness in that.

Did you know there is music at the bottom of this page? Yeppers. But you have to tell it to play, because if you're like me, sometimes those automatic players mess with what you're already listening to. Just thought I'd let you know that its there.

Ok, next post will be more update-ish than this one.

Good bye.

PS... Last night I was watching the movie"Out of Africa" while chatting with the friend who is "in Africa". What? why am I the only one who thinks this is funny? I was also chatting with a friend who is wanting to go to the very place in Africa that the movie was about, this summer. Ironic right? Well I thought it was interesting. ;-) If nothing else, I hope you realize how significant it was that I was chatting with two people and watching a movie.