What is your legacy?

So, as today is memorial day, I spent time with family, and also realized how soon it is that I am leaving for the summer-- as it was the last time i'd see many of those i spent time with. It was a good time with family, a good time talking, a good time laughing, a good time eating.

So, do you realize I leave for Germany in less than a week. Only a few days really.. even I haven't much realized it yet.

Many think it strange i'd be going overseas a third year in a row, many think I go just for the experience. Oh how i loath the word "experience." However, I am going this summer, and I know it's where I'm supposed to be. I know without a doubt, God wants me in Germany. Not simply because I have a love for the language and the culture, not simply because God provided all the money i needed to go... but because God has changed my heart to match his.

I have a confession. Upon arriving home last summer. I told myself "i'm not going anywhere next summer." Well my heart started changing, and i KNEW I belonged in Japan. I was standing in a worship service singing "did you feel the mountains tremble" and it came to the part of the song which says "did you feel the darkness tremble, when all the saints join in one song?" and the image of me and a few of those on my japan team singing at the "alter" at the shinto shrine, and the darkness seeming to fade away came to mind and i just KNEW God wanted me in Japan. Well, God slowly began to show me he wanted me back in Germany. It wasn't until a couple of months ago, that God has changed my heart to match His. I know without a doubt he wants me in Germany, even though i didn't want to go back there. I do now, i know it's where I belong...

Already, I am so excited to see what God is going to do.
However, I have something huge on my heart-- a decision I need to make. I first want to pray over it and discuss it with some people, but I want your prayer.

Love,
Lara

There is something about looking at something from a different perspective that makes it intriguing. Why exactly things like this intrigue us really doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me. So many times I'm in my backyard and I just see these potted plants as what they are.. potted plants. I fail to see the beauty of the flower, or plant, much less the beauty in which it is planted... that's much like life overseas... so many things are the same but because you have, what I like to call "foreign eyes" you see things much differently. Lately, it's been interesting to look at Dallas (my home town) with these same foreign eyes. To see the quirks the town has, to see the hurts the town has, to even see the pain present in peoples eyes, yet joy in others. I pray that I keep my perspective in Germany this summer, and I ask that you pray that prayer for me and for my team. That our prespective is one that is God driven, one that allows us to let Christ work with us and through us.


To date, it looks like I will have recieved/earned enough money for this summer. This is my third time to make efforts in a fundraising "project" such as this, and this year has been quite the easiest round. I had my hesitations, thinking it would be more difficult because I was going to a new church where I knew no one at all, I didn't have a job, etc. Well, God was faithful to provide generous givers, faithful givers, supporters, prayer warriors, and he also provided me with a wonderful job. I know it is divine that I go this summer, and honestly I'm stinkin pumped about it. This summer is going to be extremely different than the past two, and I know God is already doing something huge in the hearts of those in Cologne, but also in the hearts of my team members and the hearts of you guys who are pr-ing for us state wide.

I thank you so much for everything.
-Lara Jo

Hey Friends-

I know I know, why does she need another blog right?

Well, many of you do check www.postcardsfromedgeu.blogspot during the summer while I'm in Germany working with the M's and students that travel through, however.. as I am a journalism major (meh.. i'm an ameteur really) I decided I would like to have my own blog to tell of my adventures, my joys, my prayer requests for the summer. I will stillb e updating post cards and you may see a few repeats, but this blog will be a little more personal... :)

I'll also be using this blog for when I'm studying and working in Hannover Germany, August 2007 to August 2008 for my practicum and idependent study.

Can't wait to hear your comments and encouragement during this summer
and next!

Lara