Today, I was reading and came across a quote that I have read and heard plenty of times...

Lord, make me a crisis man. Let me not be a milepost on a single road, but make me a fork that men must turn one way or another in facing Christ in me. - Jim Elliot.

after reading that one, I came across another quote which says, "I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody." - Bill Cosby.

After reading both, I found myself staring at the wall and sipping my hot tea lost in thought. After awhile i shifted my gaze to my clock and noticed I had been sitting there for an hour, mesmerized in thought by these two quotes. I then found myself praying Jim Elliot's prayer. I was scared to pray it, but knew I must. I prayed that others would be uncomfortable around me-- Christ being so evident that they would have to "turn one way or another." -- this is a scary prayer for me, because i AM a people pleaser, I do want to live for my Savior, but at the same time I want everyone to like me and be comfortable around me... but even Paul says in Galatians-- "If i were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave to Christ."

Currently, I am learning much. The past month has been so good for me, and I'm glad it was a part of my life. I'm currently attending a church here, and tonight as I worshiped, I realized something great-- I realized something that I thought I knew, but I'm learning even more, funny how that seems to always work....

I have a beautiful sister, S that i have now known for a month.... I'm praying about beginning an LTG with her-- (life transformation group)... I want to be really prayerful about it before asking... and have been praying since i first met her. She has already been such a blessing in my life. She's 22, and so in love with Father and so hungry for his word. ** Speaking of which, JSIs.. I need the LTG questions-- if any of you have them, or some... will you give me a copy of them? I don't want to ask her until i have the questions so i can show her... **

A beautiful Japanese couple just began to attend services at the church-- they are such a joy to be around and I love talking to them about their country. They have a beautiful daughter, (of which I can speak the few japanese words i know... they told me my pronunciation is great... but honestly, japanese isn't that hard to pronounce...) There are many other family members I have met, and I am filled with great joy and encouragement while around them, and even during the week, but I am also finding friendships outside this arena as well...

Father is putting many people on my heart that I know through the Uni... I'm finding friendships that are quite valuable and amazing... I'm learning a side of germans that is beautiful and amazing. They really are one of the most giving, loving, accepting people groups I have ever met. They love to give and to love, and show kindness... I've never really experienced this before while being here, because the venue i was in was much different. I am always put in awe as to how far people have gone for me-- Johanna and Lena are two girls who work for my supervisor here, and they have helped me with so much from my visa to bank accounts, to much more... and Jana and Jessica are two who studied in Angelo who have taken me out and encouraged me and much much much more. I'm so blessed and honored.

I am going to Hamburg for Thanksigiving, and I'm so excited to see my family there. <3 and to see Sandra and Alejandro at the love club.

I'm learning to seek Christ first in all I do-- in every situation.... in every relationship, every day

miss you all. and I'm praying for my "readers." aka.. you.

<3 love,
Lara Jo