life on the plumbing crew

This week has been intense. I have learned so many new things that will be beneficial to my walk, and Satan is throwing a fit. I have been attacked so much this week in my ability to withstand distractions, to focus and listen. But the Lord is faithful and it's Friday! Our lectures were on Intercession and Worship, and our speaker rocked my socks off. A few key points for your pondering over the next few days:

-First off, as believers, we have to ability to hear God's voice as clearly as we hear someone talking on the phone. He desires that intimate of a relationship with us. In hearing His voice we have to clear out all other voices.
-we learned about intercession and how it is different from prayer. Intercession is getting specifics from God on how to pray for individuals , groups, or situations. We clear out our own ideas of what needs to be prayed for and ask the Lord what He would have us pray for.
-Steps to intercede: Praise God first. He is worthy, even when we're not in the mood. Confess sin areas in your life. Ask the Lord to reveal areas that might be hindering you from hearing Him better. Lay down your own thoughts, desires, or distractions. Resist the enemy. He gets nervous when he knows we're about to hear from God and will attack in your weakest areas. but he has no authority in our times of prayer. Invite the Holy Spirit to come and give you a clear picture, word, vision of what needs to be prayed for.

The Lord really moved and spoke specifically this week. It was amazing! Like nothing I've ever experienced. Today, I was feeling praticularly discouraged before our intercession time. I was begging the Lord to show me that I was still on the right path with Him, still in step with Him. As the worship leader played on, I had my head bowed, eyes closed, and I distinctly heard a cello playing. I looked up to where the band was, and obviously there was no cello player there, but I could still hear it. undeniably, the cello. I closed my eyes and asked the Lord to reveal to me what it meant. I got a vision of the Lord playing the cello, and I was the instrument! if any of you has ever seen a really good cello player, you know that the instrument looks like it's just an extension of the player's own body. it's captivatingly beautiful to watch. the Lord began to show me through the vision that He wanted me to be an extension of His own body, His own will, He wanted me to make music that would be good and pleasing to His ears, with my life. It was such and amazing and intimate time with Him! I'm praying that you all will experience the fullness of His love and desire to meet with you this week!

The last week and a half me and a friend of mine, Brendan, have been assigned the various plumbing jobs around base for our work duties. I know NOTHING about plumbing. basically I hold the wrench while Brendan does the work. haha. but it has been a great time to serve the body here on base and learn some new things that might come in handy later in life. today I will be learning how to drive on the left side of the road so I can go to the plumbing store! ahhh! pray for me! haha, driving a standard on the left side of the road sounds a bit scary, but should be an adventure.

I love and miss you all!!!