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Aloha, though the usual warm feelings that acompany that greeting are lost in the snow drifts and icy conditions that have settled among the Highlands. Aside from being blistering cold here, things are going quite well. About the only thing I seem to be struggling with is the smoking issue. I battle both sides of it. I know I should be walking in the light with it, and in one form, I am. Its on my website for all to see, though I know all dont look at my website. I’m in an area that tends to be very judgemental and so I’ve reverted to keeping it behind “closed doors” so to speak. I’m leary of the wrong people finding out and then being judgemental, borderline condemning, about it. This is something that I know I cannot carry to China with me, and someone wise told me recently that defeating smaller devils or vices gives us the stature to defeat the larger ones that come along in life. So I ask once again for your prayers in this matter. Although I know I have many, this seems to be my most deceptive fault while I am at home. Come to think of it, I’ve been struggling with lust while I’ve been home as well. Of course, picking up Maxim magazines and those sport car tuner magazines that are lying around my friends apartment doesnt help matters any. Though there is no nudity, they are nothing but implied pornography with sexual references strewn throughout the pages.

Aside from those two things, which are neither the base nor the pinnacle of the problems we face in our everyday life, everything else is going great. Family wise, things are going smoothly. I had a great weekend at my Dad’s two weeks ago and I’m returning again this weekend. I’m adjusting to the changes that have taken place here not only with my family, but my friends as well. I’ve been having a diffucult time relating to my best friend Dan since I’ve been home. Although, after speaking to my Pastor today, I recieved a bit of wisdom on the issue. Dan and I have both grown immensely over the past year, but weve grown in different directions. Were both climbing upward, but we have both merged off in different directions. So now, essentially, we are both looking at the same God, the same Jesus, but from different angles. His being a local angle, and mine being a world angle. Niether angle is wrong, we are just seeing different facets of His Glory in our lives and the lives of those around us. Finance wise, things are coming in in the Good Lords great timing. Im about 1/3 or closer to my goal with others considering support as we speak. Im getting deeper into C. S. Lewis’ Mere Christianity and find that I am only able to read a chapter at a time without losing the content of what I’m reading.

I’ve been trying my best to walk in the Fear of the Lord in every area of my life, though its seemingly harder in some areas than others. Just a few days ago, I apologized and made restitution to a couple of friends that I stole some money from when we were fresh out of high school. That was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. To admit that I not only stole it, but also lied about it after the fact. Though I feel that my apology and restitution was as much for me as it was for them. Theres a certain peace that comes when you set things right that you once did wrong. I’ve come to realize that we all are in a constant condition of realignment throughout our entire lives. Though things have been quite non-stop since I arrived almost three weeks ago, I have found a little time to hang out with my friends and relax a bit. Being home has been so much more than I had even come close to imagining. My final prayer in all of this is that any of you who read this do not hold my honesty against me. The most important thing to me in my interaction with and love of others is that I am completely transparent. I want everyone to know that I am by no means perfect and I deal with brokenness in much of the same ways that the rest of humanity does. I want those who read this to know that I am striving to walk in the light, to keep my strengths and weaknesses visible, and that I am constantly seeking the Lord’s help to greaten my strengths as well as battle and overcome my weaknesses. From Glory to Glory.

Praise Jesus,
Amen, and Amen

Hey everyone, I am back home again, but only for a few weeks. I need prayer support in the midst of this new family situation. It’s turned out to be a bit more difficult for me to adjust than I had expected. Seeing my mother being affectionate to someone other than my dad is just a total shock to my system. I know that when I see my dad in a few days and see him with his wife, that its going to be just as hard, if not harder (Mom, Dad: Don’t feel like you have to change your actions around me, this is not your fault. It is something I must work through). Admittedly, this hurts a bit more than I thought. So I really need the prayer support. Also, while it is virtually non existent when I am away, the urge to smoke cigarettes is magnified 10 fold while I’m at home, so please pray for resistance in that area. On the upside of things, being home is really showing me where my heart lies. I see that there is so much to be done here and that this place is ripe for the harvest, but my heart is not here. My heart lies on the other side of the world, back in Asia. God is raising up some amazing leaders and evangelists here in this tiny little town, one of them being my best friend Dan. He’s totally on fire and will talk about Jesus even if it means jeopardizing his job, and I pray that that fire only increases. The next six weeks are going to be intense for me in many ways, and I know that God has much for me to learn during my time here. My excitement for heading back to Asia and teaching and discipling grows each day, so pray that I don’t over look the message that God has for me while I am home.

Thank you all for your love and support, and if any of you have anything that you need prayers for, or anything else that I may be able to help you with, don’t hesitate emailing. I love you all and you’re in my prayers.