"The Joy of the Lord is my STRENGTH" 9/15/09

Hey Guys-
So last night I had the most amazing experience and I want to share it. It was 7 p.m. right after dinner clean up. I was tired and really didn't feel like worshipping... I felt laugh passing out after the long day of lectures, work duties, and getting up at 6 a.m.! About a half an hr. into the two hrs. of worship I just started weeping. Over the last three weeks I've felt so numb here. I've felt like I'm living a routine not living as Christ. Needless to say I was discouraged and I was just begging God to reveal himself to me. Suddenly, Janine and Brea came around me and just prayed over me for about ten minutes. I just cried and prayed... it's all I could do.

After I had had my cry out I started worshipping again. Suddenly I heard Janine giggling. She ran over to me and just hugged me. I was like.... mmk? She couldn't control her laughter and I was so confused why she was laughing... but without even realizing it I started laughing too! We were CRACKING UP! The joy of the Lord entered into the room and it was absolutely amazing. I've never experienced Christ like that before. The room was suddenly overwhelmed with shouts of praise and singing and dancing! It was outstand and I hope whoever reads this gets a chance to experience complete and overwhelming Joy like that!

This evening I finished my first 24 hr. fast. Man- it was hard. I'm sure I've gone 24 hrs. without food before without realizing it... but when you're constantly thinking about it it makes it that much harder. This week we fasted and prayed over South Africa and the marriages in our lives. God brought Romans 12:9 to my heart which says, "Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil and cling to what is good!" It made me think about God's sincerity and the love that we cannot even possibly comprehend. It's amazing to think about. It blows my mind! I'm learning so much here! (so much that is really hard to communicate on a blog but I'm doing my best)

Anyways, thanks (as always) everyone for your prayers and support. Tonight Etienne announced our outreach locations! There are four (three of which are out of the country). We will be splitting up into four teams of about 8-10 ppl approx. We aren't aloud to discuss where we want/are going until Wednesday(ish) with our fellow students and staff (so that we don't choose based on people). We have until Tuesday to pray about where God wants us to go and discuss it with Etienne and Tania. Two of the locations I'm drawn to... but I really want the Lord to lead me to where he can use me the most.

Prayer Request: PLEASE PLEASE pray that God will be speak to me about my outreach location. Once I have a definite location I will post all the location but I want to keep it between me and God until he shows me. :) Thank you for your prayers!!!

I love you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

God Bless,
-Shanna