I want to give an enormous THANK YOU to Relevant Media Group (http://www.relevantnetwork.com/) in Orlando (Relevant, Radiant, and Leader. http://www.relevantmagazine.com/ ). I myself subscribe to Relevant Magazine (the only mag subscription I've ever had, and well worth it!), and was sad to know that it would be so difficult to get it while in Slovakia. Oh by the way, this is where I've been wanting to get a job for over a year!

I e-mailed them last week saying that some of the folks in Trnava really enjoyed Relevant Magazine, and so did I. I asked if it would be possible if I could take 10-15 issues of their old copies that aren't on the shelves anymore- only halfway expecting an answer back, to be honest. The next week a wonderful gal named Theresa e-mailed me and told me to come on by to pick them up! I went there last night to get them and she came to the front with a smile and a huge stack of magazines. She even went to the back to get MORE! She gave me at least 22-25 issues of Relevant, Radiant and Leader for me to take to Slovakia with me and keep at the ministry.

She sent me on my way with a smile and a hug, and I left there with a huge smile on my face, feeling so thankful for these guys for being so generous.

So Theresa, Cameron, anybody else who had a hand in that decision.... THANK YOU!! You're taking part in investing in a real difference.

So the other night I went to a Christian concert over at the college arena at UCF. It was Mercy Me, Barlow Girl, some other guys, and the reason I went: Skillet. For any Skillet fans out there, it was a fantastic show!

Anyway, in between sets there was a speaker who "entertained" the crowd while the next band set up. I have to admit, this guy was good. He gave an entire synopsis of the Gospel in a brief, funny, truthful, and clear way. He not only shared it through a great analogy, but threw in humor, some very serious consequences to not believing, and in a pretty tasteful way invited those who wanted to change their lives to take action. Over a thousand people stood up because they wanted to make a change, whether for the first time or for the 50th time. The tour even sent them all information, books, and devotionals to help with their walk.

While my attitude at first was "Bring back the music!!" at first, I was humbled pretty quickly as he kept speaking. How selfish I was to demand the musical distractions while he's trying to explain to thousands of people the message of the Gospel in their own youthful language.

By the end of his 15 minute speech, to be honest, I had a sincere jealousy for how he was able to express the Gospel in the way that he did. I really respected this guy for how great he communicated, and it made me want to learn how to communicate better. He was loud, funny, outgoing, and well-spoken. I started to feel a little down on myself, thinking, "Wow, if I was asked to get up on stage and say what he did, I'm about 100% sure it wouldn't be as great." In a very tricky way, Satan came into that scenario and wanted me to believe that if I couldn't speak as good as the speaker, I might as well give up. He wanted me to believe that I'm too soft-spoken and shy, to scared, to reserved to be effective in showing Christ to unbelievers, simply because I wasn't as "good" as this guy.

Soon after, I was reassured something pretty important. God is going to use me despite my sin. Despite my shortcomings and all the ways I fail, He's going to use the person who He's made to advance His kingdom in maybe a different way than someone else. There are unbelievers out there who would be completely turned off from the Gospel if they heard this guy speak. There are unbelievers who are tired of the way a lot of people are sharing the Gospel with them. There are a lot of people like me who find a huge value in a one-on-one discussion and close friendships.... who are quiet and reserved... who went through the same problems I went through as a kid... who are just looking for someone like them to share God's love in a really special way.

From what I have been told, this relational type of process is what the young people in Slovakia can relate to. Not all of them, of course, but some. I look forward to finding all the different ways that God has created me to share His love in "custom" ways to each individual young person. We're all called to be different parts of The Body of Christ. It's an understatement to say that it's a relief to have a God that loves you and will use you no matter how often you fall short!

Bauer HAS a Home! - Travel Plans - Prayer Requests

Finally... I found a home for my cat after 6 months! Now I can move forward without worrying about him...

So this is my last week at work at Strang Communications. I'll be leaving next Monday for a long trip home.

I'll be stopping in Tallahassee for a night, through Atlanta to visit Mission to the World, then up to Chattanooga to visit friends at Covenant College for a night. After that I'll go to Asheville, NC for a night and then up to Lakeside, Ohio for at least 3 or 4 nights.

From there I will either go home to NC or stop in NY and/or PA to visit family. Please pray for my safety during these travels. I had severe car trouble over the weekend, and even though the cost of getting it fixed was substantial, I am so thankful that I didn't break down in the middle of nowhere by myself!

If any of you live in these areas and want to meet up for coffee or a meal, please please call me!

__________________

Other than that, things are going okay. I'm not nearly as stressed as I thought I would be... at least not yet. Leaving my friends in Orlando is going to be a very very difficult thing for me to do.

Once I get home, I'm going to immediately start working at Camp Chestnut Ridge part time during the week/weekend. Most of my time will be dedicated to raising support.

I really do covet your prayers during this time.

Well, I'll write a bit more later. Hope y'all are having a good week!

Hello! I wanted to spread the word that I've "published" a photo book that is available for sale here: http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/163423 All profit will go directly to my support as I raise funds to go back to Slovakia for a year.

Bauer needs a home asap!

Hi everyone. We're at 27.8% today!

As some of you know (because I've blatantly asked you), I have to find a home for my cat. I obviously can't take him with me to SK. I've been looking for 3 months for a home, but no one seems to be able to take him. I've even tried taking him to the SPCA, and long story short, they wouldn't take him.

I am running out of options! Would any of you be willing to adopt a new cat?

Here's a little about him. His name is Bauer, and he's an orange tabby cat. I found him a little over a year ago on September 11th as a stray, and he was a baby when I found him. He has been neutered and declawed in the front paws (so he won't scratch up your furniture!). Bauer is extremely playful, loves attention, loves to be pet, loves to play games with you, and his favorite game is fetch. Yep, he'll fetch stuff like a dog, it's very cute. He'll come to you when you call his name or whistle and stop doing something when you say stop.

If you decide to take Bauer, you'll get all the fixin's with him, including a covered litter box, continuous food feeder, lots of toys, flea medication, etc. Oh, and he's had all his shots too and he has no health problems.

If you would like to come meet him, or if you'd like to take him, please please let me know as soon as possible! I need to find a home BEFORE JANUARY 22nd!!!