with thanksgiving and praise

Jesus I want to thank you for being the only true Redeemer, our Messiah, born in Bethlehem of the lineage of David.
You are who you said you were as so many witnessed your death and resurrection.  The Romans and Jewish leaders could not keep you from your purpose here on earth.  They took you when the time was "come" and not a moment earlier.

My Father God in heaven, you had this all planned out for Genesis 1:1, and I praise you for calling me to be one of your own.  My life would have ended long ago, before I knew you if you had not proved to me that you are God and were watching over me.
You proved to me that Jesus, your only son, was given for me on the cruelest death crosses and he was raised from the dead for me.  You then sent your most Holy Spirit to bear witness with my soul that being thirsty and hungry for a God of Love and mercy and grace, was mine to claim, as in faith I believed in the life death and resurrection of Jesus.

My Father who is in heaven blessed be your name.  Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
That does include the countries of Kenya, Tanzania and Zimbabwe where there is extreme poverty to lavish wealth and only those with knowledge make the decisions for the whole of the country.  That decisions are made in selfishness rather than for the good of the whole.
Make your will be done.  Give the very poor a sense of a God who rules the universe and is sovereign.  You set eternity in the hearts of mankind, be they rich or poor, make men thirsty for YOU.

You have given me a privilege to lose weight and I ask that you allow me the wisdom of frugal spending.  Bless the plans of my day (AT&T, xpereince, USPS, curves), give me guidance.  Keep me safe on the snowy streets.

I ask, in whole, for my nieces and nephews.  Draw them to you and make them thirsty for you and your will.  Help them make decisions that will be good for the rest of their lives, unlike me.

Thank you for the friendship of Cheryl and I thank you for their ability to purchase a home at this time.  I so want to have fun with her and help her move.

Keep my friend Mary safe and give her restored health and a measure of fulfillment in her job as nurse and wife and mother.

As I read the "fuel for prayer fires" I am overcome at the duties each one has, the purposeful ministry, and the many many responsibilities they have, along side the church leaders.  This was never so with TEAM. I was not allowed to do anything other than learn language, which I never did, and to work on the men's unit, as well as attend church and weekly TEAM get togethers that were never purposeful for me.  Just praying for themselves, not seeming to be aware that they did not work WITH the church and have goals with the church.  I admit I rebelled for lack of purpose and ministry and then took on Collen in my loneliness.  Lying about my one sided "relationship."

But you have forgiven me, thanks be to God I am forgiven.  It seems that I have not completely forgiven myself, but in small steps I have done so.
You dont lead us into temptation, you are there among us, when we are in the process of being lead and I must learn to call on You when temptations, no matter how small, come knocking at my door.
It can be as small as "needing" another box of smokes, buying food without a budget, saying a harsh word, swearing, a white lie, to eating too much.....  It doesn't matter to you the "degree" of temptation, it matters that I come to you.  You, oh Jesus, were tempted in ever principle, value that I am, that we as a family (as spread out as we now are) are, yet you never sinned.  I so want to be the woman who asks, what would Jesus do, given this same situation.

I bring Wendy Atkins before you in Congo working with the church, while she grieves the death of her mum so far away from family.  She works with the Zande people with the help and cooperation of the church leaders.  She 1) works with church leaders  develop strengthening programs with the Zande people  2) helps to develop workshops, courses in ethno arts, trauma healing, worldview issues, the gospel and transformational development.  I really have no idea what these mean, but I  know You do and I leave those issues of her work in your hands.   3) language learning.
Give to her your purpose, a love for the people, their land and culture and direction, as well as guidance each and every new day.  Let her supporters and family know, by the urging of your Spirit, when to pray mightily for her needs.

Help me, give me strength to throw away, throw off the need to smoke for I am your temple.

Leobah, Billie, Lizzie, Brighton..... if it is your will, I will see them when in Zimbabwe.  Dear Jesus, I wish to draw closer with those I left behind before I am in Zimbabwe.  Just a desire of mine.  

I come to you in prayer now and throughout the day, because you wish me to and as your child I can approach Your throne of grace and mercy.

Oh yes, I want to praise you for the relief of my darkness and depression, lack of energy and thank you that you have known and do know of this plaque.