First Show!

Hey guys!

We had our first performance last night! It was a show at Belhaven College, and it involved many different dance companies from around Jackson. I know, I know, it doesn't seem like there'd be that many, but there was quite a group of people there.

The audience was good...the stage was SLIPPERY....technically, we did okay, not stellar. The unity was really good, but the overall technical aspect was not our best. It was a hard situation, because we didn't get to rehearse before hand, and our director changed a few things right before the show, which is always difficult. Anyway, despite that, it was an awesome experience. The girls on stage were SO worshipful, and as we each took our turn in the wings, it was really cool to see all the dancers just raising their hands and praying for the girls that were dancing. You'd have to see it, it's hard to describe....but we literally danced as one. We shared in concern for each others mistakes, and in the joy of their triumphs. It was awesome. I love dancing with those girls! Each one is so unique, but together we dance as one for Jesus.

Here are some pictures:

Me and Dani!!!



Our whole company!

If you've got a good thing....share it!

Hey y'all! Sorry I haven't written in a while...it's been a LONG week.

Our first performance is tomorrow! I'm so, so excited! The Lord has given me a lot of joy and peace about it...so that's good. I'm most excited about sharing Jesus with people! I love him so much....I feel like I might explode if I can't talk about him!

This morning at work, I was talking to my friend Liz. She's a sweetie, but has had a sad life. She was in alcohol rehab, and just recently got out, and now she works in the mornings with me. Anyway, today she goes, "Julie, you dance everyday right?"

"Yeah."

"And you work every morning, and all day Saturday, right?"

"Yup."

"And you're HAPPY???!??!"

"Yeah!"

"Why? What makes you so happy."

"Well Liz, to be honest with you, it's all the Lord. (Okay, this was cool, because it wasn't me speaking, it was the Spirit). He gives me strength for each day. Somedays, I go to bed thinking that I will never have the strength to make it through the next day, but somehow, every morning, I have the grace to get up and go about my day. It's all thanks to Jesus. He is my strength."

"Wow....cool....(silence)...Julie, you're my hero."

"Really? Thanks....but it's not me....Jesus is my hero."


PRAISE THE LORD! It was such a little thing...she's not saved, she didn't break down and repent....but the wheel was set in motion. I am praying that the Lord will give me more opportunities to share him.

You know, no matter where you live, opportunities like that are all around. The thing that I've discovered is that you have to open your eyes and LOOK! It helps to just ask the Lord to make you sensitive to those opportunites, every day. He is so awesome! It's not hard to share about him.....just let your love for him spill over....he takes care of the rest.

One last thing. Life is hard. Come Lord Jesus, come! I would be SO happy if he would come back and take us all....I want to see him soon!

-Julie

Harriet Tubman

I love Harriet Tubman. She is such an awesome lady. So strong....so courageous. One of my favorite quotes by her is the following...

"Jesus, I'm holding onto you, because you're the only one who can see me through." Amen?

It's funny....I realized the other day that my life means nothing without Christ....the world would not define my life as successful. I'm dancing full time with a Christian ballet company....I'm not in any dance magazines, I'm not in New York, I'm not making any money. I'm not going to college to learn how to become successful...I'm a little girl in Mississippi, working hard, dancing harder....all because God told me to. No plan or map of the future....one hand raised high toward heaven, the other one clinging tightly to my Bible. Here I am. Thank you Jesus! I wouldn't have it any other way.

So..."Jesus, I'm holding onto you, because you're the only one who can see me through."

-Julie

Free

My friend Laura Hawkins recently sent me a devotional book by Sarah Young titled "Jesus Calling"....it is absolutely phenomenal. The book is a collection of words that Jesus spoke to her heart. It is written like a journal, and Jesus is the writer. Of course, it's not scripture, but it's a really neat concept, and today's entry was beautiful....so I thought I'd share it with all of you.

"Walk with me in the freedom of forgiveness. The path we follow together is sometimes slippery and steep. If you carry a burden of guilt on your back, you are more likely to stumble and fall. At your request, I will remove the heavy load from you and bury it at the foot of the cross. When I unburden you, you are undeniably free! Stand up straight and tall in My Presence, so that no one can place more burdens on your back. Look into My Face and feel the warmth of My Love-Light shining upon you. It is the unconditional Love that frees you from both fears and sins. Spend time basking in the Light of My Presence. As you come to know Me more intimately, you grow increasingly free."

Mmmhhhmmm....thank you Lord Jesus. I am free in you.

-Julie

The INTENSE love of Jesus

Today at B. Mag we had creative worship...and we watched this skit. It moved me so much I sobbed. The love of Jesus is SO intense. Take the time to watch this, you won't be disappointed. I wish everyone in the world could see this, it's THAT powerful.

Lifehouse Skit

How amazing is that love? How can I possibly love anyone or anything as much as Jesus? He took my pain, and my sin upon himself. He loved me and you SO much, that he couldn't bare to see us under sin....so he threw himself into the midst of our struggle...even to death on a cross.

Hallelujah! He didn't stay dead, he rose again, another act of love, to conquer death so that we can live with him forever.

That's the kind of love I want to live for.

Blah.

In Jesus name we press on....

Well y'all, today is just "one of those days"....pretty blah. Nothing too exciting, or sad or anything....just boring really.

One of my friends (Amy) cut her hand open REAL bad at work today (she works with me at the bagel shop)....she had to have stitches, and she cut into some of the nerves (which means she needs to see a specialist to sew her nerves back together.) Ouch! Thanks for your prayers....I'm finally learning NOT to cut my hands....but I fully believe that it is your prayers and God's grace that caused me not to be in the same situation as Amy. If you don't mind, send up a prayer for her right now, it's not fun to have to go to the hospital when you're so far from home!

It's easy sometimes to just go through the motions of life, instead of really living. I caught myself doing that today....I wasn't thinking or feeling anything....I was just going through the motions of work, dance, devotions....like a robot. I'm not TOO worried...this happens to me on a consistent basis.....I think it's part of life (at least part of mine).

This morning at B. Mag devotions, Lydia read something in the Screwtape letters that was REALLY encouraging.

"But you now see that the Irresistible and the Indisputable are the two weapons which the very nature of His scheme forbids Him to use. Merely to over-ride a human will (as His felt presence in any but the faintest and most mitigated degree would certainly do) would be for Him useless. He cannot ravish. He can only woo. For His ignoble idea is to eat the cake and have it; the creatures are to be one with Him, but yet themselves; merely to cancel them, or assimilate them, will not serve. He is prepared to do a little overriding at the beginning. He will set them off with communications of His presence which, though faint, seem great to them, with emotional sweetness, and easy conquest over temptation. But He never allows this state of affairs to last long. Sooner or later He withdraws, if not in fact, at least from their conscious experience, all those supports and incentives. He leaves the creature to stand up on its own legs—to carry out from the will alone duties which have lost all relish. It is during such trough periods, much more than during the peak periods, that it is growing into the sort of creature He wants it to be. Hence the prayers offered in the state of dryness are those which please Him best. We can drag our patients along by continual tempting, because we design them only for the table, and the more their will is interfered with the better. He cannot "tempt" to virtue as we do to vice. He wants them to learn to walk and must therefore take away His hand; and if only the will to walk is really there He is pleased even with their stumbles. Do not be deceived, Wormwood. Our cause is never more in danger, than when a human, no longer desiring, but intending, to do our Enemy's will, looks round upon a universe from which every trace of Him seems to have vanished, and asks why he has been forsaken, and still obeys."

Amen?? Here I am, having a blah sort of day. God doesn't seem very close....but yet I know he is. I have a choice, I can be frustrated that he seems far away...and ignore him...or I can still obey.

Our father in heaven....my father on earth.

How is it that God loves us SO much?

I am constantly amazed by that fact. He loves ME. The God that created the universe loves ME! He calls me his....he speaks to me....he showers me with blessings...he carries me though storms....how can this be??

I love the Lord. My feeble attempts at loving him are nothing compared to his great love...but I know that he loves to receive my love. How do I know that? Because that's how my earthly father is. He loves me SO, SO much more then I deserve. I try to do what he asks....I try to love him with my words and my deeds....but it is nothing compared to the sacrificial love he has for me.

I just want to take this opportunity to brag about my wonderful dad. He is awesome. He is so strong, so loving, so wise, so kind.....he has been, and continues to be an AMAZING reflection of my heavenly father. He encourages me and loves me....when I don't deserve it at all. He is always looking out for my best interests, and he is ready to defend and protect me from anything that could harm me. He is awesome. I miss him A LOT. I haven't always understood his love....I've taken it for granted....I've belittled it....I hate to admit it, but sometimes I've even trampled on it. But it's still there. No matter what I do, or what I say, he still loves me....and he always will. What an awesome man.

When I was a little girl, my dad used to drive me to ballet class....we had to drive from Albion to Jackson, and we always had the BEST talks. I miss those. I'm now an "adult" and I drive myself to dance....but I miss the days when I was just safely in the back seat...talking with Dad.

It's cool how God has filled that void....now I talk with God to and from ballet...and it's that same safe, loved feeling that I got talking with Dad so many years ago.

What's even more amazing....is that as much as my dad loves me, and would go to the ends of the earth for me....God loves me EVEN MORE. How amazing is that? Wow. How can I not follow his plan for my life?? How can I not listen to his commands? He wants the VERY BEST for me. He's not playing games, he really, truly wants the best for me. I am in awe of that kind of love.

Thank you Lord for your amazing, sweet, awesome, powerful love....I'm trying my hardest to love you back. You know what's funny? I need your help to love you. I am too weak to even love you on my own....Please fill me with your love Lord, so that I can give it back to you, and to those around me.

Back in MS

Hey all! I'm back in MS. I had an absolutely WONDERFUL time in Chicago! I treasured every moment with Jeremy and Kelley....they are such amazing people. I got to see a lot of Chicago (though there's lots left....guess I'll have to visit again). I got to Chicago Saturday morning....toured Moody...watched Jeremy play football....walked around Chicago (Millennium Park, the Celtic Festival and the Chicago Tribune building were some highlights)....got to meet Kelley and Jeremy's roommates and friends....went out on the town with Jeremy Saturday night...Sunday morning devotions with Jeremy.....rode the "L" (I wish we had one of those here, it was SO much fun!)....went to church....rested and "watched" the Bears game....went to Greek town for dinner with Jeremy, Kelley and Kelley's brother floor....and then had a sad, but sweet goodbye at the train station. The whole trip was so, so good. It was such a gift....God gets the glory. I cannot stop thanking him for his goodness.


Here are some pictures:





"Hello" at the train station


Me, and two of the best, most amazing people ever




Some DELICIOUS Chicago deep dish pizza!



Pictures at "the bean":












I heart Kelley Reeves


Me...and this pretty cool guy I know....;-)

Off for the weekend!

Hey guys!

I won't be posting anything this weekend....I'm off to Chicago! I'm going to go visit Jeremy and Kelley. Words cannot describe my excitement and joy at seeing them again....it's been a while! Please pray for safe travel to and from, and that the Lord would bless our time together.

Love you all!
-Julie

Living the Word

So today in Discipleship class, Nissa Sanford talked on being a minister. I'm not talking about being a pastor, or a teacher, or any other kind of professional Christian. (Though that is an awesome calling, and one that I respect very much.) She was talking about being "ministers of the Word" and what that means. What she said was TOTALLY different from what I was thinking...but it opened my eyes.

In Acts 6:4 when it talks about the apostles devoting themselves to the "ministry of the Word and to prayer" the greek word for ministry is Diakonos-"to wait on or serve."

What does it mean to "serve or wait on" the Word?

Well, from my restaurant job I know that as a server, you ask what the customer wants and then you give it to them....no matter what. So, it stands to reason that if we are to be devoted to the "ministry of the Word" then we should always be ready to give the Word whatever it asks for, without question.

Okay, cool you say....but what exactly is "the Word" and why is it worthy of our service?

The Word is just that....the words of God himself. Through human hands, God wrote down everything we need to know about life, salvation and serving Him. 2 Timothy 3:16 says, "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work."

Matthew 24:35, "Heaven and earth will pass away but my words will not pass away."

So the Words of God, written in scripture, are the direct result of God's divine inspiration, and they are eternal, just as God himself is eternal.

That is why the Word is worthy of our respect, honor and devotion....because it shows us the spirit, promises and intentions of God almighty. The Word is a product of the Lord, and thus reveals him to us in a way that nothing else can. Therefore, we must obey it FULLY.

Why should we be lovers of the Word?

1. As I said, it is a revelation from God, and should be respected as such.

2. It is to our benefit. Hebrews 4:12 tells us that "The Word of the Lord is sharper then any two-edged sword, it penetrates to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow, it judges the thoughts and the intentions of the heart." Reading the Word shows us how to live as Christians. It is also a tool for discernment. You know those times when you're not sure whether a thought is from the Lord, yourself or the enemy? That's what the Word is for. When we read the Word, we can see the difference between soul (ourselves) and Spirit (God). Not only does the Word benefit us mentally and emotionally....it is physical as well. Deuteronomy 8:3/Matthew 4:4 tell us that "Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord." This, and other examples, go to show that the Word benefits us physically. That is why it is SO powerful to pray scripture back to the Lord in cases of physical ailment. Those words are life, and truth, and our bodies respond to that.

Okay, so now we know WHY the Word is so important....and what it does for us, now it's time to live it.

"Let us rise up to the Word of God, rather then dragging it down according to our own personal experience." Michael Pearl

That is an awesome quote. I know that there are times when I try to justify living outside of the Word because I "don't see things that way", or my "personality is different". NO. No, no no. That's wrong. The Word is God's outline for my life. I don't get to chose parts of it to live out...and I don't get to leave parts out. It is all or nothing.

So what do you think? Will you do it with me? Come on guys, let's LIVE THE WORD. Let's stop "trying" and just do it. Sure, we'll mess up....that's expected, but why set low expectations? Let's try to live out the Word in every area and see what happens. I have the feeling that God will be honored through our failed attempts. But if we sit back and say, "that's too much change....I'll work on one thing at a time....let me get this straightened out first." NO! Stop being deceived. Let's live this out, let's dive in head first! Go for it, you may be suprised how well it goes.

James 1:22-25 "But be doers of the Word and not merely hearers, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like."

-Julie

P.S. One last thing....my homework for this week in Discipleship class is to share Jesus with a non believer. Honestly, that scares me to death. I'm excited, but SO nervous! It's hard because I only have one week....but hey, there are PLENTY of non Christians around me...I just have to be sensitive for the opportunity from the Lord to arise. I could use prayer on that. Oh, my hip is still pretty bad. I got some stretches/strengthening excercise from my teacher that should help, but today was painful. Please continue to lift that up in prayer. One thing my teacher said was, "if Satan can't get your mind or your heart, he's going to go after your body. That's just the way it is in ministry. When you decided to do this, you signed up to be in the front line of the battle....you're a target." How true! I covet your prayers.

Prayer Request

Hey all!

I have to go to work....we had a half day at dance....which was a REALLY good thing. I crunched my lower back in my first class (for those of you that know dancer talk, we were doing medium allegro, and at the end I accidentally hit the back of my head in sissone arabesque, which bent my spine too far, and must have pinched something....the blessing/curse of having such a flexible spine). Anyway because I am SUPER stubborn, I took the rest of that class and the second class....instead of sitting out...which I should have. Anyway, it KILLS....and I have to work now (I already went in this morning....but they need me again, so I'm going back until 9ish). Not to mention, after not taking pointe for 3 months, my feet are really soft, and are bleeding like crazy. Ugh.

Other then that though, the day has been wonderful. I really enjoyed both classes (despite the pain), and work this morning was wonderful. I got up early enough to spend a few minutes with Jesus before work, and then I just chatted with him during my shift. It was so wonderful. My thoughts today have been so focused on Jesus. Thank you all for your prayers....I feel their effects.

Today at B. Mag devotions we talked about John 13. That's where Jesus washes his disciples feet. Of all people, dancers know how DISGUSTING feet can be....and the fact that our precious Lord Jesus....our savior and king would do that is awe inspiring. If someone perfect and righteous in every way, with every reason to boast, would, in complete humility, wash twelve pairs of disgusting feet....then shouldn't I as well? Maybe literally, maybe figuratively. What have I done today to "wash the feet" of those I love? What have I done to "wash the feet" of those I pass at work and at dance? How can I show love, humility and leadership all at the same time to those around me? That is my goal. I'm going to start looking for ways to "wash the feet" of others.

An inside look at *girls night*

Hey all!

Sorry...it's been a few days....and it's been REALLY busy. I love writing to you guys, but for the last few days, it's been a choice between devos and blog....so of course devotions take preference.

Let's see, what's happened. Hmm...well, I pretty much partied all weekend (and by party I totally mean the kind with a bunch of 18-25 year old girls in pajamas eating pizza and ice cream....) I've been making lots and lots of new friends this week! With the "official" first week of ballet over, I've met a lot of girls, and gotten to know a hand full of them fairly well. I've also been getting to know the girls that go to my church. I LOVE THEM! These girls are SO awesome! We had a girls night last night (as referenced earlier)....it was phenomenal. I really enjoyed it. We watched one of my all time favorite movies....can you guess? Pride and Prejudice. It's so weird watching girly movies here. At home we NEVER watch chick flicks or romance films.....I'm not exaggerating. My family is much more into Star Trek, Lord of the Rings and Star Wars. While there's nothing wrong with those movies (and I really do enjoy them occasionally)....it's been fun to watch some other movies.

One thing I've noticed about girls at this post highschool (or college) age, is that they are VERY interested in marriage. Don't hear me wrong, I'm not talking about being boy crazy...I'm talking about commitment. Unlike the Hollywood version of love, these girls are all starting to get to an age where they want to find "the one"....be swept off their feet, and start their own families. They're done with having little crushes, first dates and flings. They want the real deal. It's a neat thing to watch. Most of the girls that I know are very godly women, and they are all about waiting for God to bring about the right man....which is good. They know that they want to be pursued, loved and cared for for the rest of their lives. They know what their standards are, and are willing to wait for that "Mr. Right".


HOWEVER


There still seems to be something wrong with this approach. Don't get me wrong, the ideas about love and marriage that they have are all right...they just go about them in the wrong way. In my opinion, they concentrate on waiting way too much. Let me explain. Their focus is on "surviving in the single years" instead of "thriving in the single years." They spend lots of time thinking about marriage, praying about marriage, talking about marriage, reading about marriage ect...when all that energy should be focused on the Lord. In essence, they focus too much on the waiting itself, rather then on what they can be doing while they wait. I don't blame these girls for wanting to be in a godly marriage....that's God's design for men and women. From the beginning of time, the Lord has brought amazing christian men and women together in the bonds of holy matrimony. It is a beautiful, righteous, amazing thing to have (those of you that are married should consider yourselves VERY blessed.) However, the single years of your life should not be looked at as the "pre-marriage" years. Being single and serving the Lord in that capacity should be the focus of the unmarried. Then, when the Lord brings that special person into your life, you won't have wasted years of your life pining away. Sometimes I think that the unmarried worry that they'll miss "the one" if they're "too focused" on God. It's not a competition. A godly relationship and a focus on the Lord go hand in hand.

So, in essence, don't just stand around waiting for God to give you a marriage....see what adventures God wants to take you on...before it's time to add a third to the party.

Prayer in action!

Okay, so if any of you doubt that prayer works....let me tell you, it does.

(For background, read yesterday's blog)

So yesterday, I was feeling kind of under the weather. You know the feeling....sore throat, headache, runny nose....the usual cold symptoms. Well, I went to bed last night, and was hoping that I'd wake up feeling beter. I didn't. I woke up at around 3 a.m. with an INCREDIBLY sore throat, and a terrible headache...not good. I knew that I couldn't make it through today being sick. The days here are just too long and too tiring for me to be able to handle them with anything less then being 100% healthy. Not to mention that we had to learn a couple of new pieces...which require a clear head to learn. Anyway, I just sat on my bed, and begged the Lord to heal me. Most of the time, I pray like that, but I don't REALLY believe that he'll do it. Well, this time was different. I knew God would heal me if I asked him. So, I went back to bed, and woke up at 5 pain free....I mean really people, PAIN FREE. No sore throat, no headache...nothing. It was amazing. As soon as I awoke I had to praise the Lord for his mercy and kindess toward me. Now, I don't want to say that it was my prayers that made this happen....because that would be totally wrong. It was all of you as well. I know that many of you pray for me daily, and I know that it was your prayers that brought this about. So thank you! I feel kind of funny sharing this....because it sounds overly dramatic....but it's real. The reason I share is because I want to share the victory with you!

One quick side note: This is for those of you that care about ballet. The rest of you can stop reading now. I got cast in a demi-soloist role for our new ballet, "Unveiled Hope". The ballet is done to music by Michael Card, and it details the story of Revelation. I absolutely LOVE it! I love the roles I'm cast in....I love the style (it's classical steps, with very emotion filled arms and heads....which is totally my thing). Not that parts mean a WHOLE lot...but it's fun to be cast in a role you like!

-Julie

First few days!

Well, we officially started!

I'm back at it. It's been really, really good. I've been reminded these last few days WHY I love to dance so much. Even more then that, I'm reminded of why I love Jesus. I love him, because no matter what I do, he's still with me. That's not to say that I should trod on his goodness and grace...to the contrary, I should do everything I can to please him! But at the end of the day, I am still a sinner. Like today, I tried to go a whole day without sinning.....didn't work. I didn't do anything terrible, just little things. Yet, it was still sin. How is it that Jesus loves me despite all that?!?! He loves my wandering heart that so often strays from him....to be distracted by other things. That is the biggest thing I'm afraid of this year. I DO NOT want ballet to take away from Jesus. I want to be good at ballet, I want to do well, I want to improve...but it cannot, and will not be my idol. It hasn't happened yet, but I see it on the horizon, and so I'm preparing my ship for the storm.

Please pray for me. I'm getting sick. Those of you that know me probably aren't suprised! It's nothing terrible, just a sore throat/headache/ect. but it makes my already difficult days almost unbearable. I don't want my miserable body to cause me to have a bad or even apathetic attitude toward God. No good.

Love you all! I'll write more later.

-Julie

Happy Labor Day!

Happy Labor Day!

I had a nice morning....I celebrated Labor day with....labor! I worked from 6-2:30...and now I'm just relaxing before the evening festivities. My roomates and some people from my church are having a cook out/picnic....which should be fun! It's raining right now though....hmmmm....oh well....as my darling mother loves to say, "I'm not made of sugar...I won't melt!"

In response to those who are worried about the weather. Don't worry! The newest tropical storm (it may be a hurricane by now) is not looking like it's going to reach us. Even if a hurricane does come my way....I have a friend who controls the weather! Nothing can hurt me unless he allows it.

Ballet starts tomorrow! I am SO excited! Just to be dancing again....it's been a while! I've gone to class sporadically over the past three months....but it's no substitute for every day ballet class.


I'm so excited about our Christmas show! For those that haven't heard, B. Mag is doing it's second annual production of "A Christmas Dream"....it's the music of the Nutcracker with a new storyline:

Kathy, a young girl in the old south, recieves a Bible at her parents annual Christmas party from her beloved grandfather. As the party winds down, Kathy begins to read, and falls into a deep sleep. In her dream, she sees the book of Revelation acted out.

Beelzebub and his legion of demons/flies battle with Michael, the arch angel, and his army of angels...the battle ends with Beelzebub being defeated, and Michael and the angels welcome Kathy into the Kingdom of Heaven. In heaven, Kathy finally gets to meet Jesus.

The second act is a beautiful display of cultures, as the nations of the earth gather to dance before the throne of Jesus. The very end of the ballet reveals that Kathy is a symbol of the church, and finishes with the marriage of Christ and the Church...a perfect picture of true love.

Anyway, my little description of "A Christmas Dream" doesn't nearly do the ballet justice....I guess you'll just have to come watch! I'm really excited, because several of my regulars at the bagel shop are planning to come watch! I don't think they're Christians...but they've seen the Nutcracker and are curious about the new take that B. Mag has on it. I can't wait!

I'm in love

Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
the LORD bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
from those whose walk is blameless.
O LORD Almighty,
blessed is the man who trusts in you.
Psalm 84:10-12

As wonderful as my life is....as much as I love the people on this earth...I have to be honest with you guys....my soul yearns for heaven. Just to be with Jesus, to sit at his feet, to bow before him in total awe of his holiness. It overwhelms me! How amazing will it be when our only concern is praising Jesus? No tears, no pain, no war, no sin. Only Jesus, sweet, sweet Jesus. I am so in love with him. As each day passes, my desire for him grows. One day my beloved will come and call me home, I cannot wait for that day. He is my first love, my precious savior, my best friend. The more I love him, the more I desire to be like him. It's funny, as my desire to know Jesus becomes stronger, my desire for sin lessens. I'm certainly not perfect, but the more time I spend with the Lord, the less time I have for sin. As I get to know Jesus more and more, he's constantly on my mind. I want his opinion on everything....I ask him so many things, from the silly to the serious. When I think of how this incredible love is changing me, I am reminded of these words "turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in his wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace."

I am so jealous of those that are going to see Jesus right now! As I write, many saints across the globe are finishing the journey of this life....and moving onto the next. How I wish that I was one of them! Yet I know that my work here on earth is not finished yet....and because of that I am content to stay. But as soon as Jesus is done with me, I want to go home. I don't want to tarry.

Come Lord Jesus, come. I am ready to go as soon as you're ready to have me.

Love,
Julie