January 7th, 2001

Dear God,

I'm not very happy right now.  It's hard having T.B. here. She's really cool... she has nice clothes, seems to live on a higher level.  Help me to treat her as You would 'cause that to be my motivation, ahh! I'm not happy... that sounds so little kid piousness. Help me to get my eyes on You.  help me today God!

In Jesus' name Amen!
-Marie

January 6th, 2001

Dear God,

Good morning! T.B.'s here! Thanx for leading her here! It's awesome how you did it. Bless her. Help me not to feel uncomfortable around her.  She's really pretty and I sense a nice spirit.  She said something about it being good to have the change, as if she needs to get away from something or somebody.  She's a "mystery"  to me. I barely know her yet.

I hope I get to be good friends with her for the right reasons.  Help us to be really nice to her and make her feel like one of us, Jesus... it's neat you know all about her and we don't.  Kinda weird.

Love ya,
In Jesus' name Amen.
Marie

January 4th, 2001

Dear God,

Today, this evening we worked on T.B.'s room. It's really cute.  It will be nice when she gets here.  I love You God. Thanx for today, it was a good day.  You've answered prayers for me today,  Thanx. 

Good night, in Jesus' name amen.

-Marie

January 3rd, 2001

Dear God,

I'm kinda scared... getting back into Bible School. I had a hard time the last few weeks I was here. I love You.  T.B.  a new student is coming Friday night! Oh my!  Humm... going to be interesting. We've been speculating about her already...   Be neat. I'm scared some about her.  I hope I don't feel stupid around her.

I feel scared of You too, Holy Spirit.  Because of what happened last semseter, with feeling like I had to get rid of lots of stuff... it was awful!  Bring me back into relationship with you... I am self reightous... good night, I don't have to analyze myself tonight. :)

I love You God,
In your name Jesus,
Amen!
-Marie

Matt and I got back to FBI tonight around 9:35, about a 10 hour trip from VA.  We left home around 10:30, we were shooting for 8:00... you see what happened 2 and half hours later... It was fine we were this late!

January 2nd, 2001

HAPPY NEW YEAR! & NEW MILLENNIUM!

Man we have no water!  We got home last night from the year end thing in Penn.  This morning I guess something burst-maybe to do with the washing machine... now we don't have water. Hum (?)

T's comign to Bible School not later than Feb. 1st! Thanx God. :)  

Dear God,

"Help my heart to be where your heart is."  I want to work with kids Jesus... orphans... maybe in Russia...

Thy will be done. Jesus, in your name-Amen!

December 27th, 2000

Dear God,

Hum... *sigh* Life... I'm always trying to impress people, copy people. Do things other people's ways... I want to do things my way... think for myself... I'm always SOOOO influenced. Help me God please!  I'm a people pleaser, I know!

Help me with bondage too God!  It seems it is stubbornness though... I confuse myself...

Good night,
Love ya,
In Jesus' name
Amen

Marie

December 25th, 2000

"MERRY CHRISTMAS!"

Dear God,

Thanx for everything good you've brought my way on Christmas break. It really helped to talk to Dad... and Mom about what I felt you wanted me to do. It's a weakness I have.  You seem really good.

"I see a God altogether lovely."  From something an autistic child wrote. I do want to be close to You. I've learned you care more about our heart and our motives than our outside looks and what we wear.  Man is interested in legalism and being religious just for the sake of being religious.  Thanx for helping me to get a more balanced outlook.  What I went through was awful!  

Thanx God fro the nice time at Uncle Vic's and Aunt Nancy's-the best time we've ever had at their house-at least the best time I've ever had there.  

I love you God. I commit this next year into your hands.  I know there will be times I'll be tempted to compromise and do the easy way or drop out.  

Thanx for reminders that you are a loving and good God.  Happy Birthday Jesus. Love you guys,

                                                                                                                       Marie

In Jesus' name amen.

December 20th, 2000

Right now I'm at home in Virginia.  It's been okay. Yesterday was Adam's birthday. He turned 15.  I went outside, afterdark, with him and we went sledding, made snow angels, threw snow at each other. We were about to go inside when I heard Dad and Matt coming home in the van.  So Adam and I scampered off and hid behind a tree.  When Matt and Dad were walking toward the house I screamed and Adam and I went after them. Adam threw a snowball at them.  It was fun.

Adam watched a movie for his bday (we obviously watched it with him, cept mom.)  It was "chicken run."  It was cute.  I haven't had my talk yet with Dad.

Tonight Matt and I are going to Mom and Dad's foster care classes so that we can get interviewed.  The Foster care people have to interview the kids that take up residence with the "Foster Parents" to be.

On Sun. we went to a living nativity thing and the D-'s were there.  They want to adopt kids from China!  Hopefully we'll adopt another kid or two.  We also heard that in 3 years if the Karen poeple don't get out the government is planning on liquidating all of 'em-that would be neat to adopt Karen kids-there's tons of orphans over there.  I'll write later, Chow! [wow, the spelling of this word is soo wrong and totally cracks me up!]

                                                                                                         -Marie

Proverbs 20:24

A man's steps are of the Lord; how then can a man understand his own way?

YAHOO!  I don't have to worry about my future!  God WILL GET ME THERE!

v. 27  The Spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord, searching all the inner depths of his heart. <3