The tree

My best friend from college recently asked me to paint a picture of a tree for her boyfriend.  All she told me is that she wanted it to be an oak tree because of Isaiah 61:3 which is special to the two of them.  

Isaiah 61 is incredible.  It's about God taking the broken down and oppressed and making them stunning examples of his glory.  In verse three he says, "They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor."  This definitely intimidated me since I had the responsibility of portraying such a powerful message. But, I was pumped to have the opportunity of trying.  I hope that God blessed it so that when they look at it they can sense the Lord's love and future glory for his hurting children.

Horrible News

This is shocking.  I just heard about a gang of armed men who ravaged a small suburban neighborhood in New York.  They marched house to house and demanded that every family give up the children.  By the end, they had kidnapped 90 kids.  Some were killed, others were tortured.  The ones who managed to stay alive were meant to be assimilated into this new "family."  I'm heartbroken.  How does this make you feel?  What if these were your kids?  

Well, that didn't actually happen here.  It happened in Congo.  The LRA, a rebel group, abducted two classrooms full of 5th and 6th graders.  What happens to them now?  They will be brainwashed, tortured, raped, taught and made to kill.  Will they be rescued?  Possibly not.  Who would care enough?  It won't be the government, that's for sure.

Are you relieved that it didn't happen in New York?  Would you be willing to suspend that relief and give your burdened heart to these kids in prayer and action?  This is such a normal occurrence in many countries in Africa.  In northern Uganda children were stolen and made to kill for 20 years before anyone took notice.

President Bush is meeting with the president of Uganda this week to discuss the crisis.  Click here for an easy way to tell the president our concerns.  

Please realize that prayer is the most powerful weapon we have.  We have been given authority over the angels and demons.  Our prayers are instrumental in the spiritual battle constantly in action.  Please take an erasable marker and write Congo, Uganda, and Sudan on your bathroom mirror to remind you to pray regularly.  Go here to learn more so you know better how to pray.

J&B

This wedding was very special.  After witnessing their big day, I can definitely say with confidence that this is a well-loved couple.  We were blessed to be a part of the celebration!  Check out their gallery for more photos.

Belly Imai

I photographed the cutest, most well-behaved belly last week. I can't decide if the precious belly looks more like its mommy or daddy. We'll have to wait a couple more weeks I suppose.

Rob and Uganda

At this moment, Rob is off in dreamyland. It's 2:08 am over in Gulu, Uganda.

I have to admit, the thought of Rob taking this trip made me pretty nervous a couple months ago. However, God has definitely given me much peace over the last couple of weeks. I'm happy to say that when I dropped him off at the airport, I wasn't scared at all. But, don't get me wrong, I definitely have triple the reason to be in constant prayer.

As I drove away from LAX on Saturday morning, it was a cloudy morning with one break in the clouds. The sun's rays were peaking through making stunning upwards lines. I knew God was using it to give me peace. It stayed like that for quite a while, and then I noticed a plane fly through that sun-drenched opening.

God told me that's how he's going to bring him home. In his presence and with his glory. What a homecoming!

Please be praying for Rob during these next two weeks and the following months. Health, safety, open eyes, an open heart, opportunity, favor, understanding, and an experience of God like he's never known before.