So lately it seems like it takes forever to know where I will end up in Russia as I wait on a few people to call me back. Russians take longer then Americans and I realize that. I'm not super time oriented either. Though I do like knowing things so I can plan ahead and have a long term plan. Though constantly through this all I'm always reminded that no matter what your plans are the Lord will direct your steps. Who knows I might not make it to Russia in Januaray 2010. I will tell you this though that God keeps some people in some places for a reason. When my time comes it will come. I've waited 9 years already. Though on the positive side there are a few really cool things that have happened to me while God has kept me here. Here are just a few:

1. I was able to work with a kid that had no father in his life through elementary and middle school and mentor him through those years. It's really amazing that his father finally got out of jail this fall finally! Though he is doing pretty well so far.
2. I was able to get training in a lot of areas that will be useful when I get there.
3. I learned a lot of crazy lessons the hard way (e.g.
A. When I pray God always answers things in his way (I prayed that he would help me get rid of a few things and my house started flooding the next day. Eventually things were getting destroyed by water and I had to get rid of a ton.)
4. I know that I wasn't fully ready for the missions field when I wanted to go awhile ago and God has been molding my heart in so many different ways after I wanted to be mad at God in someways for having the best gf that I ever dated break up with me. Though I knew that it wasn't good to be mad at God and it's best to pray about everything. So from there I started praying a ton more like crazy and things like my house flooded, someone in my immediate family died, my grandpa died, and so much more then I could ever imagine. I wanted to be discouraged about a lot of that but prayer and friends really help. Especially some of my bffs. I also think that God had a bunch of certain things happen to me so I could realize what certain things were like in certain situations. He also brought other people into my life that I was able to share a ton when they we're going through some of the same situations.
5. I was able to improve on my Russian more and more everyday.
6. I will be able to get all of my loans and everything paied in full by December 2010. So if anything happens money won't be holding me back. That also means that where ever God wants me I can truely go and money doesn't matter. Just give me food, shelter, water, and a ministry where I can change young adults and teens lives and I'm there.
7. With everything that has happened to me God has been bringing my heart more and more back to where it was before Feburary 2007. I absolutly love working with people and helping them through their problems, teaching them more about God, working with the homeless and so much more. I truely missed that after not working for a mission where I counseled troubled kids in the foster care and adoption system. One of the most amazing jobs in the world!!! If you're not mentoring a kid think about it. They will change your life more then you ever imagined too!!! Anyways there is so much more, but I better get going to bed. If anything from this post pray for my friend Alex that I just finished talking to for over an hour. He really needs prayer about certain things!!!