Life so far...

Hey guys,

So I've made it out here to Utah and wanted to thank you for the prayers for my travel safeties! I want to let you all know that the internet is only available to me about once a week right now, but I am doing the best I can to get the updates to you!

I am living with an emty-nester 50-something couple, (Ken and Marcia) who have been so welcoming to me. I have been getting to know them better the past few days, and am now being referred to as "Jillybean" by them, so you could easily say that the living situation has been "great." Last night they took me up to the Canyons along with some of their family and friends for a BBQ, and has been one of the highlights with them so far. Ken is a pastor at a local church, Midvalley Bible.

The work situation has been interesting, but I see good potential with the relationships there, and my patience is already being stretched =) The position I have is a teacher's aide, working with 7th and 8th grade students (with behavioral disorders). The class is 11 boys with either ADD, ADHD, or have been abused in some form. So like I said, the patience is being tuned up! Both the teacher of the class and one of the behavioral specialists are L.D.S., and because of my relations with them, I have been able to understand the L.D.S. culture on a daily basis, and definitely on a different level than I knew before.

The other part-time job is working at a wellness center in Salt Lake. I will be doing front desk work there, and the girl I am working with is L.D.S also. I start training with her tomorrow, so you can pray for that relationship as well!

I still don't know exactly what is in store for me here, but the first night I arrived, I was greeted at T.G.I. Friday's by Cat (who I'll be living with), Heidi and Daniel. I came to find out that Cat, Heidi, Daniel, my other friend Bethany, and myself all moved out here to Utah within the same 4 weeks, and at the time did not know of each other's plans. I came to find out that we all have been feeling this draw for the past 3-4 years. Do you think this timing has anything to do with coincidence? I don't think so. God has some plans going on for sure! You are just as much a part of this work for the kingdom by praying for me! Keep that in mind! I need it!

You can email me at jrlewie85@yahoo.com

Love you all so much!

Jill

Prayer Requests:

Physical Health
Building relationships with co-workers
To be Spirit-filled on a daily basis

Moving to Utah

Hello dear friends and family,

It is exciting that the Lord has been strengthening my body from Lyme over the past two years of being at home. Thank you for all the support you have given me through PRAYER, cards, hugs, and simple words of encouragement that got me through. My heart could not be more grateful of how far I have improved to even have the opportunity to be out on my own. There was a day when I did not know if that was ever going to be in the future for me! Thank you Lord!

As many of you know, I am moving to Utah this friday. Many of you may not be surprised for the fact that you know I went on a mission trip there in 2005. God clearly used a scripture (with his timing) to direct me to go on that trip. Since that trip, I have been struggling through this ongoing health trial, especially the past two years of being at home. But throughout those hard times, in different ways, God was STILL confirming direction for me to this land (and has twice used that same scripture in his timing as part of his direction!)

Although this seems like a quick move, the specific prayers of moving out there started after my trip to Idaho/Utah early June this year while visiting Andrew's family. And this culture has been on my heart ever since the trip in 2005, and during the recent trip my heart was still there. After visiting the Utah area for a second time, I began to pray that if this was truly somewhere God wanted me, that He would start providing my needs. Within two weeks, prayers were being answered in unbelievable ways. The connections that began from the girls I am going to be living with, to where I am going to be working, to churches and family friends of the Powells, have all been nothing less than amazing....and all these connections came through other people, but started with me praying! I have been blown away by the connections that the Lord has provided, and I am not exaggerating. Those answered prayer stories will be blogged when I have more time to write! I just wanted to get this blog out to let you know where you can check for updates on all that the Lord is doing in that land, and so you know how to pray for me!

You are all so very dear to me, which is one of the other main reasons I have this up, and I extend sincere apologies for the last week or so where my mind has been very preoccupied!

I'll keep you posted,

Jill

Prayer requests:

travel safeties

host home where I am staying for at least a month

spiritual protection

health