It has almost been a month since we made the trek out to the West Coast, and although hard in some ways, the blessings have not ceased. I am overwhelmed by all the Lord has been doing since the minute we hit the road. 

I have been reading the book of James since before we left, and I will be studying it with a book study very soon, but just reading through as I pray has been encouraging. 

The Lord is training me to be a woman who prays. One who prays in patience, who prays with expectation, who prays, prays and prays even more. The peace that has come with just taking all my needs to my Savior in prayer has been immense. He is so gentle and kind to me in my struggles over my flesh, and I am made like a child again in the arms of my Father, as I weep or as I rejoice. He teaches me so tenderly and I am so thankful for that tenderness.  

His word is permeated with His character, it just drips of all that He is and intended us to be. Its that milk and honey we all crave. It always satisfies. 

"But wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace." James 3:17,18

In my prayers I have been asking the Lord to show me how to live right before Him in every moment. How to be a wife, daughter, sister, friend, employee, that brings glory to Him. He is answering and I can only rejoice! 

Tonight's verses were these:

"Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, [encouraging!!] and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced fruit." James 5:17,18

It doesn't say how long Elijah prayed here, but I am encouraged that he was "a man with a nature like ours"! He struggled with the same struggles of the flesh we did, and the Lord still used him as an example. As we pray earnestly we will be changed. 

I hold onto these beautiful promises and gather in this goodness. I hope you will to!

More to come. Love, Jess xo