Wow - it's actually here

Well, today has been spent packing. I am now packed, except for just a few things that can't be packed quite yet. Even being almost entirely packed, though, I still have a hard time believing that I will be leaving the day after tomorrow - and today is almost gone, and I'll only be here for a few hours on Sunday. Everything has either been packed or I know where it is and will pack it as soon as possible, though, so I'm just about ready!

Please be praying that if there are any last minute things that I am forgetting, they be remembered, and that the trip go well. Be praying that I be a witness to others, and that if I am able to find the opportunity to be a witness in my travels, God provide the words.

I will be updating this site occasionally while gone, and will also be looking at any comments and checking my email, so please, let me hear from you!

The final week

Well, here I am on day three of my last week stateside before my trip. God has provided for everything I've needed, yet somehow I still find myself stressing at times. Right now I am trying to get an exception made to internship requirements; I found out yesterday that, although this will be a great trip no matter what, it might not count as my internship for LeTourneau. The problem is that the aircraft on which I will be working are all registered in Papua New Guinea, and my internship requirements include working on U.S. registered aircraft. I have emailed LeTourneau asking for an exception to be made, but have no idea whether or not this will actually be able to happen. So please be praying with me that God's will be done with that.

As I am doing all of my packing and taking care of the few things that remain, be praying that, no matter how busy I get, I remember to make time for the One Who is making all of this possible, and that I glorify Him in all that I say and do.

Praise be to God!

Yesterday (Saturday 15 May) I received my Visa in the mail. When I looked more closely, though, I discovered that it only allows me to stay in Papua New Guinea until June 13 - well short of my planned departure date of July 29. So we immediately started praying and working on figuring out what needed to be done.

Today we received a reply, letting us know what needs to be done. Apparently things like this have happened before, and because I will be arriving before my Visa expires, I will be able to arrive, go to Immigration, and have the date on my Visa changed. So, praise be to God, everything is fine!

Please continue to be praying as I spend these next two weeks preparing to leave; I will be leaving home the morning of Sunday, May 30. Be praying that I not forget anything as I am preparing, and that it be a great trip, with the Lord's work being accomplished.

At last

I have finally finished my sophomore year!

When I was registering for this semester, several students told me I was crazy, this particular load (four classes, four labs, with each lab meeting twice every week) should not even be attempted. The faculty members who had to clear me for registration questioned whether or not I really thought I could do it, and I questioned a little bit, too. But God is so good - He gave me the strength and endurance to make it through!

I do not yet know most of my final grades, but they should be decent, especially considering this semester's load. Praise be to God for providing the strength and determination to finish this semester, and to finish it well.

Thank you for all of the prayers throughout the semester and especially during finals week. They have been an immense help, and I request continued prayer as I finish preparing for my trip to PNG and then leave in 24 days.

Lots to report

Well, a lot has happened since I last posted on here.

This past week contained a group presentation, a test, four lab finals, three lab notebooks, and one big lab project. God proved His faithfulness once again, as He helped me finish everything successfully! All that I have left for this school year is four finals, for which prayer would be greatly appreciated.

The finals schedule for me is: (all times are Central time)

Monday at 9:45 AM: Powerplant Electrical

Tuesday at 7:30 AM: Airframe Electrical

Wednesday at 7:30 AM: Introduction to Reciprocating Engines

Thursday at 7:30 AM: Introduction to Aircraft Systems.

I ask for your prayers on all of these things.

And now for an update on Papua New Guinea:

Friday I received word that, although I needed to have a little more medical screening done, and do some paperwork with my doctor when I get back to Virginia in just over a week, my Visa has been approved!! So I spent this morning (Saturday) going to get the rest of my medical screening done, and have an appointment to do my paperwork on Tuesday the 11th, the day after I get back home. So this is a huge praise, as I will get my results back from this morning's stuff in time to take copies home with me next weekend, and can then send everything out on Tuesday or Wednesday, the 11th or 12th, and should have my stuff back very soon after that! So, although I had to wait much longer than hoped, God has once again provided everything that is needed!

Well, it's time for me to return to the books, preparing for my finals, but I wanted to give this update. May God bless you on this day!