New birth in a living hope!

When we got to the Josiah Venture training center here in Czech I opened up my bible to 1 Peter.  Why I did I still don't know, but I know God will use it for good.  Anyway I tried reading through it and I kept being pulled back to the first few verses.  No matter how hard I tried to move on my heart still felt pulled back to the first few verses.  So I read 1 Peter 1:3-5 over and over and over and then thought, well I can't seem to focus on anything else but this passage why not memorize it! 
     "In his great mercy he has given us new birth in a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in that time."   1 Peter 1:3-5
Every time I read this I still find something new!  I want to know your observations! Help me understand why this verse has been placed on my heart!!


As for another update......my heart is swelling with so many thoughts and emotions!  As interns we are all going through a study called the "Shift 1|9" and in it we get to stop and go deep into the gospel of Christ.  Instead of just reading a verse and closing our Bibles we actually read the verses and then sit and talk about what we see happening in the stories.  It is such an honor to be surrounded by so many people that see so many different things in the same scripture!  Recently we have been talking about sharing the gospel in a way that people will listen instead of shutting down.  While we were talking about it I sat there  convicted, wondering "How many times did I have the opportunity to share and instead made excuses to walk the other direction?"  I learned today that there are those who can walk into a spiritual conversation with extreme ease and there are those who fall into a spiritual conversation.  Both have Christ in mind, both revolve around love, regardless of how "together" their testimonies may seem.  It is going to be a process learning to approach people without them assuming I am judging or thinking I am better them.  I am so excited to see how God shapes my heart and uses me to expand His kingdom!! 

Specific prayer request:

Pray that Christ keeps us from distractions that Satan places in front of us
Pray for peace in our sleep.  Stephen has had a few extremely dark dreams that have happened to some others in the past as well.  
Pray that support will continue to come in not only for myself but also for those who have recently become a part of the JV Staff.  I have talked to a lot of people and support raising is a very big struggle! 

Love you all! Thanks again for all your prayers and support!