GREAT IS THE GLORY OF THE LORD

Hi Friends,
It's been a while :) Hope you all are having a wonderful summer!
Been thinking about you guys a LOT lately.. It's important to me that I start this letter by simply saying "thanks". THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. I wish that I could tell each of you that in person!
Know that you are CHERISHED FRIENDS.
I feel great.. and I KNOW that your willingness to seek Him on my behalf through all of this, is the SOLE reason for that. I always knew and heard about the power of prayer.. but lately my belief in prayer has been renewed. Through the moments over this last month, I have seen Him be EXACTLY who He says He is... and I'd be willing to say there are few things better in this life than to realize or witness Him keep His word.
The total update is: Today is 1 month from surgery day. My nurses are here on and off for three times a week, and I see the doc every Thursday. My healing has been pretty consistent over the past month. My incision has shrunk from 7.8 cm to 5.5 cm in length, 3.5 to .7 in depth, and 5 to 1.8 in width. THOSE NUMBERS SAY A LOT! I'm developing healthy tissue around the opening and draining has almost completely stopped (i hope you don't have a weak stomach). Most of the time, I feel totally normal, so it's hard for me to understand why I need to rest... this seems to be the biggest challenge.
Unfortunately, the doctor did not clear me for school, and so I was unable to go back to Auburn for the summer as planned (i miss you school friends SO MUCH!). Prayers have now been focused on Africa and if I'll be well enough to leave the country. It's been up and down, and most family and friends have urged me to cancel my trip. I felt that I needed to wait, and let the doctor decide that. I finally was able to surrender to the Lord the doctor's decision (whatever it would be) just a week or so ago. My heart is in Africa and I surely want to go, but I also want to do what's best for my longterm health. It's been a time of confusion, but I finally decided that I'd trade my dissappointment over a "no", for that irreplaceable peace He has already so abundantly shared with me. So TODAY was decision day, and I'm excited to report that the Doctor's and nurses have given me the go ahead :) AHHHHHHHHHHHH. Africa, I'm a'comin'! In all honesty, i really thought he'd say no.. but he didn't. PRAISE GOD. My family really doesn't want me to go in fear of something happening, and the doc could change his mind by next weeks appointment so i guess its not totally final.. but as of now, he thinks there is no harm in going.
Here's where you come in AGAIN (if you're not worn out by all these requests yet):
*Will you please join me in praying the Lord's will over my trip? I want desperately to live out His best. Please pray for my family to have peace.
*I'm still in need of SUPPORT-- like, A LOT OF SUPPORT. I leave in 19 days. I know He's bigger than time or money. Please pray that it comes in.
*Will you pray for my friend Theresa, that is going with me? She has been on this rollercoaster of "yes and no's" with me, and if I don't go, she'll be there by herself. She is actually staying until December, and needs encouragement when we arrive to start her journey.
*Will you continue to pray for speedy recovery and restoration to FULL HEALTH? I know that God has a shield of protection around me, and wouldn't have me going if harm was ahead, but I want to be wise about decisions to avoid any more cysts or growth of this disease.
*I've got A LOT to do in 19 days. I have decisions about school in the fall, I have to move out of an apartment, and I have to get life in order before I ship out for 6 weeks.
I'd love it if you'd pray those things.. and hold me accountable for consistently praying these things (its cool, call me OUT!).

Psalm 138 says:
"I will praise You with my whole heart; Before the gods I will sing praises to You. I will worship toward Your holy temple, And praise Your name For Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word above all. In the day when I cried out, You answered me, And made me bold with strength... For great is the glory of the Lord. The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever.." Psalm 138
That's where I am right now... right in the thick of Psalm 138. Digesting it, Claming it. He has not been slow in keep his promise. I've prayed Isaiah 58, "Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer!" and I have seen him bring that verse to life and truth. He is a FAITHFUL FATHER.
thank you again, from my tip toes, for your kindness and friendship during this crazy month. You couldn't understand fully how you all have made me feel and I definitely didn't deserve it. To say I'm humbled is certainly an understatement.
Please keep me updated on your life
love you all.. Lee