I've been really enjoying Richard J. Foster's "Celebration of Discipline, The Path to Spiritual Growth," and especially his, "Inward Disciplines," about, "submission" and "learning to pray" as power in the times of trial and testing.

Thomas a Kempis in his "Classical Devotionals" also reminds me that we can never escape temptation and trials, because they are a part of every day life.

Turning to the Scriptures in James 1:2 I am commanded to, "Pray, so that you will not fall into temptation. . ." What James is trying to tell me is that these trials and temptations are to test my faith so that my Christian walk will be perfected in the Lord, and I will become mature and complete in Christ.

The verse continues, ". . . but God, will with the temptation or trial, also provide a way of escape." God’s promise! God's presence through the day has helped me meet many a trial or temptation, although I must learn it many, many times!

Today’s morning prayer, and self-discipline through the day, has helped me practice the presence of God. However, from the beginning of this trip through Ohio & New York State, I’ve felt that the Lord was preparing me for some special testing. It's been so very hard to find an Internet Cafe or library with Internet where I can connect my laptop computer.

Shortly before starting this trip, I signed up to take a University correspondence course online, without having gotten much practice in connecting with the professor or my class mates. I’m still having some troubles with frustrations & being submissive, but God has met me each morning and I have felt His presence, as I confess my weakness & claim His peace.

This trip has a great deal of meaning to my husband as only a limited number of close family remain alive to keep up his family tree records. "Thank you, Lord, for forgiving me, for helping me meet my temptation & trial, for the opportunity to enjoy family, the gorgeous colored falling leaves and great weather here in the State of New York."