Thanks for all the encouragement.Re: white stones comment, I did wonder where the post went :-)I purposely posted it in "General Topics" because I felt it was a subject many people related to.No big deal.Just want to say I'm blessed by people's prayers and encouragement.How long one sojourns in a desert is entirely up to Jesus, so long as I keep short accounts and don't let sin get in the way.It is hard because it's a desert!!! The flesh dosen't like it!! One thing I've learnt is my heart is a deceitful little critter, it must be continually laid on the altar and given up to the Lord.So, to the moderators ... sorry if I posted in the wrong forum :-)to all who responded ... thank you very muchto anyone reading this whose feeling tired and slogging it through the wilderness ... keep your eyes on the Lord, your feet on the ground, and your heart on the altarRock on for Jesus