Well folks, the day has finally come!! National Play Your Ukulele day!! I’ve been waiting FOR AGES.
Okay… as much as I do love NPYU day (and trust me, it will be celebrated indefinitely), today also marks my $5000 mark!! For a while it seemed I would never make it.
On a serious note, the last few weeks have just not been the greatest. In the last month, I’ve witnessed the death of a sweet friend, lost my job, nearly ruined my GPA (which, btw, if you struggle with grades getting in the way of your relationship with Christ, I have a really fun present for you here.) and been faced with the end of relationship with someone I will always love dearly. It’s been a roller coaster, but I don’t write these things to get the pity of friends or the sympathy of readers. I write to tell you of the consistent affirmation that keeps being placed in front of me and the constant reminder of a plan that is so much bigger than anything I could’ve conjured up on my own. While I still don’t understand why these things happen, I’m reminded that my surrender to do the Lord’s work makes me the center target of evil’s tricks.
1 Peter 5:8 (NIV) – Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Ah, encouraging right? Not so much…but I am still filled with a joy to have endured such trial for my decision. There is nothing but proof in all the waves of tribulation that come following such a choice.
John 10:10 (NIV) – The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
There is hope still in the midst of the chaos. It can be draining when the world tries to drown us but we serve a God who meets us at our emptiness with the strength for tomorrow.
John 16:33 (NIV) – “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
My last assignment in Bible class was to write an essay concerning what we believed and why we believed that so if you have any tiny inkling of interest, it’s here.
The (other) good news is that I’m only a tent and a day pack away from having all my equipment!!! The funds have just flowed in and the struggle with that, being the major major major blessing that it is, is guilt. I’ve been far (like SO far) from the person that deserves money being poured in for her mission. Here’s the funny part – it’s not her mission at all, it’s His. He sees so deeply into hearts that have a passion for doing service that even when we mess up, He still loves us. We were born sinners and that will never ever change. We will always be dirty and grimy and less than. How wonderful to serve a God of love and mercy that doesn’t care what our outsides look like.
I’m getting more giddy every day for this experience and I’m eternally grateful for all the prayers and support I’ve received along the way. I’m blessed beyond what I could have ever imagined.
121 days until training camp!!!
Much love, Lo.
