Blessed

In the last few days, I have become acutely aware of how blessed I really am. I am incredibly blessed, I have some of the most loving family, friends and students anyone could ask for. 

This past week, was my last full week in the US for a year and it was one of the busiest weeks of the year, dance camp. CMA dance camp always promises to be very busy, very full and very blessed week. This year was not different. I had the privilege of teaching the Advanced level at camp and loved it. I loved having some of my favorite students in one class and watching each of them grow further in the Lord. A few of my students, I have taught for many years and it always amazes me to see how they have matured and grow in the Lord, it is one of my favorite parts of dance camp. 

As the week neared the end, when I knew I was going to be saying goodbye to many, many people I loved. The thought of this was daunting, and Thursday on my drive to camp I broke down in tears, not really having the emotional strength to say goodbye to so many in such short time. Friday was the last day of camp, I thought it was going to be incredibly difficult but in truth, once Friday came around, it was much easier than expected. I felt a peace and joy as I said goodbye to all my students and friends. I could hear the Spirit saying, "It's ok, it's just time to go". It was a peace and joy that almost shocked me, and I was so thankful for it. 

At one point, I became aware of how lucky I am to have the friends that I do. One of my dear friends, Alyssa Robbins, suggested to all the teachers that we needed to pray as a team. Even though there was still lots to do before the performance, everyone agreed and took a circle, praying over the performance and other general prayer needs. Finally, all those who were leaving on a mission trip in the next week, 5 out of the 12 teachers, were all surrounded and prayed over. I looked up and through the tears, saw my best friends, some of whom were passionately praying for protection and favor over my missions trip and the others who were preparing to leave themselves to places like Japan, Nepal and London.

"Why am I so lucky to have friends like these?" I thought. Friends who encourage you to follow the call of God, but don't hesitate to cry over your absence. Friends who say they will pray for you and you know with every fiber that they will. Friends that are willing to let you go and to send you to further the gospel because they themselves have gone in the past.

I will miss friends like these. I spoke last night with my best friends of many years and she once again encouraged me like she so often does. She told me how much this missions trip was blessing her because she had seen me long for the mission field for so many years. She had heard me pray, "Here I am, send me!" and now that I was being sent, she saw God's hand of faithfulness all over it.

This morning, I said goodbye to my Mom and Dad, incredibly difficult. With tear filled eyes, we hugged, prayed and said goodbye. Not long after, I received a text from my Dad, Isaiah 42: 17,