The Lord is teaching me some things this month…..
- Yes, we are half way through the world race but there is so much more God is going to do with me so I desire and pray to continue looking ahead and seeking Him and carrying out His work on this journey. I say this to myself often as encouragement…Hey! It works!!
- It’s a new year and it’s becoming more and more real that this is the year we do return to the states, but continue to be present…God will take care of the future.
- My family and friends in the states are in God’s hands, and in my prayers.
This blog will be different from all the others. I won’t talk much about where we are and who we’re working with, due to this being a closed country, but I can share that in all we’re doing I’ve been able to spend quality time in quiet prayer and worship and processing what I do feel God is saying to my heart. This month is full of manual labor of all sorts…from hauling bricks that have been broken up so there can be rebuilding done, to raking leaves and clearing out the property, to painting a wall.
Today, I painted a wall. I have paint all over me, mostly because my sweet teammates shared the love. I now have paint on clothes that I would like to make last for the next five months. Memories flooded back to my mind of the times when I painted several walls, tore down things to rebuild, and cleared out to make new. This year, I get to make these memories this month in Laos. I get to start over and hear from the Lord while being in a state of mind that’s refreshing and full of joy! I miss home, but I am content with where I am. The race right now feels so right, so timely with the Lord. Community is wonderful, sometimes too much, but overall wonderful! I learn so much from those around me who are living this journey with me, people who are intentional through and through and totally agree that it doesn’t end the day we land in the states. I have healthy moments of talking about what might come after the race with my team, but we’re all in the same place knowing the Lord is so good and our futures belong to him.
I woke up in our bed that’s covered completely by a bug net to a ginormous spider INSIDE the net, just inches above my body. With the courageous help of a teammate we successfully got that guy out of the cabin and away from our lives! Scorpions (blue ones!) appear randomly during our outside work and then you see the occasional snake. Ants were our enemies that must be taken out for the first several days upon arriving to our place for the month. Now we’ve got it down when they decide to reappear! There’s a little snip-it of our living conditions, which I’m so grateful for! I am enjoying my sleeping pad so much on the great beds we’ve been given to use! 🙂
I eat peanut butter almost every day. Today, I ate peanut butter with a carrot and it was delicious. I savor that very much and I’m so grateful for the small things that make me think about home and my go tos! This month I have intentional quiet time in the Word every morning, as I’m eating breakfast and drinking coffee. Yes, I am able to drink coffee and it’s French press! I’m not necessarily highlighting the two amazing favorites just listed, but I do appreciate the little things a whole lot more since being on the race because I can so easily get all the things in the states and not so much in the different countries I’ve been in.
Along with that, even on the race you make time for what’s important. Alone time with the Lord, whatever that looks like for each of us, is especially important and always needed…every day! I have also learned how to value my time and not take advantage of the off days or moments to myself! Something I really hope to continue on with after the race.
I am learning how to live well in God alone.
