Dearest Friends–
(WARNING: It's a long one but worth reading)
"Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignanat?
If I must boast, I will boast in the things that show my weakness." -2 Cornithians 11:29-30
Imagine this….You just picked up a rental car from the airport and are on your way to an amazing vacation spot. An hour into the trip you hit a detour and immediatley your fillled with frustration and impatience (DEBBIE DOWNER). You've been traveling ALL day and the last thing you want is to spend more time on the road (ANGER). Dang detour (let's be honest, a few cuss words is more realistic). As you start to follow the detour you realize the road is taking you out of the mountains and in a matter of minutes you are surrounded by an amazing view that words cannot accuratley describe (SURPRISE). The sparkling blue ocean is on your right and the beautiful mountains stretch out on your left. Every feeling of misery and annoyance has completely left your system (GONE). Ironically you become thankful for the detour because you never would have seen such a beautiful view without it (RELIEF & JOY).
Hang with me, I promise there is a point.
You see my friends I have hit a detour and am trusting the beautiful scene is to come.
I had become so sure about my plan over the next couple of years and am experiencing feelings of frustrations as my plan is "blocked". Long story short, through confusion (on my part) I'm one class short of student teaching in the fall therefore I cannot student teach no way, no how (talk about admitting my weakness). BUT the Lord has blessed me with a route leaving in July 12' for The World Race (I'll be honest, NOT my first choice, considering its postponing the Race for 6 months). What does this mean??
Big Announcement: I will be taking my final class this fall, student teaching in the spring, and leaving for The World Race in July.
This decision was not easy but here are a few of the many reasons why I chose it:
1) "In his heart a man determines his course, but the Lord establishes his steps." -Proverbs 16:9
aka our "perfect" plans do not always play out and I have to trust that Gods plan is at work and that he knows best.
2) "I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." -John 15:5 aka my faith is not based on WHO I'm around or WHERE I am, so regardless of if I'm in Lincoln or a "developing" country, God's radical work and miracles is accuring all around.
3) "Honor your father and mother" (sidenote: 1st commandment, kind of a big deal) aka the rebellious side of me (basically 90% of my being) wants to say "screw how society says to do things" and "education is always there." Fact is, many people (family members) have invested in my education and in order to honor them I feel it is necessary to finish my education before leaving on my adventure.
4) "I am who I am." -Exodus 3:14 aka God is with me always. My adventure has already started and will continue for the next year in Lincoln and when I take off overseas. So for those people (you know who you are) take a deep breath and relax a little cuz I'm not going anywhere for awhile ;).
Thank you for taking the time to read this, you deserve an award for making it through this extra long blog. Shout out to everyone who shared with me your wisdom and advice while I contemplated this big decision. Overall, even though it was an incredibly hard decision and I am not necessarily shaking my booty in excitement (fun fact: I dance when I get happy) about waiting another 6 months, I believe the Lord will turn my frustrations into joy and take me on a detour that is beyond my expectations.
You see, it's just a different route with the same amazingly awesome destinaton (aka heaven, ahhh yeah)!!My friends, never wait for an opportunity to "begin" your journey with Jesus, his plans are best when used!
I'm going to do what a wise group "Ok Go" once said and let it go because although it seems like a life altering decision now, this too shall pass. side note: bizzare video but the man's got a point.
