Well…first thing on the mind about me is that this is definitely my first blog!
A former student, Jillian, who is an amazing writer and person, just came back to visit and gave some awesome advice for blogging…write what you want to remember. Brought me to tear up as it was so simple and so profound at the same time. Thank you.
What do I want to remember…
- All the stories of God’s faithfulness and humor in answering my prayer to “please show off” in regards to the GO decision with The World Race, such as…
- A godly woman and prayer warrior calmly sharing before The World Race was on the radar that she saw me by a dirty river overseas ministering. She said I was going to have to raise funds and she said although she’d never done this before, she felt she was supposed to give what was in her wallet as a sign that God would provide.
- Asking God to please let me know for sure about the Go decision and being led to Ecclesiastes 11:5, then reading the matching note below…“Life involves both risk and opportunity…Life has opportunities and we must seize them, not merely play it safe. Just because life is uncertain does not mean we should do nothing. We need a spirit of trust and adventure, facing life’s risks and opportunities with God directed enthusiasm and faith.”
- While in prayer and thought about this specific route…A traveling preacher coming up, putting his hands on my head and saying, “Missions…Asia!”
- Danielle, not knowing yet about the World Race, coming up and saying, “I don’t know if this means anything to you, but I kept hearing “Go!” while praying for you.”
- When sharing with my mom, her calm answer that God had been saying, “No matter where your kids are, as long as they’re happy and in God’s will, it will be ok.”
- My friend Annette bringing me a picture book (which I love) which was so perfect for this time!
- Reading in Ruth and hearing that still, small voice say, “Sometimes, you just have to go.”
- When I got the call that I was accepted, unexpectedly choking up, then hearing my phone randomly start playing How Great is Our God, then, after that one song, going silent just as randomly! “And ALL the earth with know…!”
- At a time when I was once again praying for certainty about going, Kathy, a dear elder’s wife, texting that she was praying for me and just felt God saying to be confident in the decisions I was making and go in the direction that God was calling. (She didn’t know my request at that moment.)
- Laureen and her friend Rob asking to pray over me to commission me…even though they were jetlagged! Thanks, friend!
- My brother and sister-in-law being encouraging and excited!
- My sister and housemate looking over and helping with support letter details n’such!
Those are just a few from the many I’d like to remember…too many…so grateful.
- The dear friends and family who have prayed, laughed, and cried with me, not just during this process, but over the course of this life that’s gotten me to this point.
- The times of absolute joy when thinking about going.
- The times of “Oh my goodness!”, as well.
Life has so much to it, it’s hard to figure what to put in an “About” section.
- I love God and am joyfully nothing without Him.
- I love life, and sometimes, it just hurts.
- I love quotes.
- No matter how cliche this sounds, the old, worn, written-in Bible on my bed is what I would run in to save if there were a fire…unless there was a person inside…then I’d have to pray about it…just kidding ;o).
- I love my friends, students, and coworkers.
- I love my family…I have a wonderful mom, dad, brother, sister, sister-in-law, cuteness nephew, and another cuteness due in the next 2 weeks, and one surviving grandma…
- I love games and sports and traveling and missions and reading and librarianing and dancing just for fun…seen the video for “Happy”?
That’s it for now! Have a wonderful day!
