Earlier this week, I spent some time up north. (For those who are not from Michigan…. ‘up north’ is beautiful, rustic Northern Michigan—where the lake is crystal clear, the woods are lush, hiking trails are long, cell phone service is spotty and life just slows down). To me, it’s such a magical place. I planned to spend a few days early this week camping. I am usually not a last minute person, but at 10p Sunday night, I was still looking for Monday site reservations. I was searching with no real luck, and then out of the blue, this AMAZING tiny house pops up right in the area. If you blog followers didn’t know, I have an almost ridiculous love for tiny houses. I’ve watched way too many YouTube videos, dreamed about building my own and living in one someday. This 150 square foot tiny house was booked for the rest of July, but was available for the following three nights. Hmm. It all seemed too good to be true. And oh, what a surprise I was in for as I pulled in Monday. I drove in down a dirt road that opened to a field surrounded by thick woods. And there sat this magnificent tiny house. I jumped out of my car and my mouth was literally wide open. As my floor-dropped mouth curled into this huge smile, I almost ran to go check it out. My fingers traced the woodwork and discovered just the environment I so long imagined— I could only be absurdly joyful.
I know it all seems ridiculous because its a tiny house. But c’mon, its not about the tiny house. What is so ridiculous about the whole thing is how personal God’s love is. He knows me. He prepared this quiet and specific space to be with Him, worship and process in solitude. This little house far exceeds what I could have found on my own. God continues to give my dimmed eyes new sight to see His HUGE love more clearly. I would have been happy, excited even, to sleep in my tent in the woods earlier this week; but oh, how God surprised me. How He wants to surprise us. He is a God of abundance. He meets us perfectly in such personal ways. He lights our vision to see more of His presence and the fingerprints of His faithfulness in our stories. God continues to renew my mind with the truth of who He is, and who He declares I am in light of Him. What a gift. His love is such a gift. God’s love is personal for each of us, but His truths are the same. This morning, I leafed through the journal I started just before training camp. I jotted down some of the truths and themes that God has been declaring in this season. What is true for me as His daughter, is true for all of His own. God continues to prompt me to boldly proclaim:
-You are present, Lord
-You draw me in, Lord
-You know me personally, Lord
-You are my source, Lord
-You are abundant, Lord
-You are sovereign, Lord
-You are kind, Lord
-You are a merciful defender, Lord
-You are my redeemer, Lord
-You are life complete, Lord
-You are truth, Lord.
-You make the seed blossom, Lord
-You turn my winter into spring, Lord.
-You are my Helper, Father, Savior
God’s love is so wild!
Speaking of God’s faithfulness, as launch quickly approaches here are some UPDATES:
*I will be flying to Atlanta, GA on August 3rd (14 days!) for some final training before launch. From Atlanta, our team will fly to Spain to begin our adventure by hiking and evangelizing on the El Camino trail!
**God has provided $16,159. WOW!!! (PRAISE GOD!) I am and have been so humbled. I’ve encountered God’s faithfulness and family in such a palpable and overwhelming way through fundraising. It been a process of relinquishing my pride; but in asking for help, I’ve so cherish all the prayer partners, friends and brothers and sisters in Christ I got to deepen or establish relationship with. I am currently 86% funded (WOAH!) with only $2,541 needed to being fully funded for the whole 11 months (WHAT?!) I am thankful for each supporter’s response to God’s invitation to financially support this trip. It is so rich to be connected to the larger body of Christ in these new ways. More than anything, I am so thankful for your prayers and continued prayers for our team. Thank you all for reminding me of what a generous God we serve!
***This Sunday, July 22, there will be a going away bonfire from 7-10p for all the West Michigan (+) folks at my parent’s house. Come grab a s’more, hug and hear more our team’s mission! I’ll have my gear out and would love to visit and share more of my heart with you. Comment below and I can send you the address 😀
