Idioms, Adverbs, and Pronouns OH MY!

Part of what I do here as a volunteer coordinator is to set up as well as help facilitate some of our many ESL teaching opportunities! Let me just start off by saying that this is something I NEVER saw myself doing. I realize that sounds a little ridiculous seeing that I am a native English speaker in a foreign land, but I've come to realize that teaching English is just something you do whether you're qualified or not ;) 

  So, as volunteer teams come to teach ESL, I get to go along and help! Truth be told, I am actually starting to enjoy it. I have made a ton of new friends :) In fact, I've made so many new friends that I am to the point now that I don't think I have time to hang out with them all! What a great "problem" to have! 

Reflection

Each day this month seems to have held a moment of reflection. Sometimes this moment really is just a moment and sometimes it's an entire chunk of my day. What I'm reflecting on is the amazing year I've just been honored to complete. March 23rd marked my one year in country anniversary. Every day this week especially, I have stopped to think on the year and all that has happened. All that has changed. All the Father has brought me through. All the new He's allowed me to experience in my physical circumstances as well as my journey with Him...

Now, as I sit here in my room, in my home, in my town, on this island...so far from America...I am overwhelmed with gratitude. I said in my previous post that I love my life. It's true. I've never felt so blessed. This feeling of blessing and the love I have in my heart for where God's brought me has not come easily or quickly. This year has been a process of seeing things differently. Appreciating what God is doing (no matter what it is He's doing) and delighting in Him no matter what. Again, a process :) and one I am sometimes a little slow in. 

There have been moments of fear. There have been moments of all out WHAT AM I DOING HERE?!?! However, it is in my moments of weakness that I have experienced God's strength. His active presence in my heart and in my life. I wouldn't trade this for anything...

I recently re-discovered an old song that I think I could listen to every day and never tire of hearing. It's Aaron Geoffrey's song "He Is." Now, I know this is a major throwback to older era of music :) but this song...when I hear this song, there rises up in me such Adoration as I hear from the Word of God the intricate way in which He wove for us a picture of Himself and His sovereign, eternal character and plan for Redemption. Adoration for the One I serve, the One I know, the One I've seen at work, read about, and continue to grow to love with a love that can never be rivaled. A love that cries out from my heart to THE God Most High and this overwhelming strength and pride to continue living for the One who is greater than me because HE IS WORTHY!

And when time is no more...HE IS!

Listening to this song brings several questions to mind that lead to a great deal of understanding. How can God be my Rock if I'm always seeking someone else to lean on? How can He be my Comforter if I have no need for comfort? How can He be the Provider if I am sufficient apart from Him?

It has been in the joyous new experiences, heartbreaking trials and uncomfortable situations that I have been given then matchless opportunity to know my Savior more fully. To know Him in new ways has risen out of a strong need for Him in new ways :) 

As I reflect on the year and the faithfulness of an awesome God, I grin and think...

What an amazing ride when the arms who carry you are His...