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...

I'm back

   So sorry for the lack of updates! I should be back to blogging after this terribly long period of silence :) It seemed like there wasn't much to report on there for a little while and then, suddenly, things got crazy and I was left feeling a little overwhelmed! 

   So, where to begin?!? How about...I love my life! I really cannot imagine serving the Father anywhere else in this world right now. That is not to say I wouldn't love to be able to run home for a quick visit every now and then ;) But, the Father is so good and the life He's given me here truly is a gift. I have reached the point where I drive around town feeling like...I don't know...I fit, I belong. I'm not just this strange white person roaming around a strange new city trying to figure everything out and wondering when it will feel natural to be here. I like it. It's progress. I'll never tire of declaring the faithfulness of the Father! Only He could make me feel at home in a place that holds little reflection of what I know to be home! 

   However, the Father did see fit to send a little piece of home over for a visit recently. My sis!!! She flew over last month for about a 10 day visit and it was incredible! I think I was in shock half the time she was here! It was so amazing and strange having her here in my city! We had such an amazing time together as I introduced her to the glitz and glamour of life here ;) It was a huge boost of encouragement for me and I am just so thankful she was able to come! Love you sis! 

Ok...well, there is so much I will be sharing with you in the coming weeks so don't lose heart, I really am back! 

Precious...

These are some of my favorite little faces I get to see here :O) Every time I see these children I think..."Oh Father, I want these babies to know how precious they are to You!!!" I know He adores them more than I ever could and for now, until they know His love personally, I'm honored for Him to use me to show them His love!!!!

Gifts from home...and no, I'm not talking about care packages...

There are some people who spend years on the field without a single visit from their home fellowship. We here in BA are blessed. Blessed with a fellowship who supports us and gives us the most encouraging gift imaginable...themselves. This is the second team of people they've sent here since I arrived. What a GIFT!!!! But that's not all...we have THREE more teams already scheduled to come next year! YAY!!!
Among this crew of folks is our new team member! K-Joy, as we like to call her, is our new journeygirl here in BA (bottom row, first girl on the left). We are so excited to finally have her here! I can already tell that she is going to be an incredible encouragement to our entire team and a light here to the A-people! The Father is so good!

Lya

Dear friends, I would like to introduce you to my friend Lya. She is the dearest friend the Father has given me here in my new town! She is also the one I spend the most time with. Poor girl...she is teaching me this new language!!! What a girl! What patience!!! I have to confess, I am a slow language learner and therefore am unbelievably grateful for this sweet girl who meets with me 5 days a week, 3 hours a day as I brutally butcher her language!!!
When I first met Lya, I wasn't sure how on earth we were going to be close friends. I have never met a more shy person in all my life! Well, it has been about 5 months now and in just recent weeks, I finally feel confident to share with you that she is one of my closest friends here. What a gift! What a blessing! I have wanted so desperately to share about my life with her and in exchange for her to feel the freedom and comfort to do the same with me. So, after months of lifting this up to the Father, He has graciously given us a sweet sweet friendship! All thanks to Him!!!
Truth be told, I haven't learned as much of the language here lately :) but our conversations have become much deeper and sweeter as the Father has opened the doors for me to share truth with her! Please lift her up as the Father continues to cultivate this friendship!