soon i will be on the plane to pasadena for four weeks of training. by then, i think the feelings of nervousness and excitement will have hit me like a ton of bricks. but for now, even with the uncertainty of this next year, i simply have a peace. it's hard to explain, and so i know without a doubt that this peace is from the Lord.
a good friend of mine recently spoke in her update letter about how God uses the "flashlight method." He only lets us see so far in front of our feet, and it gets frustrating at times. we think, "well thanks, God. but could you just turn the overhead light on for a moment so that i could feel like i know where i'm going?" of course, if He let us use the overhead light even for a second, we would totally freak out. instead, we have to trust Him. therefore, this verse will be on my heart not only as i prepare to go, but all throughout this next year overseas:
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
Joshua 1:9
thank you, lisa, for putting this verse in your last update letter. it's a great encouragement to me as God uses the flashlight method to direct my steps :)
all my visa paperwork is completed, my flight to pasadena purchased, and every support letter sent out. however, there is still much to do. i won't bore you with the details, but here are some specific prayer requests/praises:
- i am about halfway to my goal of $12,000! that itself is a huge accomplishment, but please pray for more support to come in as God provides.
- i get to stay with some dear friends in corona (where i grew up!) for a few days prior to training! this is a huge praise :)
- please pray for my parents as they adjust to the idea of me being gone for a year. even during college, i've always been close to home, and this is going to be a big change for them (and the dog!).
- pray for this sense of peace to continue, as it would be so easy to be overcome with worry regarding the uncertainty of this next year.
that's all for now. i'm not feeling too literary, but it's been awhile since my last post, and the date of my sendoff is quickly approaching. thanks for reading, and thanks especially for your prayers!
