here is a brief update: to make a long story short, a TON of decisions have been made, changed and then changed again in the past few months. the Lord has taken me for a ride this year and i fully believe that He has been drawing me nearer every step of the way. sometimes it's not about the end result or what you do for the Lord that He's after. sometimes He just wants your heart. sometimes all it takes is for you to be WILLING and READY to drop everything and follow His call. i have now gone through 3 phases of being willing, ready and on my way only to find that the path has changed yet again.
many of you know that I was accepted to go on the World Race earlier this year. i invested time, prayer and money into this commitment before the Lord graciously nudged my shoulder and turned me in a different direction. i will tell you that one major obstacle for the WR was some of my medication. i was asked to come off of my anti-depressants before embarking on the race. my mind and my heart were ready for this challenge but regardless of what i desired, my body was just simply not ready for that. i tried and found myself in a very low place that i desperately needed to get out of...phase two was a connection i felt to a ministry called the Door of Hope in S.Africa. I have been corresponding with a precious woman in this ministry since the end of July. i shared my heart, my history, my strengths and weaknesses and all of who i am with these people. ultimately they asked me to come live with them for awhile and serve in one of the Baby houses. after much prayer and consideration i again decided that what i desired was not necessarily the best decision for my mental and emotional well being. working with DOH is still an option for the future and i will continue to keep in touch with them.
in God's perfect timing i have been given the opportunity to travel to S.Africa and visit the DOH with a group of FUGE staffers! (God willing) it will be my first time traveling internationally (with several former team members :) ) and i will finally get to put faces with "email" names and personalities. we will travel to Johannesburg the last week of March and i am just thrilled. among a long list of things i have learned this year and ways that i have grown spiritually, the Lord has been so gracious to physically show me His faithfulness through answered prayers and always opening another door.
we simply (but not really simple) have to learn to TRUST. He really is faithful and He really will keep His promises. the Lord has started a good work in you and in me and He WILL finish it. He will get all the glory. that's stuff you can count on guys.
be encouraged! we always, always, ALWAYS have a reason to sing!
