Four months have passed since I last posted on my blog. So much has happened and so much is about to happen. So, I will do my best to summarize these many months and share of God's goodness.
We have been living in Iowa for almost six months now. I have three words to describe these months:
God's faithfulness abounds.
The pace of these months has been slow, yet quieting. It has been less, yet so richly full. I have learned so much from just being still. I've had so much time to think and pray. So much time to see God's little gifts that He delivers day by day. I really needed this. I didn't know it fully six months ago, but now I'm seeing why the Lord slowed me down for such a time as this.
"Those who look to Him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed." Psalm 34:5
This verse. I read it towards the beginning of October and the Lord has brought me back to it time and time again. As much as I would like to say that I have looked to Him in every moment, I haven't. It seems like God has wanted to teach me what it means to fall facedown before Him in times of desperation. Surely, it brings Him glory when I look to Him, if it says that those who do so are radiant.
I've experienced both sides...not looking to Him and looking to Him. Those times that I forgot to turn my heart to Him were miserable, empty and dark. The times that I did look to Him, by His amazing grace, I tasted the reality of how He satisfies. Oh, how desperately I need Him! I will always be learning this lesson on my life journey, how I need to look to Him always. I am so glad He is teaching me so much every day....loving me...forgiving me...refining me...making me more like Him. This journey NEVER ends!
In my last post, I mentioned loneliness. These months have been everything but lonely. God has filled the gaps in my heart of that need to be busy. I've grown closer to my family more than ever; we have walked every piece of this journey together. I have been blessed to live with my grandparents and share everyday life with them [priceless]. I have made many dear friendships with people in Britt, which makes the thought of leaving Iowa hard. Oh, how God has provided! How He has known every single need, and how He has met it by His grace. Why did I ever doubt that He could sustain me through these months?
We have now come to the last month of our time in Iowa. Praise the Lord, my family has gotten to 100% of our support, which means that we have now decided a date to leave. We are going to be flying to Slovakia, Lord willing, in a MONTH! It feels like I've been waiting for so long, yet it also feels like it's coming so quickly. What a paradox. I am so ready and thrilled to begin this next chapter!
Now that I know how much time we have left in Iowa, I want to make the most of it all the more. Our life here has been precious and I want to finish well.
Last Thursday I got a letter in the mail from Moody Bible Institute telling me that I have been accepted for this coming fall. What joyous news that I can't begin to express my gratitude for! Being accepted to Moody is a tremendous gift from the Lord and something that I have desired so much. It also means that my time in Slovakia will most likely be around five months. Another transition. Another time of settling. I'm ready for all of this, though. Not because I myself am strong but because Jesus Christ lives in me. He is my strength, my helper, my JOY. All of this is to bring His sweet name glory...what a beautiful thing!
"I desire to do YOUR will oh God, Your law is within my heart." Psalm 40:8
"Give thanks in ALL circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thes 5:18
If all of this is His will, why wouldn't I rejoice? Why wouldn't I be excited for where He has placed me and where He is going to place me? He is accomplishing His glorious task and that is all that matters. By His strength and His incomparable joy, I can finish well in Iowa. I can step boldly into Slovakia and I can move to Chicago, Illinois five months later.
GOD IS GOOD. ALL THE TIME!
