Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Before Departure


I am very tired right now. I have been running around for the past few days trying to get everything together. There have been many thoughts rushing through my mind, but I have been thankful for the San Diego sun and the moments I have been able to relax at the beach.

I feel like my body is moving faster than my brain right now and I have a feeling that once I get on the plane, it will all settle in.

I have let go of all my own plans and expectations and in so doing it has sunk in more that I am going to meet my family for the very first time in my life. That brings me the most worry and excitement. It is a gaurantee that I will come back changed.

I ask for your prayers- it is an overload of emotions I know I will experience.
1. New culture
2. Different Communication
3. Meeting my family for the first time EVER
4. Walking where Jesus walked! 5. Living in a new country 6. Going to a different style church I'm sure you can add to the list, but I could use your prayers please!

Sunday, March 7, 2010

8 Days Home- 8 Days till Israel!


Hey everyone! I wanted to get rollin' on the whole blogging process. I've been home in San Diego for 8 days now and I leave on Thursday the 18th.

It's been nice being home and re-connecting with friends I've had in my life for years. That's always one of the most encouraging things for me in coming home. There is something very special about being with those who have known you for a long time.

I have enjoyed spending time with the Lord considering all the adventures He has taken me on, trials He brought me through, testings, provisions, friendships, and all the rest. I cannot imagine my life without having this past year in Petaluma. I know it was a HUGE learning time for me.

If you asked me 4 weeks ago if I thought I would be back in San Diego, I would have told you that I am open to anything but I don't see it happening. Well- here I am. I have found myself swept back to the Shores of San Diego. God's timing is so perfect and His plans are certainly not ours but He knows just what we need. He has given me so much unexpected and unanticipated peace with being home.

I have come to the conclusion that God has made my life an ocean. A few years ago He gave me Psalm 84:5. Years later, I see that He was not kidding. When I gave Him my life I gave Him all my dreams, desires, callings, plans, ect. I live in the midst of His ocean. He chooses which shores I will land on and how long I will be there. He chooses which desires can rise to the surface or which ones must drown. He controls the waves, the timing. He controls the ocean, the plans. He controls the shores, the places and people. I have learned to appreciate every friend that crosses my path for I know my times and seasons are unknown and they are in His hands.
In an ocean there is nothing to hold onto for security and comfort. All I have is Him.

How I pray that even the believers that are stationed comfortably in one place would realize how much their lives are meant to be an ocean with passions, callings, plans and so on. Yes, it is a scary place to be because we must let go of all our own strength even to swim because before we know it our legs will be weak and our arms will give up. In those moments we remember the words of our Redeeming God "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9) He know the plans He has for His children and if we let Him, sometimes He will do things we never would have imagined. I waited 3 years to be in Petaluma and referred to it as my earthly "promise land"... Now my Heavenly Daddy is taking me on a different type of journey to the REAL Promise Land. A journey I have only prayed for and never actually anticipated taking.

Please pray for my heart as I get prepared to meet my family for the first time in 20 years, to learn about the culture I come from, to walk with Jesus in the place that is the apple of His eye, and to share His great salvation.