we are Yours.

God is good.  im so excited about what's been going on.  i got to talk to two dear friends, one is a missionary one is a community organization/revitalization/minister.  it was so great to hear how they are trusting God with their futures, and to get an idea of where He might be leading them next.  

my missionary friend has been trying so hard to get back to the ivory coast in africa.  she worked there once a few years ago, and i can't imagine how hard it would be to go somewhere, see a huge need, start to understand how to meet needs, start to understand the language and culture, start to share your heart with people, start to share the Gospel with people, start really getting to know people, and then... have to leave.  but that's what my friend did.  since then, she's had a hundred things stop her from going back, but she is trusting that this is right and continuing to raise support (if you'd like to help her, let me know.)

my community ministry friend is working right now in inner city chicago.  im so proud of how much she has trusted God!  her plans have changed quite a bit to conform to His plans, and its amazing.  He is working through her willing spirit so much!  i can't wait to see where He takes her next.  all the possibilities sound so great!

i was so encouraged by both of these friends.  mostly because they're both single women working in ministry.  im really proud of them for not buying into the lie that you have to have a husband to be in ministry, or that you have to wait around to be married before you start ministering.  so good.  and im thankful for organizations who encourage their work.

it's hard to give up personal goals.  it's hard to change your course after you've talked so much about what you want to do, and told so many people where you think God is leading you only to be shown that you're wrong.  i've felt this.  i mean, for the last 5ish years i've been telling EVERYONE that i was going to be a womens minister on a college campus.  i really wasn't planning on getting married right after i graduated.  i was planning on going to a campus, working with students, teaching about prayer, and maybe in like 5 years, when i was like 26 or 28 getting married.

but God had different plans.  and looking now at my past i see exactly how he brought me here.  timmy is exactly the type of man i wanted to marry, i couldn't resist!  his kindness has taught me so much about taking care of people! and i love not actually being in charge of an entire ministry, but helping timmy to be a great minister.  im so glad to be working with youth!  it's what i did for like 4 or 5 years, how could i not see God preparing me for that work?  and then to recognize how intertwined campus ministries and high school/ jr high ministries really are is a comforting thought, all that preparation was for a good reason.

im learning to trust again.  im trying to find comfort in the truth that God knows exactly what he's doing, that he knows me, and that everything works to his Glory.

love.