An Announcement... Of Sorts.

Isn't it neat when the Lord gives us the unvoiced desires of our hearts??? I had that very thing happen to me this past week. My dear friend Jen just came back from a month-long visit to her family in Arizona and was only home for a week or so before she took off for a month-long missions trip to Chile. I had wanted to spend some time with her after church last Sunday and again on Wednesday night, but it just didn't work out.

So imagine my great delight when I was asked to take her to the Newark Airport after her aunt's car had some mechanical problems. Isn't the Lord good??? He knew I wanted to spend time with Jen and with a hour and a half trip to Newark, we suddenly had time!

Jen and I had such a lovely visit and as I pulled away from the terminal and headed back toward the highway, I thought about Jen's trip. How I wished I was going with her to a new continent... a new country... to see old friends and some very special missionaries! But just as I was about to get a twinge of envy, the Lord reminded me of a much anticipated trip I am planning on making this summer...

I've begun the whole process again of getting ready to go back to Thailand. When I came home from Thailand on August 16th, it was with a reluctant heart. But the door has opened up to go back to Thailand - Lord willing for a year or so.

With that in mind, if you are interested in keeping up to date with all that's happening, I've started a blog specifically for jotting down blessings and of what the Lord is doing. Here is the first entry for my blog Each Step I Take. I know that the Lord is truly guiding and directing my every step and I am so excited to see what He is doing in this new phase of my life. Make sure you bookmark the page and check back for updates:o).

In the meantime, I think about a year and just how long, but really short, it is. I think about saying good-bye to my family, friends, and church family. But I do not think about leaving with a sad heart... because good-byes are a part of life. I've been on both sides of a "good-bye. I said good-bye to my dearest girlfriend when we were 18, and during her three years in South Africa as a missionary's daughter, our friendship was transformed from teenager to adult. I said good-bye to family members as they've moved around the country, and our relationships are still strong. I said good-bye to family, friends, and church family as I went on a summer missions trip, and I grew to appreciate the modern communication methods because of it.

Am I excited? Yes! Do I have it all together? No. A big part of when I leave is going to hinge upon finances. But my God is not broke. He is still on the throne and I believe in the power of prayer! So while my departure date is still a few months away, the prep work is not. There is much to do, but I know that I need to take things a day at a time....

...no, make that a step at a time!