Quick Hello

Goodness dear ones!  Life is a blur right now and I’m missing you!  I feel like God has me in stinkin’ boot camp, stretching me and challenging me — no, those words are too light — demolishing me.  Last week we moved in with the Dombrows, our church moved, and I sat down and realized I have the most insane amount of stuff to get done before May 15th graduation.  One night this week, in an absolute heap of tears while Jeff was gone, I actually went downstairs to where Joy was sitting on the couch, walked up to her when she looked up I collapsed onto the couch and into her arms and sobbed, “Will you just hold me?”  Sweet girl hardly even knows me and here I was bawling into her arms.  Even though I’d be lying if I said that having a newborn and a toddler living in someone else’s house was a walk in the park, I’m seeing God’s hand on the situation as we are seeing each other in real life, praying for and rejoicing with and living life with each other.  And I must say if Dutch and Heidi turn out HALF as amazing as their two children I will be a happy mama!  (Dutch is in heaven with two playmates and a doggy!) My prayer is that this experience would make us better prepared and able to serve Christ together for the LONG haul.

And I now have dozens of hours of research to do, my end of the year comprehensive internship paper, one more seminary teaching time, speaking at our church’s women’s luncheon, papers to grade, diapers to change, middle-of-the-night feedings…yikes!  I think I cried every day this week.

But what God’s been minstering to me (along with a million other things, did I mention I feel like I’m in boot camp?!) is that ALL of this is HIS. This is HIS seminary education, His women at our church, HIS work.  And the beauty is that in my weakness His strength is made perfect.  When I walked downstairs and crumbled into Joy’s arms this week I sensed, however oddly, I sensed God’s good pleasure on my life. I sensed somehow He was pleased with my utter helplessness, exhaustion, and absolute utter dependence. I can’t say I’m enjoy this. One day this week I actually just sat in my car all by myself and cried. But I love that somehow God’s voice becomes clear when we are desperate. God’s presence becomes so tangible I can feel it.  And in the midst of this He’s teaching me some awesome things from the life of Hagar…more to come.

Anyway, no “big idea” here in this post. Just had to let you know I’m still alive and ask that if you would, will you pray for me this next month as I finish seminary and fulfill different responsibilities?  I graduate May 15th, so I would welcome prayer.  We’re also asking God to please sell our home in Corvallis so that we can find a place of our own, so would you join with me in that as well?  THANK YOU to you who have been helping so much the past six weeks.

Oh! And…yes, I finished the clothing fast! My brother (who matched my donation) is deciding where our $1000 donation will go. I’ll keep you posted! And yes, I went shopping on Friday and scored some killer deals.  Still need to buy socks…