[Even though we know that it's bittersweet... I know it's right]

The Lord has shown me an open door!! I have been approved to stay in Spain for another semester! It's something that has been on my heart for several weeks, and now I know where the Lord is guiding me. I know it's right, because there were, once again, a million things that had to work out. In some ways, this is the easiest decision ever, because I am simply trusting the Lord… in other ways, it’s difficult only because it’s a little bit sad.

But everything that makes it a little bit sad is very selfish,… and if I can plant or water even just ONE seed for the Lord that eventually sprouts and grows, that’s SOOO worth it! I'm just trying my best to follow Him very purposefully. I know His plan is so much better than anything I could ever come up with, and He is ALWAYS unbelievably good. I’m striving to completely trust Him, and He’s continuing to hold me. A good friend recently said to me, “There’s not enough time in this world to be sad for things when you can be glad on the flip side.” I think that pretty much hits it on the head. :)

It's pretty cool, because as soon as I posted the last blog asking for prayers and talked to a few close prayer buddies, and really just petitioned the Lord for an answer, it was no time at all until I had one. :) Thank you all so much for all your prayers, support, and encouragement. God is soooo good. All the time.

Love!
Philippians 4:4-7

Praying for More Patience

Can we just pray that God will open the door and my eyes this week?
That it will become clear what He wants me to do, and that I will not let my emotions carry me?

I want to learn to have joy in Him every day.
Serving isn't about feeling, it's about obedience.
I need to work on this.

Thank you so much. Love you all.

I was talking with a friend yesterday, about how to tell what’s next for your life… how do you know?? If you’re truly following God, He will open and close doors… I’m just always nervous I’m not looking at the right doors. As it is, I feel like being open to doing ANYTHING He tells me to is the key. I want to completely surrender myself to Him. This is so hard, sometimes, when it hurts a little, when it hurts a lot, when it’s scary. But I’m learning that if I’m not in His will… that’s even more scary and hurtful. I would rather be so blessed by chasing Him, running hard for Him.

In the conversation, I told my friend sometimes I don’t really care if I’m at home in the States or not. It doesn’t bother me to be away. I asked if that was normal, and kind of laughed, but what he said really struck me. He basically said that he thought that it IS normal, and that if everybody would really step out of their comfort zones and really go for it in missions for the Lord, that they would realize that they feel “normal,” or rather, “at home,” away from home, doing the Lord’s ministry. The Lord has given me that peace, even when I do feel out of my comfort zone, and that’s one way that I can know I am in His will.

The whole concept is very relieving. I’m an excellent worrier. But I know that the Lord is caring for me always, and within that, I have realized that includes giving me His peace when I am striving first and foremost to let Him shine through me. It goes full circle… and suddenly I have nothing to worry about. Wow. :)

I just have been amazed, and I wanted to share, and to encourage everyone to really seek after the Lord’s will for your life in THIS moment; strive to be content, happy, joyful in Him, and as a result, feel His glorious grace and peace.

"whatever You're doing
inside of me
it feels like chaos
but i believe
You're up to something
bigger than me

... all i can do is surrender."
-Sanctus Real

Prayer Pictures...

basketball team! Antonio and the girls





World Team member Kami and our friend Maria







Luisi and Patricia







David (in the middle) from Trujillo, and his buddies. We play futbol with them.






Journeyman team member: Timon







Hands-On Team Member David, and Fernando







Journeyman team member: Daniel








Journeyman team member: Paul