Direction, once more!

I am too tired to go into too many details, but seeing as I left my journal in the U.S. to save space in my suitcase, I wanted to write some of these things down and record my feelings, thoughts to maybe copy later into my other journal. I am very tired.

But anyways two days ago I heard back from a camp that I had applied to for a year-long internship. They sent me two lines letting me know they weren't going to hire me and told me they were going to proceed with other applicants who were "more suited to their needs". I was pretty sad about the whole thing because I had really wanted it and sensed God was maybe leading me in that direction. But realizing that crying about it wasn't going to change a thing, I decided to just move on, look up, look forward and not worry about it.

Two days later I am amazed at all that has taken place. I'm only down here in Venezuela for two short weeks just to help my family move and go to my sister's graduation, (or so I thought) but clearly God has his own plans. Today I spent several hours talking with a missionary couple down here. My family has known them for what seems like forever. My parents met the wife on their first visit to Venezuela before they even went to language school in Costa Rica. I was probably 2 at the time. It really is a whole long story. But the point of the story is, they were sharing with me the vision they have for the work they are doing here in Venezuela. The passion and excitement they have is contagious. As they shared about where God was leading them and the specific needs they had I got more and more interested. They essentially are trying to put a system/program in place to train up Venezuelan missionaries to send to the 10/40 window. I can go into more details about that later...it's so very exciting and brilliant!

I am nearly ready to fall asleep, but just want to say that in a year or so I may find myself returning to Venezuela to join their team. (I'm inserting this comment here to say that since I first wrote this I have realized it will most likely be several years as I need to get different types of training and pay off my college debt). There are many many other things that seem to line up perfectly with how I have sensed God leading me and the training and skills I have acquired up to this point. Direction, purpose - something to aim for, what a wonderful, joyous blessing! But as always, this will only happen if it is the Lord's will. So now is the time to pray and seek out his leading. Still, if signposts continue to be as clear as the conversation today...I won't need much more convincing!

Cool Factor.

On a scale of 1 to 10, I'd have to say my Dad is a 10 when it comes to coolness :)

Check this out:

Photoshop fun

I've had a lot of time on my hands since Wednesday was my last day of work so I've taken a break from packing and whatnot to play around in Photoshop. I'll share some of the pictures here.

Also, at the senior's Grad Bash yesterday I ran into two guys that have worked at Horn Creek through VT's Cru Chapter! It was pretty cool hearing them talk about it and how amazing of an experience they had. Still hoping I get picked!


Abby fall festival '07



MAE @ VT for Grad Bash





Best MAE fan

Waiting, still waiting - but with such hope!

I am waiting to hear back from Horn Creek about whether or not they will offer me a position as an intern. Waiting is so hard, but I'm doing my best. I know God is good. He will catch me whenever I fall and he is a solid rock that will not wash away. Waiting on God is a winwin situation because he never fails! The exciting part is that I can expect good things from him and can also be confidant that I will receive them! Even if at first I may not understand my circumstances, time reveals the careful, perfect craftmanship of a heavenly Father who loves me dearly.

This quote is phenom. "We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations."
~ Chuck Swindoll. Got to remember that.

In view of these things, if I am not offered a position at Horn Creek, surely there is something else. Regardless of what goes down in the next couple of weeks, I am thrilled to find myself being realigned with the core of who I am, who I was created to be. God wants for me to do those things he himself has given me a desire for, that which I am overwhelmed with a passion for.

A little over a year ago I was staring down at shattered pieces of my life. Here's a post describing my feelings at the time. Today I am whole, looking up and forward, something I hardly imagined I would do once again. I have joy and I have desire and I have determination. I am blessed in excess. Thank you dear Father, for your tender mercies!

All I once held dear

I've had no words of my own lately to express my thoughts or feelings. This song by Graham Kendrick tonight says it best.

All I once held dear, built my life upon
All this world reveres, and wars to own
All I once thought gain I have counted loss
Spent and worthless now, compared to this

Knowing you, Jesus
Knowing you, there is no greater thing
You're my all, you're the best
You're my joy, my righteousness
And I love you, Lord

Now my heart's desire is to know you more
To be found in you and known as yours
To possess by faith what I could not earn
All-surpassing gift of righteousness

Oh, to know the power of your risen life
And to know you in your sufferings
To become like you in your death, my Lord
So with you to live and never die