Rainy day thoughts...

Hi friends,

It's a very stormy evening here in Tabuk and I am happily curled up with tea and some thoughts to share.

I often find it hard to write blogs, or updates of any sort really.  It sometimes difficult to explain the intricacies of life here. I want to be as honest and transparent as I can, yet often lack the words that will make sense. Yet,  I want it to make sense.  I want you all to be able to understand a bit of what God is doing here and the things that I am experiencing... So please bear with me :)

I remember when I was preparing to come here. Way back when I was first sending my application. I remember sending it off and thinking 'phew! The hard part is over'. Then came the waiting for an answer,  another hard part.  Then the acceptance and figuring out how this was going to work... Hard part.  Then the fundraising,  you guessed it... VERY hard part. It just continued like that.  I remember venting to a friend about wishing all the hard parts would be done and I could just enjoy it.  I also still remember the look she gave me and I'm sure she was thinking 'she thinks THIS is the hard part?! She's in for a treat'. At least that's what the facial expression said.

It honestly just gets harder... Yet more enjoyable at the same time so don't start worrying about me :)
It's hard to be in an unfamiliar place around people (who are awesome!!) who you are just getting to know.
It's hard to live in a place where you are the outsider. Where you don't speak the language (though we are learning).
It's hard to learn to love and communicate with mothers who you don't understand and who don't understand you.
It's hard to continually trust that God is going to provide finances to make this all possible... Especially when emergencies come up (like broken computers and immigration bills all at the same time. Gotta love it!).
It's hard to be here when things are happening with people I love that break my heart and I feel powerless.
It's hard to miss things happening in the lives of people I love.

But, with all that being said,  I wouldn't trade it for anything. I know that things aren't always easy,  but I serve a God who wants to carry my burdens(Psalm 55:22). I serve a God who is sovereign(Psalm 103:19). Who knows the plan when I loose sight(Jeremiah 29:11). A God who is strength in my weakness(2 Corinthians 12:9-10).  Who is faithful even when I am faithless(2 Timothy 2:13). A God whos promises endure forever(Psalm 100:5).  And I am so thankful for the journey that he has me on... Even when it's hard.

There is a song that's been on my mind all day and has been such a great reminder to me.  It's called Sovereign Over Us by Aaron Keys and I'll post it below for you just in case you need the reminder too :)

So, those are my thoughts for tonight.  Thanks for reading!
I hope you are well...  And that you have a Happy Thanksgiving! Eat an extra piece of pumpkin pie for me.

Much love,
A


Prayer requests:
- for the health of the women and babies we see.
- traveling safety for a couple students that are headed up here from Davao (there are Typhoon warnings).
- for continued financial provision...  And maybe that there would be a stellar deal on a computer that will work for me here :)  I go tomorrow to look.


Click this for the song:
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EufaligPigU