Stones of Remembrance

Hi everyone! Sorry it's been a little bit since my last post.
As you know, October 12th is drawing nearer and nearer! I'm still working and packing when I can. The suitcase is open and it is slowly filling. It is a little surreal. I'm not exactly sure when the reality of it all will sink in. Needless to say I am VERY excited about the trip. But this time of rest at home was much needed. I am so thankful that He knows what we need and provides accordingly. We can trust in Him fully :-).

In my last "full" post (other than my praise report update) I left a link to my e-mail address for those of you who might want to contact me with any praise stories or updates about what has been going on in your life. To my delight, there were some replies from people I hadn't heard from in years! It was such a treat to get to catch up with them and hear the "glory stories" that He creating in their lives. So please do not hesitate to do the same! I would love to hear from you. I will post the link again.

While I have been waiting to travel, I've been gathering things here and there that I "think" I might need. I decided to ask the couple that I will be working with if they needed anything from the States. Here is a list below of a few of their requests- you may be surprised to find that these items cannot be purchased readily in Spain.

-Canned Cranberries (for the holiday meals coming up)
-Vitamin supplements (Zinc, B, CoQ10)
-Ibuprofen
-Dove dark chocolate :-)
-Dental floss

So if you find yourself traveling overseas anytime soon, be sure to ask if there is anything you can bring with you. Sometimes the smallest of things bring the most comfort.

On a more serious note...For those who know me well, you know that I usually run a fairly hectic schedule. Well, not so these past few weeks. Don't get me wrong- I am enjoying every bit of the R&R. But I must confess I hardly know what to do with myself. I have work, time with friends and family, and time to rest and relax. But there is something missing. These "limbo" periods are always awkward. Those nondescript yet essential times in a persons life when you find yourself struggling to maintain the normalcy you've always known while trying to embrace the change you know is inevitable. So here I am...swinging out over the chasm again- waiting for my feet to find that familiar substance beneath them.
But!!! I will add that upon my arrival home I asked that the Lord bring me to a place of stillness so as to prepare and energize me for the work that he would put my hands to in Spain. I think I'm there...just a couple more weeks to go :-)

 Speaking of answered prayer... I was talking with my mom tonight and the subject of my graduation came up. It is no secret that my entire college career has been an offering to the One who carried it but tonight we found ourselves once again marveling how quickly He worked. I transferred after my first semester of college, completely changed the direction of my major, resurrected my GPA from the dead, and learned to listen to the voice of God again...in three years...total. Tonight, I was reminded of all of the "little things" that happened along the way that were gentle reminders that His eyes had not left my "unformed" being. He saw what I could be... Now, I certainly cannot deny the hard work and determination that went into every single one of those three years. However, I am convinced that there is absolutely no way that I could have accomplished all that I did without divine intervention. There were numerous clep tests that HAD to be passed and administrative obstacles that HAD to be overcome. He cleared the way. He fought for me. There were a few professors I was convinced had the hearts of Pharaoh so I know there was Someone pulling some serious strings :-). So when the final paper was submitted (literally midnight before graduation day) and my cap and gown in place- I couldn't help but place this great honor back at His feet again. It all belonged to him anyway.

Naturally, these were sweet thoughts to reminisce and they reminded me of the importance of stones. Once upon a time men were commanded to gather stones and erect a memorial- a memorial to remember. So that when your children look upon these stones they will ask, "What are these stones for?" And you will remember what the Lord has done for you and this people. So, in part, this is my memorial- a testimony to all who read this of what the Lord has done.

What about you? Maybe you are in limbo like me...waiting to be obedient to the next phase He has called you too. Maybe this is the time to remember all that he has done for you...