The Ups and Downs

So much has happened in the last month… in the last week and really, if I’m honest, in the last 36 hours!

In the past month, God has been working on my heart, preparing me. There were some things in my long ago past which needed to surface so I could deal with them, move on, and serve the Lord whole-heartedly. It is something that I wanted to leave on the dusty shelf it has been sitting on for more of my life than not. God, ever so gently, took this out of the shadows, wiped away the cobwebs, and placed it in front of me. I had a choice to make. Put it back on the shelf as it became heavier and heavier or deal with it the way the Lord wanted me to. After much debate within myself (and with God), I decided on the latter. I slowly devised a plan, leaning on the Lord and allowing Him to guide me. For those of you who know me at all, you know that when I plan something, I am going to stick to it with everything I have. Knowing this was God leading the planning, I held even more conviction to the way I was going to handle it. I started out on this journey, thinking I’d been shown every step of this future plan and how it would all work. However, after I took a few baby steps, I knew there would be a much larger leap. I thought I knew what would happen after that leap. I took this giant leap but the other side wasn’t shown to have so many roads about it, like I had originally thought. I froze, seeking the Lord for guidance and trusting those He placed in my life at this particular point (after the leap). I knew I needed to proceed with caution as this was unforeseen territory. As I sluggishly continued down a particular unplanned path, I was overcome with emotions that I wanted to get rid of as quickly as they showed up… I just couldn’t shake them. I couldn’t stop walking along this journey of life, nor this particular path, because, well… life simply goes on. Life has since gone one and I am filled with joy that I know only comes from the Lord. I am overwhelmed by His love, grace, mercy, and friendship. He held me close to His side through those dark weeks that I thought would never end.

However, joy comes in the morning! And does it ever!!

Towards the end of February, I was selling my t-shirts and a girl I go to school with asked where I was going so I told her. She informed me that her church back at home (Allen, TX) has connections with people in Czech! She told me she would try to get me more information so I would be able to have a contact when I get there. Fast forward a month… I hadn’t heard anything from my friend so I sent her a message. She replied and gave the mission’s coordinator’s info so I could contact her. I immediately emailed her (Wednesday night), in all my excitement, asking for the contact info of anyone in Czech she could put me in contact with. I received an email from her when I got out of taking my content (BIG TEACHER TEST!) Thursday afternoon. I ever so patiently waited until I got home to open it. She not only gave me his information, she invited me to go with their group on a mission trip to Czech THIS SUMMER!!!!!

I asked about cost and before she even replied, I tried calling about 5 people so I could talk to them about this; however, NO ONE ANSWERED!! God wanted me to seek HIM first!! So, after trying things my way and every one of my attempts being futile, I decided to spend time seeking Him! When I had prayed like crazy about what He wanted me to do and where He was leading me, one of my friends called me back! Then another… then another! I talked to my parents about it and they were supportive (which is a HUGE blessing!). I found out the rough price and realized I had that in the bank already from fundraising so far!

I call the travel agent the church group is going with today and find out that airfare prices are probably going to skyrocket on Monday! She got me a missionary discount on the same flight as the group I’m going with AND sitting with them. I paid for my ticket today and I am officially going to Czech for 12 days!!! I can hardly wait!!

Also, I passed my content test which means I am officially certified to TEACH!!!!

It has been beyond an exciting, exhilarating, crazy, joyous day and a half!

Things you can be praying for:

-I will get my passport stuff taken care of ASAP!

-I would continue to be willing to allow God to lead me!

-God would be honored and pleased!

-This semester would end smoothly!

Thank you for your support, prayers and love! 

Following Him,

Tia