Right Where He Wants Me

Three years. That is how long I have been in college and how long I have officially been in the process of my journey in pursuing nursing.

   When I was about fourteen years old I knew that the Lord was calling me to help others and it wasn't until I was probably seventeen that I knew I wanted to do nursing. After living in Africa and seeing the malnourished people and those living with HIV/AIDS and the lack of medical attention broke my heart and I knew two things: I was suppose to help people's physical needs and I was suppose to do so in Africa.
   I was very eager to begin my education in college so that I could become a nurse and go back to Africa to help people as soon as I could! My first year was filled with general education classes. My second year I started taking prerequisite classes for the Nursing Programme at CofO. I was slowly but surely getting closer to becoming a nurse! Once I transferred schools I felt I was getting behind in what the Lord had planned for me and it frustrated me so much that I almost quit school altogether. The Lord kindly would remind me that He had a plan for me and it was all in His timing.
   My fifth semester of college I applied for OTC's Nursing Programme for the spring and if you have read any previous posts of mine you know that I was not accepted. It was disappointing and a little discouraging, but I did know the Lord had a reason that I could not quite see yet. As I took beneficial classes my sixth semester, the Lord revealed to me some reasons why He did not allow me to start the programme that semester:

• He allowed me to make a friendship with a classmate, who halfway through the semester found out she had breast cancer and I have been able to pray for her 
• He knew the commute would have been very hard on me financially, as I was not getting many hours at my job 
• He blessed me with time to pour into others as well as the time to focus on my family returning to the states and being able to visit with them 
• He grew me in ways I didn't even know I needed growth through my Bible study I was apart of

And many other things.

   As my sixth semester was coming to an end, I was re-applying for OTC's Nursing Programme in hopes that I would get in this time. I knew that I could have complete faith in making it in, but I felt that I needed to look into some backup plans and seek the Lord in which path He might put me on next.
   Doing some research I began to look into the EMT course OTC provided and started my application process. I also looked at what classes I had taken and figured out that I would only have to take five more classes to be able to achieve in getting my A.A. My thinking? Even if I do not use my A.A. at least I would hit a milestone and would have accomplished and finished college for the time being with something. I am not the highest achieving person and am very satisfied with the little and simple things for myself, so being an EMT or having my A.A. sounded fine to me. And honestly. it sounded more appealing than having to go through the nursing programme. It sounded easier and less intimidating.

   As my nursing interview was approaching I was praying earnestly for the Lord's provision and for His peace and discernment and contentment with whatever He had plan for me. I began to think, "Maybe the Lord was leading me to believe something (becoming a nurse), but had something entirely different for me that I never thought imaginable (the unseen) ." I did not have high hopes in my making it into the nursing programme and secretly hoped I wouldn't get in. Looking back I know that that was Satan putting fear of failing in me.
   My nursing interview went very well and I had such peace through the whole process. My hands were open wide to the Lord and I surrendered my future to Him. I knew that once I found out if I made it into the programme or not, that that would be the Lord beginning to redirect my route in life.

I was accepted. That moment was one of the scariest moments. As I retrieved my large yellow envelope from the mailbox, I cried and prayed over the envelope before I opened it. I knew that the contents would be the answer I had been seeking from the Lord. Do I continue to pursue nursing? Or do I pursue something different? 'Congratulations! You have been accepted for the fall 2014 LPN programme at OTC.' At that moment the Lord's confirmation on His will for my life was right in front of my face.

   I am honestly in awe of His blessing. I feel I do not deserve a spot in the programme, but I also feel like with all of my persistence I should accept this blessing and take this next step in life, because He has opened up the door for me to continue this journey He has for me.

   I begin this new journey in life 15th August 2014. Am I scared? Absolutely! But I am also more confident than ever before and more determined because I am just that much closer to being able to pursue my calling the Lord has for me - to help people's physical needs in Africa.

"You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of Your presence and the pleasures of living with You forever." Psalm 16:11

The Long Awaited Reunion

   Last Wednesday I was reunited with my parents and brother after a long 1 1/2 years of not seeing them and a long 3 years of them being out of the states. It was a sweet moment filled with happy tears.

   I took the four hour drive to St Louis to pick up my family from the airport after their 30+ hours of traveling. After an extra 20 minute delay in their flight, my parents, brother and I shared hugs after a long 464 days from our last hugs. Our dear family friend, along with his grandson, and former youth pastor were there to welcome back my family and it was so sweet of them to take the time to do so. Once greetings were given out, we headed to the carousel to retrieve their six pieces of luggage, went to the vehicles to load up and headed to the mission house they would be staying at for the next week, before they headed to Kansas City for the rest of their stay until September.
   On our way back to the house we took a trip down memory lane and drove by all the familiar places in the place we once called home. As we drove up to the mission house there was a small group of people standing outside waiting to welcome back my family! It was so kind of everyone to take the time to show their love for my family and be present at their arrival. I know my family greatly appreciated such thoughtfulness.

   My family has adjusted well to the time difference, the American culture, driving on the right side of the road and so much more. I have enjoyed being able to have so much quality time with them this past week and I look forward to having even more these next four months! This will be a good time for debriefing, sharing, resting and visiting for my family. They have sacrificed so much and deserve this time they have been blessed with. I appreciate all that they do and know the Lord has them where He wants them.

 

Three Years Later - Reunited!

   Exactly twelve days and twenty-three hours from now my parents and younger brother will be returning to the states from South Africa after serving there for three years. It has been one and a half years, or 464 days, since I have seen them (from when I went home Christmas 2012) and I am eager to see them. It has been three years since my two older siblings have seen my parents and Luke, and I know everyone is looking forward to having our family together again. The closer it gets, the harder it gets.
   When I tell people that half of my family is 9,000 miles away, on a different continent, they feel bad or shocked that I only see them once every year and a half and some feel sorry for me that I don't have my family close by. To be completely honest, yes, it has been difficult having to figure out how to live on my own and support myself and not have access to a hug anytime I want from my dad and mom or have the privilege of calling them up or stop in just to say 'hey!', but it has also been so rewarding. I have grown in so many areas of my life these last three years and I am beyond thankful. The Lord has certainly helped me in dealing with this and I know that without Him in my life I would be lost in this world. He has certainly made me more dependent on Him then ever before.
  I struggle with loneliness and the Lord has been so kind to me and has taught me that He is enough for me and fulfilling. He has helped me appreciate the people He has brought into my life who help me deal with my loneliness as well as appreciate alone times, when I can appreciate His presence alone. I have also come to not take for granted the times I get when I get to Skype with my parents twice a month (due to busy schedules and time differences). We share a lot of e-mails and receive an sms from one another every once in awhile. I treasure the conversations the Lord has blessed us with and the time He has given us to do so.
   It has been beautiful to see my parents and Luke serving others in a different country, on a different continent and totally different culture. I have seen each one of their growth in the Lord from afar and that alone is worth the sacrifice. To see and hear the different ways the Lord is using them and what He is teaching them is worth the sacrifice. He has use for anyone no matter where they are at, but right now He is using them SO much where they are at.
   I am grateful for the opportunity of experiencing life overseas with them for two years and know the blessings that occur while serving the Lord as well has the hardships and sacrifices of it. I have been on both sides of the glass and I've learned that no matter which side I'm on the Lord teaches me new things everyday and grows me in ways I never thought imaginable.
   There are no words I could use to express how proud I am of my parents and Luke for making the sacrifice that they do so that they can bring others to Christ and further His Kingdom! This is what God has called us to do! Not everyone is called to live and serve overseas, but we should be serving others and sharing Christ with people wherever we are!