In the last month it's been quite an interesting battle. My family went on an 8 day vacation to Minneapolis, MI: Escanaba, MI: Sue Saint Marie *sp* , Canada: and Silver Lake, MI.
This vacation seemed to get the best of me on the days the our car battery died, we got a speeding ticket, and KOA wouldn't take our credit card in Canada. Or on the day the Finnfest was not as enjoyable as we all would've liked it to be and I felt I could've done so much more with my friends at home. BUT- God was there, and He was good. And on those days, by the end, I turned back to Him each time, and surrendered once more saying, "In your perfect timing, I will hang out with my friends enough, and thank you for having me come on this vacation because I was not hanging with my family enough."
Coming home from that, my best friend, Sami, came over for 10 days. 10 of the funniest days, happiest moments, and craziest stunts of the summer. Including many things on the List of Things to Do; a day planning The Road Trip out west next summer with Alan; and a game of Scrabble with my grandparents that came from Maine. In this time, I was able to see God clearly, because Sami and I did devotions each morning. But more than growing, I just enjoyed the gift of Sami that God has given me. Each time I'm with her, that is what it is. For 10 days, I enjoyed life and love radiating and pouring out from all directions.
After Sami left, I didn't know what to do with myself. And after a few days of non-stop catching up busyness I sat down with my Father and talked everything through with Him. Rightly dividing things I had heard and thought were true against the Bible, which is All Truth. I also talked with Him, and surrendered to Him all that was going to happen while my friends were in school.
At first, I had honestly wanted to leave as soon as possible so I wouldn't be here, because I felt it would be a harder challenge to stay home while they were in school, like a sitting duck, rather than being in Indonesia experiencing God's love and power in a different way. But, God worked it out.
Yesterday morning I have breakfast with my great dancing friend, Elise, and realized she wasn't doing anything but hanging out at home too until IUSB started in September. This rocked my world as I saw God working out details for this week right before my eyes. We both got out our schedules and set up things to do together this week. God is so good, in His perfect timing it all came together.
Last night I prayed for a while for their first day of school, especially the friends that will sincerely miss my presence in the hallways of MHS. That is will be tough for them, knowing what is missing. I also prayed for me, to dig into God's word more each day, which I've started doing :) and be with Him, and let Him direct my day, since I honestly don't know what I'm doing.
I realized the other day on a bike ride with Alan, that there are many different spiritual gifts. One of mine would be praying out loud and I'm wondering if God will use that, or stretch that gift over in Indonesia. I know for sure that my joy will definitely be stretched there. Because when it is gone, or when He takes it away-if He does, it will be a test to see my reaction and how founded I am on His truth and Word to still trust and know He is good even when I am not happy.
Other than spiritual wise, I am doing amazing. Alan is great. My family is wonderful. And having Sami here was a blessing.
With Indonesia paperwork, we had recieved the Visa application and got it into the wind to my travel agent.
Then we found out that my travel agent in Indonesia used my Finnish passport- which I'm not sure how he got- to do confirmation forms over there, I believe, and now my travel agent here needs my Finnish passport. This can get a little hairy if the Rotary would rather not have one of their students flying under the passport of another country, because I am representing the USA.
Financially, I have $700 to go. We had a car wash that raised $114 this past saturday and I would like to quickly shout out the biggest thank you from the bottom of my toes to each one who came to help. You made my day for coming, really :) I have been and will continue calling businesses that have already helped out with MHS yearbooks, *this was Sami's brilliant plan*. And my packing is coming along quite well. I do need to bring tampons, says my THIRD HOST FAMILY SISTER.
Yep, I finally have a third host family. I don't know much about them, but I have a sister who is my age and just came back from the USA. This will be very interesting. I just hope I have enough gifts. I don't think I'll be bringing many clothes... Maybe 2/3 weeks worth... They say you don't actually need much anyway.
I will be bringing this laptop though :) the new one my Dad got me for my graduation/birthday/foreign exchange. Skype has not been set up yet, but hopefully it will be today or tomorrow.
Okay this is so long. I apologize, but a month is a long time :) I'll get better, promise.
With Love!
Romans 12:2
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may be able to understand God's will for your life, which is good and pleasing and perfect".