Excited about the unknown

This has been an emotional week, but it's ending on a higher note. Even though I don't know exacting what the next year will hold and I am a bit (ok, maybe more than a bit at times) apprehensive about the transitions, I am excited about what God has in store for me. I know that He is faithful and that His plans are so much better than mine - I just need to be faithful to follow and obey.

However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" 1 Cor. 2:9

Four years ago, even one year ago, I wouldn't have guessed that this is where I would be headed. I am thankful for God's leading and am excited to see what He has in store for me in this next adventure!

Also, God continues to provide financially - my support is currently at 48%!!

"Redeeming the time..." & Provision

One month from today, I will say good-bye to my family and get on an airplane. I will spend a week at orientation, and then fly directly from there to Germany. One month. I must admit the thought brings tears to my eyes. Three weeks of that month will be spent finishing my Master's Degree (there's a mountain of schoolwork I have to finish between now and then.) and wrapping up my Ohio life. Even though I always knew I wouldn't stay in Ohio forever, I'm realizing that my roots here are deeper than I previously realized or admitted. So I'm trying to "redeem the time" - make the most of the time I have left in the States....to finish school well but yet also make sure I spent time with family & friends and say good-bye adequately (but how does one do that?)....



Last weekend I went home to NY for my brother's college graduation. It was a wonderful time with family, but I was also reminded of God's provision. My car hit a blown-out tire that was in the highway (that's the short version of the story), but I am continually thankful for His provision - the situation could have been SO much worse.



Another example of God's provision in my life is how my support is coming in...I'm currently at 31%. I am most thankful for how God uses people to provide for my needs. I need to be at 75% before I can leave, but I am confident that God will provide, and I know that if He doesn't, then He has a better plan in mind. But moreso, I'm just trusting Him to provide.

The "lasts" have begun...

• To you, it's a black binder sitting on beige carpet. To me, it represents A LOT of work, and a milestone (hopefully) completed (unless I get it back for revision). What is it? My graduate portfolio and independent paper. It was due this past Wednesday; a feat that would not have been accomplished without the encouragement and prayers of many of you, and I MUST give a BIG thank you (or, GRACIAS, rather:) to my friend Sofia, who saved my sanity on Tuesday night and helped me realize I could do this! (Don't worry - we celebrated with chocolate ice cream on Wed. evening!)

• It has hit me this weekend that my time in OH will be over before I know it - I'm down to about a month left here. I'm starting that list of "lasts"...seeing & hanging out with people for the last time, etc. My sis and I hung out in OH for the last time on Fri....being in the same state as her this year has been a HUGE blessing, and something I will miss next year. CU graduation was this weekend, and I had some friends in town for that. I've seen them for the last time (for at least a year and a half or so...)
• I want to make the most of these lasts - to see people and hang out, to make the most of every moment, but yet finish school well. I'd much rather spend time with people than with books, but I must be diligent in my responsibilities!