We are officially 2 1/2 weeks away from our departure for Africa. We leave July 21st and will be returning August 31st. It is completely surreal to think we are actually going, and SOON! I'm excited and terrified all at the same time.
There is still so much to do before then that we really can't figure out how it will all get done... but this morning, I am resting in the truth that "He who calls us is faithful; He will surely do it." That being said, we desperately need prayer right now. The last few weeks have been so busy, and just plain hard. Our schedules have been nonstop for about 2 weeks straight. I have had 2 bridal showers, we hosted a wedding BBQ for some dear friends, I taught the dance classes at High Five for a week (our church's version of VBS) plus still met with clients at work. On Sunday, I helped the kids to perform at both church services. I have had dance practice each week and this week we had the privilege of having Nathan's parents visit. Nathan's truck broke down with over $2000 of needed repairs, he has been working about 50+ hours a week, our car is starting to have engine problems, all while still trying to finish booking flights (15 flights total for our whole trip), getting our visa application submitted for Mozambique, finding accommodations for places we are overnighting in, getting vaccinations, and there is still SO MUCH MORE TO DO! On top of that, it's like Satan just knows what buttons to push and how to get under our skin to make us frustrated and distracted. This past Wednesday, I finally had a meltdown. A dear friend of mine at dance practice came over and gave me one of the best hugs ever... It was one of those hugs that, if you are on the verge of tears, will bring on the tears no matter how much you try to hold them back. It warmed my heart, but at the same time it brought forth all the flood of emotions I have been trying to suppress for the last two weeks. I calmly stole away to the bathroom, and then proceeded to have a mini panic attack/meltdown/really ugly cry. I wish I could say I have a glorious story of God's giving me and Nathan the grace to handle the last two weeks, but the truth is we have struggled. We are so busy that we don't have a lot of time for each other - time without everything we still have to do weighing on us - nor have we had a lot of time to pray. In the midst of it, God has seemed so far away, even though I know He has been with us every step of the way. Yesterday morning, Nathan prayed for the Lord to help us put on the armor of God again. My small group girls have been praying and encouraging me every time I reach out to them. Finally, something broke. I was able to pray again. We were able to laugh again. We were able to start believing God's promises for us again, and we were able to really love people again. Let's face it... when you struggle like that, loving people is hard. When our hearts are hardened and not trusting God, they become selfish and self focused. It's a dark and dangerous state to be in. Praise God He doesn't let us stay there unless we choose to! Why am I sharing this? Sometimes I think we like to share the struggles with the awesome victories that are powerful testimonies... but it can tempt us into thinking that if we struggle and don't see those victories pretty quickly that we are to blame. Maybe we are. But maybe the Lord just wants to teach us to persevere. Maybe He just wants us to remember how dark the darkness is without His light. Maybe He wants to fortify our faith by having to believe His promises in our mind when we don't "feel" all zealous and empowered and excited about Jesus. Maybe we just need to learn how to use our armor and our sword of the Spirit more, and we can't learn that without having something to fight through. I'm learning to trust God when I don't feel like trusting God. I'm learning to be okay with waiting for Him to answer, and not having to figure out what I'm doing wrong. I'm learning to repent ALL THE TIME for the sins in my thoughts. And I'm learning to just simply remember who God is and that He is for me and not against me. He will never leave me or forsake me, even when He feels so far away. I pray He will teach you that too... and I pray He will help us to be more fortified in our faith. Please pray for us as the Lord leads you to over the next couple of weeks. We need the mighty hand of God upon us to get everything in order with our businesses, our home, and finalizing things with our trip. In the next two weeks, we also have two weekend trips we will be taking - one for a wedding, the other for a loved one's big celebration- plus a dance show on July 12th that I will be performing in (you should come!!). Time is short, but God is mighty! Please pray with us. Many people continue to ask us what we still need. Right now, we just need a few things:
I'm sure we will find more things we need over the next few weeks, but this is what we can think of at the moment. If you would like to let us borrow anything, keep in mind that it will be going to Africa, and MIGHT NOT make it home to you. Thank you for joining with us on this journey! We know God has great things He is doing in Malawi and Mozambique, and we are so excited to go be a part of it! “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:9
1 Comment
Elaine Woodard
7/4/2015 11:07:01 am
Dearest Laura, my daughter-in-love, thank you for squeezing us into your VERY busy schedule this past week. I know the timing was not good, but we NEEDED to see you. SO glad the Lord led you both to break through any walls of resistance that would attempt to discourage you. Will definitely keep you both in prayer. Much love.
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