God is...

A song keeps ringing through my head this week, and it goes something like this: "God is... the strength of my heart, and my portion forever."

This week has been a busy one as far as our "official" application process with our sender. Email addresses and/or phone numbers haven't worked, and we've had to track down Tom's old supervisor. The devil is trying, unsuccessfully, to get us distracted.

As most know, Tom was laid off in February (which, of course, was part of God's plan), along with all but a handful of workers. He had no contact with any of his supervisors, his employer, etc. His former company is going bankrupt financially, while they've been bankrupt spiritually for a LONG time.

Our missionary sending "company" needed a reference from either a former supervisor, or a teacher. Well, he doesn't start school for another week, so teacher would be out. So, he tried to get ahold of his supervisor. Calls to the company went un-returned. Calls to the sup.s house were unsuccessful, as all of the numbers had been disconnected. So, we were stuck not knowing what to do next.

BUT GOD IS IN CONTROL ALWAYS, and my portion forever.

Tom went to pick Brooke up from school. Who was in the parking lot? Tom's supervisor, whom he had not seen since his last day at work, over 6 months ago!! So, after a nice conversation, we now have all of the information, and he is excited to give Tom his reference.

So, why in the world were we stressing, even just a little bit?? Why in the world are WE trying to get all of this fixed ourselves? Because, the key is in the first part of the question! We are still trying to live IN THE WORLD, not in God!! Even as far as we've come in our faith, WE are still trying...and not relying on GOD'S DOING!! How many times do we need to get this straight? 7X? or 7 X 7X?? or even 777X777X???

We keep running through the list of things to do, before we leave. I know that it is a while in the future still, but I have a LOT of stuff to get done. House to sell, horses to find homes, 30 years of STUFF to go through, and this is just the physical stuff. We still have a ton of legal work to do (and spiritual). We have an entire garage full of STUFF to find a place for. Most will go to the Goodwill, but I still have to go through it. We even have some boxes that we've never even unpacked from when we first moved here, over 10 years ago. Goes to show you how important it all is...lol.

I'm just going to keep singing, and keep praying, and keep on keeping on...because "God IS"!

It's official!

You know, when we first said "hoping to depart in about 2 years", we thought that was a long time in the future. After all, other than some daydreaming, most of us don't plan what we will be actually doing in two years. Then before you know it, BAM, we are now at a 6 month anniversary of God's calling to our family!!

This week we are filling out our official application for our sending party, having filled out a similar one for our home church two weeks ago.

When you read statements like "I understand that (sender) has a policy that they will NOT pay ransom for any person who may be kidnapped or held hostage while serving with them", it really wakes you up. This IS real. WOW, we are REALLY going to do this.

It's so wonderful, and scary, and thrilling, and sad, all on one awesome package. God is in control!

But you know what?? As I re-read that last quote, I realized that although our earthly sender won't pay a ransom for me, our Heavenly Sender already has!!

He gave all He had for me!! Now, He's asking that I do the same for Him. How can I refuse that??! I love my God. He is awesome! He is my true LOVE! He is my life!

I can't wait to share that!