Good morning, everyone!
I was naughty and slept in this weekend but even though it’s wrong, it felt so right! I just wanted to update you on some things that have been going on.
I’ve been running so much lately. I haven’t been super focused on not eating chocolate and sweets but I am noticing much more definition in my body - quads and abs mainly = very cool. I’m still planning on treating myself to some legit running shoes at the end of the month as long as I keep doing it. I’m trying to plan my running schedule around my classes so I can go to the campus gym just because I think I’ll be working this year so I’ll have limited time after I get out of school. Meh.
Another thing that’s been kind of exciting is that Matt and I have decided that after our lease is up, we will (hopefully) be buying a house. SO excited, I can’t even tell you! We don’t really know what the entire process is like for that so I’ve been casually researching (we do have 10 months left in our lease so we do have some time) and talking to friends and family about the steps. The first thing that we’re working on doing is saving money for a down payment as well as the closing costs (so expensive!) but I’m really excited about the possibilities. We’ve been looking at HUD/foreclosed homes, which are so reasonable in price. Matt and I are really into the idea of fixing up a place and making it ours. A lot to think about and who knows what the job market/housing market will look like at that time.
Another thing that’s exciting right now is that I’m hunting for a part-time job. I applied at the place that I’ve been doing my fieldwork and I feel pretty good about my chances. I’m pretty willing to go just about anywhere close to where I live to get a job, but right now it’s a waiting game.
Otherwise, that’s basically it. We’re just living our life and trying to make things work. Matt’s been looking for a full-time job for a while now so hopefully something will come up.
I’ve had a really complaining spirit lately. Being a young, married couple is super frustrating just due to the fact that I’m still in school and not working at my professional career yet. God has really been patient with me and has been walking me through this in my mind. He reminded me yesterday that even though it may feel like we’re alone, we’re absolutely not! He has placed such amazing friends and family in our lives that just encourage us every day. He has His arms around us and won’t let us fall. Things may not go to plan (even the new plan) but God will never forsake us. He is with us even in the worst moments imaginable.
I hope that this post was encouraging to you. If you have any questions about running or thinking about first time home buying, ask away, I’ll do the best I can to answer what’s been working for us.
Have a beautiful Monday!
So I’ve been thinking about writing a post like this for a while now. I have this verse stuck in my head:
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” - Isaiah 52:7
Mostly I keep thinking about “blessed are the feet that bring good news…” I love that verse. For me, it’s about serving God and living your life (whatever that looks like) with purpose.
I’ve been feeling down on myself a lot lately just because I see how boring I am and how boring my life is at this point. Like everyone is having these awesome adventures or if they’re not having adventures, they have big plans, and I’m stuck in my little world, being me, loving the Lord, but feeling forgotten. I have been praying for God to reveal to me what my purpose is… if I’m going to be living an exciting life or if it’s my lot to be boring. And I feel like for now at least, He is silent.
Or He was, until the other night when I was running with Matt. I was thinking about how I wanted to write a post about my struggles with this issue to offer some support to those who maybe feel the same way and I felt struck by the idea that it’s okay if I’m not called to evangelize to orphans in New Guinea or if I never get to go to India like I want to, God doesn’t love me less because I’m “boring.” He planned this life for me and whether He has plans for me in the future, this is the life I’m meant to live right now.
This season of my life has taught me a lot. Last year at this time, I was learning about obedience - doing God’s will even if I can’t see the big picture. It turned out alright, actually it was the best thing that could have happened to Matt and I (I am talking about our impromptu wedding) and I feel like we were blessed abundantly for following His will. During this season, I feel like we’re learning an important lesson about sacrifice and patience. Patience is not my strong suit, as I’m sure you may have guessed. I think that right now, God’s silence in this matter is actually a pretty clear answer: Wait. Be present in this time and be patient.
So, I want to be an encouragement to those of you who feel like you’ve been forgotten by God, for those of you who want to hear the call but haven’t. You can be Jesus in your every day life. The verse that I quoted above doesn’t say “Blessed are the feet that do great lengths to preach the good news” nor does it say “For God so loved only those that were called into missions that He sent His one and only Son into the world…” You can show others the power of God’s love through your every day interactions. For me, this means loving on my residents in a way that is selfless and giving. I want them to feel special and cared for. For them, I am showing them a glimpse of Jesus in a tough time during their life.
I am so grateful that there are people in the world who are called into missions. My friend happens to be one of them. She has such a heart for serving that it’s so inspiring to me. But don’t be fooled into thinking that everyone is called to serve in the same way. Be open to what God has in store for you. Who knows? He might just call you when you’re least expecting it or when you’re more prepared.
I hope this helps! Have a blessed weekend!
