Dark paths, Dark coasters, and the Light of God's Word

 Have you even been on a dark roller coaster? 

The kind where you strap yourself into the car and entrust it with your life as you are led around curves, loops, and drops that you don't see coming? 

This is what life has felt like the last two years. Despite our best efforts, my life with Milton has been very unexpected and unpredictable. At one point in this season, I looked at the following month. I didn't know which country I would be living in, who I would be living with, how I was going to get money to live, or whether I would be married or unmarried, among other life questions. I considered how I "should" be scared and uncertain. 

It is in this season that the Lord has taught me the depth of truth in Psalm 119:105:

"Your word is a light onto my feet and a light onto my path."

When you are walking on a dark path, the only thing you can see is what the light is showing you. You can't see the next turn, the dark cliff to the side, the animal lurking in the dark. You can only see the next step. Even typing this is giving me the heebeejeebees. 

Yet, a dark roller coaster sounds thrilling and exciting?! How???

Both the dark path and the dark roller coaster are essentially the same...I don't know where I'm going. I don't know what to expect when I get there. I don't know what surprises are waiting for me. 

But here's the difference. The dark roller coaster is a controlled path that has been tested. So when we get into that roller coaster car and strap ourselves in, we feel safe. We can trust the process. Even though we don't know the details, we know we will be okay and even enjoy the ride!

The Lord has helped me see that in my life. He is the trusted roller coaster car. When I look around to all the unexpected turns, drops, and loops, I become overwhelmed and miss the excitement and joy of the journey. When I focus on Him and know that I am definitely safe in His car, I can fully enjoy every twist, turn, and loop knowing that "I know how the story ends." (Thank you, Shane and Shane!)

May the Word of the Lord and the truth about Him that the Word reveals continue to guide our every step. We serve the Sovereign Creator of the Universe who loves us and cares for us. He will hold us and keep us to the end. 

"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." ~Philippians 1:6

15 more days until this earthly union <3

Undefinite amount of days until our heavenly one <3

Life is a journey...

"[Life] is a journey, but even the journey itself is joyful when I'm doing it holding the hand of my Savior and trusting him all along the way." ~Joyful Journey podcast introduction

The quote above opens one of my favorite podcasts. It reminds me that life can be full of adventure and unexpected turns, BUT the companion of the journey makes the experience worth every step. 

The other day I woke up in a panic. 

The list of things to do felt insurmountable and I didn't know how I was going to complete all those tasks with a worn-out body exhausted from the heat. 

I felt the Lord gently guide my eyes upward to him. "Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things." ~Colossians 3:2

It is a verse that has come back to mind many times in the last few months. 

I am adjusting to a new culture, a new language, a new profession, a new life stage, a new environment, new people, and so many other changes! I am planning a wedding, preparing for a marriage, planning, learning, and praying. Sometimes my mind is drawn to fear. Fear of messing up. Fear of saying the wrong thing or doing the wrong thing. Fear of offending others unintentionally. Fear of not loving well. 

When those moments come, the Lord gently reminds me to look UP. 

When I "look up" (sometimes figuratively, sometimes literally), I see my beautiful Savior holding the hand of a little girl...me. "I am right here with you," he reminds me (Matthew 28:20). 

I have a Father who is the Creator of the World (Genesis 1:1). I have a Savior who has volunteered to cover me with His righteousness if I trust Him with my sin (2 Corinthians 5:21). I have a Holy Spirit who is interceding for me (Romans 8:26-27). I have nothing to fear (Isaiah 41:10). 

As we reach the final days of the beautiful season of engagement and approach the beginning days of a lovely season of marriage, I want to keep my eyes focused on the One who loved me first and the One who loves me best (1 John 4:7). 

16 days!

"Auntie, is that your real hair?"

 Language is such a powerful tool. 

I was recently contributing to a teacher workshop in a nearby village. I was practicing speaking Gio (the local language) with some of the children. 

One child asked, "Auntie, is that your real hair?" 

I explained that it was and continued to practice my Gio. 

"A go Kwiplay" (I am from America.)

The little girl looked at me in surprise. She thought I was Liberian!

I don't know much Gio. I know how to greet someone, say my name, ask how someone is doing, and tell where I am from. But even the little that I do know was enough to instantly create connection. 

The other day, my love and I were talking about the Tower of Babel. We realized that when the language scattered, so did cultures. God created divisions among people because of their wicked, evil hearts to use unity to accomplish their own goal. Pride is such a pervasive evil, even in our own hearts today!

We continue to see the fall-out from that day as we struggle to understand and truly love those with different background, languages, and mindsets. 

But as we move through life, we seek to fix the error of our forefathers long ago and seek to be united in faith for the sake of God's glory. May God continue to be glorified! 

The good news is...restoration is coming! And we look forward to that day!

"After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from EVERY NATION, from ALL TRIBES and PEOPLES and LANGUAGES, standing before the throne and before the Lamb." ~Revelation 7:9