I'm so sorry that I haven't updated this. My life has been incredibly busy, and I wasn't sure what to say about everything that has happened lately. I'm still not sure I have anything wonderful to say, but still thought it was time for an update.
First of all thank you all so much for your prayers and support. If you would like to view my final project through the video course you can go here: https://vimeo.com/64834836 Yes, the frozen shot before you click play is awful... but I hadn't figured out how to save a specific frame as the thumbnail yet! :-)
As you are all aware, I was unable to go to Thailand due to being admitted to ICU. However the team did an AMAZING job with their goal and the project came out quite well.
It has been a slow recovery for me. I am just now starting to feel more like myself again. However, I am still on pain pills and I was not really on them before. So that has been a major set back. God is good though.
People keep asking me how I feel about missing out on a trip that I had prepared for and felt God calling me to. To be honest I was VERY DISAPPOINTED. However, I want to live my life in accord with God's plans and He saw fit to leave me home at the last minute this time for whatever reason. My ultimate goal is to bring Him glory and He decided that His glory would be better served somehow in my remaining at home. So I have to rest in that decision knowing it was out of my hands.
I was reminded by a friend that David in Psalms has lots of "down days" where he is crying out to God and that it is OK to have those days. It was a great reminder that I don't always have to be cheerful about everything in my life. Although, I do need to accept God's plan for my life, which I do. It was a very freeing realization for me.
Psalm 126:5
New King James Version (NKJV)
Those who sow in tears
Shall reap in joy.
I love the picture of this Psalm below. It says it all so much better than I ever could!
Psalm 131
New King James Version (NKJV)
Simple Trust in the Lord
A Song of Ascents. Of David.
Lord, my heart is not haughty,
Nor my eyes lofty.
Neither do I concern myself with great matters,
Nor with things too profound for me.
Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul,
Like a weaned child with his mother;
Like a weaned child is my soul within me.
O Israel, hope in the Lord
From this time forth and forever.
Where am I at right now? I'm resting in the knowledge of God's love for me, that He knows best, and HE is ultimately in control. My ultimate goal is to bring him glory and to further His kingdom. Therefore, how can I argue with the way He decides is best. He would know far better that I what will further His own kingdom and bring Him glory.
I would love everyones continued prayers as I continue to face health challenges. No, they are not easy, but nothing worthwhile ever is. Everyone has a plan God has laid out for them and most of us if given the choice would have picked something else... However all we have is to simply take up our crosses and follow Him. Knowing He knows best and will be with us every step of the way. He does not abandon us or leave us to travel the hard road alone. But rather, He is there helping, guiding, and supporting us through every step if we would only look to Him for our strength.
I think the thought I would leave you with is this. Where is your focus in life. Are you so focused on YOUR plan and earthly things that you have lost sight of God's plans? I pray this is not so. Friend, take the time to evaluate your life and focus and turn them to things of above. For they have far greater value in the long run.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18
New King James Version (NKJV)
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
