Waiting

I love this picture of two of my sweet girls from Hope Haven. I love how Ana (in the green) is so eager to be walking down the stairs, but she isn't able to do it on her own, so Berlinda comes along beside her and holds her hand, making it possible for her to walk down those stairs. It reminds me of myself. My heart is eager and willing to be in Hait, yet it's not something I can do on my own. My family, church family and friends have come along beside me and are holding my hand as I walk this out. God is good to have blessed me with such an amazing support system!!


So I have been in a season of waiting the past couple of months and let me tell you, I'm not a good waiter! However, I am trusting in God's timing. I've definitely had my moments of questioning God, but He continues to gently urge me to "just trust me". I've been battling discouragement with, in my estimation, the slowness of how things are progressing. According to my original time table, I was supposed to be making the move to Haiti sometime this month, however, that isn't going to be happening. God has been challenging me to give up my time tables and fully trust HIS time table. In the midst of struggling with discouragement, God is so faithful in giving me little bits of encouragement that keep me moving forward. Having the opportunity to teach about missions at VBS, support and love from my church family, having some great family time, seeing some of my teens serving the Lord this past week, an encouraging note, people letting me know they're praying for me, and so many other things that the Lord has used to encourage me.

As of right now, my house still hasn't sold. I've been praying about the option of just renting it out, and on Sunday, I had someone at church randomly approach me asking if I had considered renting it because they were looking for a place! Not that this is going to work out, but it's another thing that God used to encourage me and remind to keep pressing on. I'm just about ready to (fianlly!!!) send out a mass mailing of my support letter. There has seemed to be so many little glitches and hold ups with my support raising, and I'm praising God that it's so close to officially being started. I'm really trusting Him to meet all my needs. Please join me in praying for this, as well as wisdom and direction with my house.

And on a side note, I'm all finished with school, graduated, and a nurse practitioner. Thank you Lord!

In His Service,
Julia

For Sale

My house if officially for sale!! It's been on the market for just over a week. It's kind of bittersweet, although mostly sweet. It's one more step closer to Haiti, but I still have moments of sadness at the thought of letting my house go. God is continually reminding me that I'm trading something temporal for something of great eternal value. God has blessed me with my house, and it's His, not mine. It's crazy how God had continued to change my heart. Things that I once viewed as huge sacrifices like giving up my house, seemingly giving up the possibility of marriage, and even wearing high heels (wearing heels in Haiti is highly impractical) are now of little consequence to me. They don't even seem like sacrifices anymore because I've relinquished them to the Lord and readily give them up. It seems so silly that these things once held me back from following God's direction for my life. Please continue to lift me up in prayer as God prepares the way.

In His Service,
Julia

Preparations

What an exciting and life changing season that has been in my life!! As I reflect on where God has brought me, I am in complete awe of His sovereignty, His patience, and His tremendous love for me. I’m reminded of Proverbs 16:9, “The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps”. A year ago I had no plans of doing full time missions work, but as the Lord has directed my steps, that’s exactly where He has led me. Praise God for His persistence!

As I am making preparations, I’m seeing how God is so many steps ahead of me! I haven’t begun raising support, but He is already raising up supporters! Please continue lifting me up in prayer. I’m finishing up some house projects and am planning on getting my house on the market in a week or two. Please be praying for a timely sale. I praise God for all of you and covet your prayers!

In His Service,
Julia