When I was a kid the year 2020 sounded so far away.
Now we’re nearly 10 months away from it and I’m again reminded that time is flying in life.
2019 has felt like a season of wading into the unknowns. It’s not a bad place to be, but I imagine it similar to wading into a cold body of water to swim. The first steps can be timid. There’s a bit of a shock to the body as we adjust to the new climate. It helps to imagine the sweet reward of swimming once we’ve gone ahead and made the plunge past the level of being uncomfortable.
– My new job as a ‘Base Development Manager’ has been a journey. The last 3.5 years I had spent time developing and perfecting my previous role. I knew how to do it well and felt a certain level of comfort.
This new role serves a lot of needs in the organization but doesn’t have easy and concise objectives on how to accomplish them. It will take time but I’m encouraged at the small victories of gaining traction as I get to build systems and strategies that serve people all around the world.
– I’ve also had the joy of journeying through my season of engagement with Stephanie. My heart still skips a beat when I think about marrying her in 36 days! We’ve been busy planning two weddings and trying to figure out the early stages of blending two lives into one.
– We have been accepted into a ministry called ‘Apartment Life’. If we get assigned a place we get to spend the next 2+ years serving in partnership with an apartment complex as we host events for the community, get to know our neighbors through meals and fellowship and organically share the gospel with the people around us. Unfortunately they don’t have a place available in our desired area so we have less than two months for God to open up a partnership we can serve in. This ministry would be in addition to our current job and church life. Prayers needed!
– After a few months of lingering hip discomfort I found out I have a small tear in my right hip labrum. Surgery is a realistic possibility but in the immediate I’m doing physical therapy and praying I can get to a place where surgery won’t be needed. As the medical bills slowly come in I’m pushed into a place of reliance on my Heavenly Father to be the source of my provision, both financially and emotionally.
As the beginning of this year has pushed me into the unknowns I’m thankful that we’re always left with a choice. A choice of what we hold on to.
The inconsistencies around me lead me to the one constant in it all. God is the one rock that brings stability. His word and truth has been a comfort in times when I haven’t felt much solid ground to stand on.
How about you? What are you standing on today and where do you feel like you’re diving into the unknowns?
Prayer requests:
– Peace for Stephanie and I as our wedding approaches.
– Healing over my right hip.
– Continued direction in my job.
– A 6 day trip to Guatemala in March to do some training with our team there.
– Provision for an ‘Apartment Life’ opportunity.
Thanks for all the support and encouragement!
