the journey has only begun

i'm going to dive right in and tell you that GOD does CRAZY CRAZY THINGS! (just in case you didn't know that) ;)

this morning, i overslept and had to hurry and was worried on the way the airport, then something was messed up at check in and i just had to chill and pray that the anxiety would leave. i did just that, but of course the butterflies were there and i didn't want to leave my family on that rushed note. long story short, i made it on the plane and magically made it to chicago! thank goodness i had multiple hours to wander around that airport and try to find my way! however, on the plane i took out my bible to read a couple verses i love in isaiah.... my eye caught a devotional that I've had in my bible for almost a year. i have a tendency to not follow the dates on devotionals and just flip through and read whatever my heart desires... well, this devotional was from 2007 but i also have this weird thing where I will turn to the date that it currently is, just to see what it said a year ago and see if it hits me now as well. Sooo, i turned to OCTOBER 29th, 2007........................... I immediately began to cry. I date everything I read and make little notes about how it hit me that day and what it means to me. I had read this devotional last November--right after I was "forced" to move back to Sioux Falls from the cities because I had mono, shot my adrenal gland and low functioning kidneys... ugh. Well, i read this devotional entry and was blown away by it. I read it everyday for months after that, shared it with my mom, meditated on it. I had written this all down in the margins and all the memories flooded back about how this devotional had given me hope and peace about my dreams. The crazy thing now however, is that TODAY IS OCT. 29th, 2008! THE DAY I'M FLYING TO THAILAND, THE DAY I HAVE DREAMED ABOUT FOR MONTHS, THE DAY THAT I DISTINCTLY HEARD GOD TELL ME TO GO!!! GOD is so freakin cool... he had given me a little piece of paper, almost a year ago, with words that hit my heart, i had put it away and forgotten about it months later and then on the day that i leave for the next step in his will for my life, he reveals it again to me! Isn't God amazing!?!?! I mean honestly, the date is exact! God knows how to reach each one of us and affirm that we are on the right path...for me, God knows and often allows me to be slapped in the face with blunt affirmation. He appeases me sometimes! ;)

I'm gonna type this devotional below, so you can get a glimpse into these amazing words and maybe get a glimpse into this crazy beautiful moment i had today with GOD!

"THOUGH [THE VISION] TARRY, WAIT FOR IT...IT WILL SURELY COME." HABUKKUK 2:3


Whether you're in a prison cell like joseph, a soup kitchen in an inner city, or at home with small children, God hasn't abandoned the dream he placed in your heart. You may not know how to get from where you are to where your dream would take you, but God knows! Simply ask Him to reveal the next step. The more you envision yourself leading in the boardroom, launching your own business, serving a ministry, writing your first book or helping others through your unique gifts, the sooner it'll become a reality. Before our vision becomes clear God gives us glimpses of it--like a picture developing from a soft hue into a sharp resolution.
Take your God-given vision and run with it. Allow it to fuel your motivation to perform to the best of your ability in your present position, while always remaining in communication with Him who knows and loves you best. Today pray: "Lord, I thank you for all You've given me--even those things that seem unfair and unjust, even the scars that have been inflicted by those intending evil against me. Empower me to do my best, to remain Christ-like and positive, because I know that where I am right now is not where You're taking me. Grant me glimpses of YOUR vision for my future so that my understanding may grow in accordance with YOUR timing. Give me patience along the way, and faith to trust that you are working for my good every moment of the day. Amen."

I am just blown away right now. God gave me this promise almost a year ago, he gave me patience(sorta, i tried), he gave me his vision, he has poured out Grace and Mercy on me, empowered me, protected me from evil, and gave me peace that where i was at that time was not where he was taking me. I needed to learn and function where i was at---he gave me glimpses all year of his vision for me and NOW, it's coming into sharp resolution. How did I, a flawed sinner, become so blessed to be his daughter that he has risen up for this mission? wow.


All this happened in the first few hours---the rest of the day was spent in contemplation and staring out my window of the plane. Oh, I saw the most amazing sights today! Mountains, oceans, clouds, undiscovered territory, sunshine.... I was literally in awe of the beauty God has created!

Inside the plane, I was observing how calm, peaceful and considerate Asian people are. I was officially one of two blondes on the plain of hundreds. ;) and I was the only American in my cabin. I watched Asian children sit patiently and never complain. First Class is not the only people treated well in Asia. We had little socks, eye masks, hot towels, endless drinks, all the movies and music we could enjoy at our disposal, good food...peace. This is why i love asia. peace in the midst of chaos.

I've got to board my plane to bangkok now, but this day was fantastic. more to come. love you all.