unexpected joys

I have a card hanging up in my house that says, "May your life be crowded with unexpected joys."

This past weekend was one that was crowded with numerous unexpected joys.

I was not expecting to be reminded of how GOOD it is for me to be around that particular group of people. I have not been with a group of people like that since college.

I was not expecting to be overwhelmed with a sense of healing. I was blown away by seeing how the Lord has healed my heart is a very specific way in regard to some pretty deep hurt that I had been dealing with for the past couple of years. I was reminded at how creative and personal THE Great Physician really is.

I was not expecting to come away from such an intense weekend with a heart full of gratitude for the people that were there, the new faces that I met and the new friendships that began.

I was not expecting to gain some serious cool points at finally getting to meet those I have heard so much about.

I was not expecting to be challenged by the stories and experiences of some dear brothers.

I was not expecting to feel such a deep sense of unity with the entire EA team.

I was not expecting to be even more excited about this upcoming summer after meeting these 3 ladies.

Meet the Fab 4

I will go...

The last time I posted a blog it was a snow day with a really cool date. (1.11.11) Today is another snow day with another cool date. (2.2.11) I have been bursting with excitement at the opportunity to share about the latest adventure God has in store for me this summer. The short version of this long post is that I will be spending 4 weeks of the summer of 2011 in East Asia and I could not be more excited.

There is a lot of background info that will probably get left out of a post like this but for those of you who have known me for any amount of time will (hopefully) be able to fill in the blanks. I could say that it started in 2002 when the Lord allowed me to go to Zambia. I could say that it was at Main Event during college. I could say that it started back when I was a camper at Kids Camp and the missions speaker spoke about Japan and my heart was stirred. There's no one point that I can look back on and say, "It was THEN." And honestly I am okay with that. There are so many events and circumstances that have brought me to where I am. Needless to say COUNTLESS people who have been a part of this journey. Those people have encouraged and challenged me to think through what it really means to put my yes on the table and let HIM put it on the map. There are specific people (my cousin C for example) that have continued to challenge me by how they live to live differently and to be open for anything and everything that the Lord might allow to come across my path. There are so many passages that the Lord has used to keep my heart open to His plan for my life. Below are 4 passages that I always come back to.

Psalm 46:10

"He says, 'Be Still and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth.'"

Isaiah 26:8

"Yes Lord, walking in the way of Your truth we wait eagerly for You,

for Your name and renown are the desire of our souls."

Psalm 27:13-14

"I am still confident of this:

I WILL see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

Wait for the Lord;

Be strong and take heart

and wait for the Lord."

Psalm 73:28

"But as for me, it is good to be near God.

I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge;

I will tell of all your deeds."

There are countless songs that have gripped my heart.

Starfield's - I Will Go

Shane & Shane's - You Said

Chris Tomlin's - Awesome is the Lord Most High

And my new favorite song

Meredith Andrews' - What it Means to Love

If you are still reading, I thank you. I am thrilled to share with you all that I have been asked to lead a group of college students to East Asia for 4 weeks this summer. It took me about an hour to "officially" decide to agree to do this.

A week and a half ago I was asked (in an email by my cousin C) if I would be interested in leading this trip should a leader be needed. Initially I was paralyzed at the thought of "leading" (i.e. being in charge of a group of students in a foreign country) then I was overwhelmed with an unexplainable peace knowing that this would be an incredible opportunity to learn to trust HIM in a new way and to GO and to see what the Lord is doing in another country. A few days later, I was informed of more details, the situation was explained as to why I might be needed to lead the trip and my heart was hooked. I continued to pray that the door would be open and the next day (last Saturday actually) I received an email asking me if I would commit to leading the trip. At this point I don't know a ton of details other than the fact that the majority of our time will be spent at the New Day Foster Home and English School. (Check out their website.) We will have the opportunity to help take care of orphans in the foster home as well as teach and tutor Chinese students through the English school.

I will do my best to keep you informed as more details come together. I am excited to share more of this adventure with you.