I have a friend that has the following quote as his Skype status: "Vision without action is a day dream, action without vision is a nightmare." Not sure where that came from, but as I start to write, that phrase came to mind and I had to steal it for the blog. I guess I find myself more in the first part, but I could easily fall into the second since I don't really know where the Lord is calling me to go long term ... but that is a different topic.
Since I have returned from Mexico, my heart has been stirred to return. I can't say that the Lord wants me there permanently. What I can say is that my heart is knit with people there. I long to fellowship with them, serve along side with them and spend time seeking the Lord and exploring if that is what the Lord would have for me. I hear news of what is happening there both physically and spiritually and I long to be part of it or be there for them. I would love to go for at least 3 months to see what the Lord would have and if it is a viable place of service for me, or maybe it is preparatory for a different place. I am hoping that I would be able to find my place and not feel like a visitor. Even cute little Obed has said he misses me and he even told me he loved me over Skype!!!! I got to talk with him and his sister Aaliyah and it is so sweet to know that they love me just from the two weeks there ... and I love them back! Little things like that have a way of drawing the heart!!!! They are kids of a good friend, Pastor Dan's daughter (pastor at the Ranch). I wanted to include a photo so that you could see how cute they are. :)
I would still love to go to Bulgaria to visit my friends there in the Lord's timing and I am not sure where the Lord wants me long term. I also have missionary friends in China that I would love to see again and they would like me to visit. One step at a time and one place at a time ... There are many advantages to going to the Ranch in Mexico as a first place. I won't have a language barrier (which is huge), so it will be a nice way to "get my feet wet" and seek the Lord apart from distractions. It would be great to go for 2 weeks for vacation, but it seems insufficient. I was sick a lot while there, so I kind of need more than 2 weeks to allow my body to adjust. My friends tell me that I need to be a long term missionary!
With the desire to go to Mexico and thinking of logistics, I was dreading multiple options. I couldn't quite agree with the thoughts of leaving my guitar again, especially for a longer term as I really missed it for ministry and personal purposes, or of traveling on the bus with my guitar and risking damage or loss, or incurring the extra costs of flying into Mexico for twice the price if I were to go often. After many thoughts and prayers, I kept coming back to the idea of getting an SUV that could handle the trip, the extra luggage and the rough roads to the Bible Studies near the Ranch. As I thought about this more, I ended up searching for options and found an amazing deal for a 2000 Jeep Cherokee in impecable condition with 129K miles!!! It is from out of state and a bit old, but great for service ... so, we have named it Moses (coming from a far land to move the people to where the Lord was calling them to go). I must admit that this car is sooooo not me!!!! The funny thing is that it is perfect for me! It is perfect for Mexico! It is kind of funny ha-ha that after driving it for a couple of days and going back to driving my Acura that I have driven for over 6 years now, I feel guilty because my TSX feels too luxurious!!!! I guess the Lord is preparing my heart in many ways. Even during the searching process and when I got it, I have received many lessons from the Lord to my heart as part of this. It is just what never knew I needed!!!!!
I have had the house up for sale on craigslist and with a sign out front "For Sale by Owner" all summer long. I have had multiple people come and see it, some even seemed promising, but nothing has come of it. I felt so "burned" by my last realtor experience that I felt overwhelmed at the thought of trying to pick a different one that I could trust, that would sell the house agressively and that would look out for my interest. With my house situation, I can't really take action regarding going to the mission field, at least not long term, so going to Mexico has been a day dream. My only possible next action is to sell the house ... this has been the next thing for the longest time ... I have been fearful and I have felt burned by my previous experience, but I must trust the Lord and not be driven by fear.
Well, today I met a new realtor ... she was amazing! A dear friend recommended her and I have taken the the step to meet her. I feel so comfortable with her and with all the information that she brought and shared. Even with decisions in price that may not be what I originally wanted or hoped, yet I feel at ease. She seems very knowledgable, experienced and with the kind of focus and ethic that makes me feel I can trust her. Yes, it was the first meeting, and we will meet again to finalize the listing on Monday and get it on the market officially again, but I have a peace about it. Of course, I keep praying!!!! I have "homework" (literally) that she wants me to do to before we list, but it isn't impossible. The reminder to be praying every step of the way is essential ... and now is no exception. Because I had it listed it before and I had it for sale by owner for a while, it is an uphill battle, but nothing is impossible to the Lord and if it is His will, He will bring it to pass. If this endeavor does not result in a sale, then I continue trusting His timing and guidance.
Is it time to move yet? Well, not literally move out of the house yet, but definitely it is time to get moving forward and get everything done with all dilligence to finalize it all (or be ready to embark on a new beginning), so ... it is time to get moving!!!!
As far as the price, although I would like to be able to sell for more money, the Lord was gently reminding me of the scripture:
"As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich;
as having nothing, and yet possessing all things."
- 2 Cor. 6:10
Please keep praying with me in all this process. Let's look forward to what God will do!!!!!! My prayer and my promise continues to be:
In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion ...
Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort
- Psalm 71:1,3
Joel's car is standard, no power anything. It makes me wonder what we're being prepared for :). I am so excited to see all that God is bringing to pass for you. Are you glad it is time to get moving?!
ReplyDeleteSherri, we should talk about what you could do with Joel's car! ;) LOL
ReplyDeleteI am excited that the Lord may be doing something quickly, although it is still to be determined. What I am not too excited about is getting as sick as I have been ... but I guess that is just part of it all.