Thanksgiving Extravaganza

Thanksgiving- I must admit I have never experienced a Thanksgiving quite like this one. Why? Well for a few reasons. One, I was in charge of a lot of things for a big Thanksgiving gathering, that’s a first. Two, I had to cook the turkey-ha I will get to that. Three, it was the first Thanksgiving away from my family. God was good and taught and reminded me a lot through the whole event. 

About a week before Thanksgiving, a group from church came over to help get some projects done for Thanksgiving. That was a HUGE help!! I am learning when you are in charge of something, it doesn’t mean you have to do everything. 

The day before, we went over to set up, which turned out to be a little creative too. We had planned to have Thanksgiving at the pastor’s house because there is a better set up for more people. However, a water leak had caused the house to be under construction. Therefore, we moved over to the mission house. Everything worked out just fine; I actually just kind of laughed about all of the changes. Flexibility is not just important in teaching ministry but in ministry as a whole. 

Helpers!!!!

A litter nervous about the
whole turkey thing

Thursday morning I went over bright and early to put the turkey in the oven, and later a chicken too. Now as a 23 year old, cooking a turkey for an event of over 30 people...well it’s a little intimidating to say the least! Praise God it turned out, and I thanked Him for that from the depths of my heart.

We had about 35 people who came. Some people were normal attenders to the English service, some were the leaders from the Spanish side, and some were guests. It was one great big mix of people, which I thought was pretty cool. Now everything didn’t go perfectly...we had some glitches with sound for the music part and such things, but I think overall things went well, and God blessed. 

Everyone eating!

I don’t think I sat down very long the whole day, and I honestly don’t think I ate that much, but that goes with the territory of looking after things. Though there are things I could have done better, I did enjoy the process and being able to serve in this way. I think growing up with missionary gatherings for Thanksgiving and Christmas instilled in my heart the joy of getting a large group together. God really does use all things, even childhood memories. 

Having some fun cleaning up :) 

At the end of the day, I was extremely tired! One of the church leaders looked at me and told me to go home and sleep...which I eventually did. I was able to talk to my family throughout the day as well. I must admit I missed them a lot. God has provided a wonderful church family here in Cuenca, but I missed the encouragement and fellowship of my family. That did produce a more thankful heart for the family God has given me, and that keeps me praying for them. In being away from my family, I know God has helped me know Him better and lean on Him in a deeper way. This is where God wants me, and for those reasons, I actually praise God for having me be so far away. I need to know the Lord as my protecter and provider and trust Him with all things.

Now, I have two more weeks of work, and the CHRISTMAS BREAK!!! I am not excited about that at all ;) The Lord has brought other things along my path that I need to pray through, so if God lays it on your heart, I would appreciate prayers for clear direction. Sunday my pastor preached on Psalm 23, and I was deeply encouraged that God is my Shepherd that is always at work in the life He has given me. He will guide, and I just pray that I have a soft heart to follow what He wants. 

 Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place.

The Heartache of God's Will

Do you ever have weeks that completely take you by surprise? Well, that would accurately describe my last two weeks in Cuenca. I guess I am not even sure how to put to words what has occurred, but to show the faithfulness of God I do want to try. 

Two weeks ago today I was sitting in the doctors office with my friend Julia (a single missionary from Ireland). She had been having some vision problems, and that day they got worse. This doctor visit led to some more doctors visit, and then finally to an MRI. We didn’t think these things would amount to much, especially since both doctors had told us that they were fairly certain it wasn’t something serious. Yet when we talked to the neurologist, we got news neither of expected us to hear: a 70% of MS (Multiple Sclerosis). Ever since those words left the doctors mouth a week and a half ago, life has been a blur. 

The doctor advised Julia to go home for most tests, and Julia’s father and mission confirmed that would be the best idea. So instead of going on a missions trip to Loja as we had planned that weekend, Julia and I stayed to pack her things; she had to go home. 

I wish I could tell you that I spent exorbitant amounts of time in prayer and in God’s Word… I tried but to be honest my mind was having trouble soaking everything - I wasn’t sure what to make of everything. Despite my weakness, God again proved His strength. For everything that He wanted me to do, for every phone call or explanation or errand of food or medicine, He truly became my Rock. Watching someone I truly respect and admire in tears for the unexpected turn of events...broke my heart. I didn’t always have words to say, which I took from the Lord as times to be silent and simply sit with my dear sister. She didn’t doubt God’s goodness; she just didn’t understand, like the rest of us to be honest. I don’t think anyone is immune to being surprised by a phone call or a doctor’s visit. Sometimes God does prepare our hearts for these things, but sometimes we  get shocked by circumstances. That doesn’t mean God is cruel- I think I’m learning that it just means we will learn to know and lean on Him more fully by being faced with unexpected. Even when our hearts may not seem to be prepared, God is working and piecing things together we never would have thought of as being important ( For example, Julia had recently moved into the missionary house at church and put many of her possessions in storage. She knew it was God’s will, although she was hesitant at first. When the time came for her to pack up last week, it was a lot less stressful because she only had a small portion of things to take care of instead of all her belongings).

The week became a little more complicated for me as well as I was given a night class. At first, I was pretty discouraged about that because I knew that would take up more time, and I wanted to be around for Julia as much as possible. Yet even in small situations, I think God was reminding me He is in control, and if He allows a certain outcome to a situation, He has a good and loving reason for it. 

Praise God before Julia had to leave, we had some good laughs and a few despedidas (going away parties). Though it was hard for her to leave, she was able to spend time with the people she loves. She has such a heart for the country of Ecuador. 

Yesterday she finally left. I knew it would be hard to say goodbye, but  it hit me a little harder than I expected. I think part of it was that there was nothing else I could do to help-that had kept me going a lot of time. I didn’t always give myself a whole lot of time to process because I wanted to fulfill the role God wanted me too. Yesterday the tears and sadness finally came. Not only was I sad for all that she was going through, but it hit me that one of my dearest friends was leaving.We’ve had a lot of laughs together, but she was also the one I could always go to and trust and know that she would give godly counsel. She will be missed. 

Through everything, God truly made Himself known to me in a bigger way.He showed me again this is exactly where He wants me to be.I saw how the things He had taken my family through over the years had given me an understanding for how He wanted me to serve these past two weeks. There are times to pray and talk, times to cry and listen, and times to find reasons laugh (my sister Liz taught me the importance of that last one). I also became more thankful for the example of my parents. My mom was always the calm one when it came to medical issues, and she did a good job of asking the necessary questions. My dad was always the one to pray, again and again. I didn’t follow their examples perfectly, but I praise God a godly mother and father who taught me at the end of the day God’s strength and grace are what sustain us. 

I admit I leave you with a bit of a heavy heart, but a hopeful heavy heart. I know those doesn’t usually go together, but God can make them go together. God is my strength, and at the end of the day, despite heartache or unanswered questions, I can rest in His goodness. 

Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord.

Psalm 27:4