I haven’t necessarily committed to continuing this blog, nor have I said that I wouldn’t continue it. So, for now it seems that as the mood strikes, I will write. Although, I must say that my topics are bound to be far less original than the ones I wrote about from Africa.
My time in Moultrie seemed short, but long enough still to be ready to move on to the next phase. If I had stayed much longer, I am not sure I would have had any ambition left to get up and move on to the next step…exactly the reason that I made sure there was a next step in motion before I ever set foot in America.
The last week home was filled with speaking engagements and while they were somewhat exhausting, they were also very refreshing. It was so encouraging to speak to various small groups of women at my church ranging in age from 18 to 80 who told me that they had been praying these past two years and then proceeded to pray for myself as well as the Sparrow people, right there on the spot. If I had been planning on staying in Moultrie, I know that getting plugged into one of those small groups would have been an awesome fit. I loved laughing, crying, and sharing back and forth the goodness of God and His faithfulness to us with these women. I also had the chance to speak to two churches who had partnered with me the past two years. Again, so encouraging to meet some of the prayer warriors of this generation.
My last Sunday at home ended with the lady who was my first mentor, Mrs. Mona Whatley, being honored at our church (along with her husband) for her years of faithful service to the Lord. I remember the days when I sat in the back room of her house week after week and cried for a good solid year. I am of course grateful to no longer be in that season of my life, but was even more grateful to be able to share with her during my time home all that the Lord has done in my heart in the last 10 years. And I loved that as I sat there that last Sunday in church reflecting on the goodness and faithfulness of God in my life, I got to do so by celebrating and honoring a woman who had poured into me and so many others in Moultrie and around the world. What a fitting end to my time in Moultrie.
Now, I am in Wake Forest, NC and settled in and off to what seems to be a crazy start. Once I got over the shock of the move and transition to seminary, I can’t help but be so incredibly grateful for this opportunity. I’ve never shied away from being honest on here and I won’t do it now….there are days when I think despairingly to myself that here I am 28 years old, single, with no career, and starting a new semester at school….again. But, then (praise the Lord) there are other times that I realize that I am 28 years old, single, without a career, and have the opportunity to start my first semester at seminary. How blessed am I? To be able to sit under knowledgeable teachers and soak up the teachings of the Word, being completely undistracted by the things that a family and a career would bring (as wonderful as those things are). What a wonderful opportunity. One that many could only wish for and one that I have at this season in my life.
Now, if only I could get some furniture for my apartment, a job to pay the bills, and remember to bring my Bible to class, this semester will be off to a good start!
Getting to meet my new niece Molly for the first time!