oh my, how time flies

Today feels like the eye of the storm; since I arrived in the States on 5 August my life has been a whirlwind of traveling to visit friends and family and share about my time in Africa.  Next, in three days time, I will cash in my one way ticket for a plane ride to Cape Town.  From there I have a feeling the whirlwind will resume. Thankfully, I know the One who can calm any storm :)

After my last post, upon graduating CPx, fellow student-friend Shannon and I spent an amazing weekend with our friends at LXP in Jeffrey's Bay. I shared with the directors of LXP, George and Michele, what I felt God had revealed about his plan for me to return to Lesotho in a few months to serve under LXP Lesotho long term. They were thrilled to hear it, and committed to praying with me as I continued planning and seeking God's timing. They also invited me to spend the month of October with the LXP family in JBay before moving to Lesotho; I am ecstatic to say that since those conversations nearly two months ago God has blessed every step of my journey and I will be doing just that! After our visit to JBay Shannon and I spent a refreshing week in Lesotho. I got to see the friends I'd made during the CPx outreach and spend lots of wonderful of time with Godfrey and his family, who graciously hosted us in their home in Nkoeng. It was a sweet time for me, full of confirmations and peace that God had truly prepared a place for me in the ministry in that village, and it was just a matter of his timing before I would return.

I can hardly believe that the time to return has nearly come. On the one hand it feels like I left only yesterday because, thanks to modern technology, I've been able to stay up to date on the happenings in Lesotho. On the other hand it feels like a lifetime since I was in the beautiful village of Nkoeng because of all I've experienced in the interim. My summer in the States was full of wonderful times with friends and family in all different places. I road-tripped the Northwest; visited my grandparents in Arkansas with my sister; reunited with CPx friends; camped for a weekend with the Agape network of churches at Festival of Tents in Oregon; visited friends and family in Los Angeles and San Diego, CA; shared about my time in Africa with people from my home church; and spent amazingly restful times with my parents in Eugene, OR. In between these fun adventures I made all the necessary arrangements to move back to serve in Lesotho long term, and got some fillings in my teeth.

Looking back and looking forward I am overwhelmed by the way God has poured out his love and grace in my life. I am eternally grateful for the growth he realized in me through the challenges and victories I experienced in CPx. These changes show up even more starkly here, against the familiar background of friends and family in the US. I am also awed by the way God has guided and provided as I have attempted to make the most of my short time here while preparing for my return to Africa. He has proven over and over that he is my true Provider, Comforter, Counselor, and Friend in so many ways. I am humbled by the call he has placed on my life, but confident to follow it because I know he is with me and will continue to be my All in All. There's nothing better than learning to fly when you've been promised "those who hope in the Lord will soar on wings like eagles"! I'm sad to say "see you later" to those who I'll be leaving here and nervous about the unknowns my future holds, but steady because I stand on the Rock of Ages and joyfully expectant because my Jesus always takes me from glory to glory. Thank you to all I've had the pleasure of seeing this summer, and to those I wasn't able to see as well; you've all been amazingly supportive and encouraging and I'm so excited to write you next time, from my beloved Africa!