To God be the glory

       I am in my house in Indiana, right now as I write. I have had the opportunity to catch up with many old friends and family members over the past week and a half. I've been running outside in the sunshine without turning and wondering who might be following me. I've been sleeping for as long as I need to. I've been staying up late, reading, and talking with friends. I feel at rest being in this place. 

    This morning I was reading in 2 Corinthians 1. Paul is writing his letter and he talks to the people in Corinth telling them about the "Father of Compassion and the God of all comfort". He talks about how in our own troubles, we receive comfort so that we can give comfort to others. He also tells them about how he thought they might die when they were in Asia, but that this happened so that they "might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead." In verses 10 and 11, he says, " On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of the many." 

     

   So many of these things related to me, and in fact they relate to you to. This year has been one that was far beyond what I could handle. My 26 students, though I love them very much, were quite a challenge. 5th grade being short staffed increased my work load, and at times I didn't think that I would ever finish everything. I tried to maintain my relationships and continue to work hard, yet also find rest which seemed to come rarely. In the midst of the semester, I was robbed when I was alone in a taxi. The experience of being left alone and not knowing where I was, was in some ways terrifying. But the Lord protected me even in the midst of a time when I didn't know what might happen to me. I found myself asking God frequently, why? I can't handle any more. The beauty of it all is this: to Him be the glory. Any good thing that came from this year, in my class, in my relationships, in my life. To him be the glory. I can say that I honestly could no longer rely on myself and my power, but on his alone. And I am so grateful that this God I serve is bigger than all of these things, after all he is God who raises the dead. He got me through it all. 

So where do all of you come in this? Well, many of you asked me frequently about my class and my life. You prayed for me. You prayed for my specific students. I honestly believe that this is what made the difference. My students learned this year. They learned about fractions, reading, health, and US history, but more than that I saw them learn and grow in their desire to seek God. I saw students who didn't want to sit and pray with me, pray for other students so earnestly it brought tears to my eyes. I saw students who didn't want to listen during devotions asked to lead a devotion at the end of the year. I praise God for this and I praise him for your prayers. 

I also continue to ask for your prayers. I've been a little hesitant and haven't shared about this yet on my blog, but I am going to be continuing to take steps of faith as God has called me in this next year. While there are things I love about teaching, God has called me to teach and work in a different capacity. In the fall I will be returning to Honduras to work as a missionary. I ask for your prayers as I move towards what God has asked me to do. I don't know how I will do it, but I have already learned that I don't have to do it. God will. Your prayers are instrumental in that. I know that God will provide for my needs in every way and I ask that you would also pray for that. I will definitely be posting more information about this so that all of you can hear more details and be involved. I pray that you will be a part of my team and continue to lift me and the ministry God has put before me to the Father.