He Promises with a Purpose

Just when we come to the end of ourselves (which is where we need to be all along), God orchestrates "holy happenings"~right in the middle of the everyday to remind us He does hear us. He does care. He is a living God. As I struggled with things like:

"When, Lord?"

"I feel misunderstood, Lord."

"Where's Your truth in all of these messages, words of "concern" and outside doubts, Lord?"

"I'm battling internally, Lord, trying to navigate blooming right here and preparing to bloom there."

He graciously showed up and proclaimed to my heart, "My peace and grace are sufficient." And this is how....
HE made a last minute dinner with our friend, Steve, happen where we could candidly talk life, church, next steps and alternative housing possibilities.

HE used a recent run where I encountered  very real wind resistance on the way out and then the wind at my back on the way home to show me that we will face push-back as we proceed in His plans. Yet, when we stay the course, and "stay in our lane of life" He'll reward us with the "wind at our backs." We won't forever feel like we're scaling the mountain. HE has multiplied my time that I could finish a powerful book called, Peace Child, where missionaries Don and Carol Richardson literally ran after Jesus' calling on their lives to minister to the treacherous and cannibalistic Sawi tribe in Irian Jaya~all the odds against them and yet the God of the universe for them!!

HE showed me that just because my degree is in Communications, that if people/friends/those who've crossed paths with us don't understand where we're at in the journey, then it's my job to better articulate~NOT their job to just understand!!  A little self-realization and humility  has brought clarity and freedom to some of my inner warring. HE brought about a meeting with a dear and deeply loved friend last night who I intrinsically trust to speak truth to me~and she did. Oh to be blessed with a small handful of seeking and speaking truth friends is a rare treasure. 

There's a trend~my (and Doug's) heart asks the questions and HE answers over and over again. Then about a month ago during a quiet-time with the Lord, the date December 28th was laid on my heart in regards to our move to the Philippines. This quickly made it real, exciting and somewhat terrifying 😄in that it will totally be the Lord providing a place to live and budgeted monthly support. We will travel onward knowing that it's all about what Jesus is and will do...and we're grateful to simply be active participants as He does His work in us and others who are partnering with us. 

He cares for the lilies of the field....

We continue to educate ourselves on Filipino culture, reading true stories of other missionaries, researching things like insurance options for international missionaries~all while living life as a family who knows that opportunities to serve start in our home. 

So, would you pray about partnering with us as we pray, prepare and plan to leave on December 28th for the Philippines? This scripture is a cornerstone for us, "The wise man built his house on the Rock." Matthew 7:24-27. May it encourage you, too.

Always thankful for the lessons because it means we're still growing~



The Hounshell Four