An Answer to Prayer and the Goodness of His Grace...

Have you ever asked God for something, not even fully realizing how much you needed it, but were so willing to accept whatever He had for you that you completely left it in His hands?  Some time later, the answer to prayer materializes right before you, and you are giddy like a child in a candy store knowing that He answered your prayer!  But as the weeks progress, you begin to see such a beautiful plan unfolding before you, and you come to understand that what you thought would be nice and asked the Father for, He knew all along how much you truly needed it and provided it.

It just happened to me.  I am once again filled with awe at His perfect provision and love for me as I prepare to go to Uganda.

The morning after I told the Lord I would go to Uganda, I prayed fervently that he would send someone to go with me, someone who would share my vision for partnering with a ministry for long-term support, someone that would share my love for orphans, someone that could be a part of this vision and help us in all aspects of whatever needs to be done when we return.

And then I simply told Him that while all of that would be wonderful, I was willing to go by myself and that my husband and children would be enough help for continuing support if that was His plan.

Many weeks passed.  I didn't even really think about that prayer again.  And then one night God suddenly answered my prayer.  Her name is Kristen.  That night I was happy dance excited!  I prayed for someone to go with me and He answered.  He said "Yes!" to me!!! 

Kristen....I have loved that girl since she was born.  We have been friends with her family for as long as I can remember. I sat on the floor playing with her when she was six months old, and I watched her say her vows to Geoff in the rain on a Colorado mountain side two summers ago.  She was beautiful then and she is beautiful now.

God gave Kristen a heart for orphans.  She and Geoff are in the process, waiting for God to bring their children through adoption.  Knowing this, I casually mentioned to her on facebook that I was going to Uganda and she should go with me.  The part I didn't know was that she actually worked with an organization in college advocating for orphans and fell in love with Uganda.  She planned to go there "someday."  But God began working on Kristen's heart and He showed her that her "someday" is actually now.

She had a few hesitations to work through, but I had told her that all she needed to do was say "Yes" and God would work out the rest.  I told her it was in God's hands, everything would be okay.

A couple of nights ago, I listened to her young energetic voice on the phone telling me our travel itinerary.....oh my, I am so not a traveler.  It sounded so overwhelming.  Long flights, short layovers, long layovers, all night flights, arriving late, leaving early, strange places I've never been before....

And she quipped right back to me, "It's in God's hands, everything will be okay."

Before we hung up, Kristen said "I love you," and as I said those heartfelt words right back to her, that's when it hit me, just how much my heavenly Father knew I needed this sweet, young family-friend-turned-best-girlfriend to share this experience with me. 

How wonderful to experience all of this with her and be able to process it with her once we are back.  To be able to continue the journey of setting up and supporting a ministry with her help.  Of course, we both have amazing husbands and families that are behind us and will be a wonderful help as we continue.  We are both so excited!

And, I am humbled and feeling quite loved by the Father.

Kristen is my answer to prayer.

Then, last night my friend, Lisa, called to tell me how truly overjoyed my daughter was as she shared big news with her and another teacher at school.....

When I signed up for this trip, Rebecca and I had to face the very real probability that I would have to miss her 8th grade play.  It is on Friday, April 13.  The 8th grade play is a huge tradition at our school, a rite of passage so to speak.  I have watched proudly from the second row of the auditorium as all three of her older brothers performed in their plays.  Rebecca was crushed that I would not be there.  But we had originally been instructed that we would be flying to Washington DC on April 13, so we were trying to make the best of an unhappy situation.

I knew that our flight plans had changed but I was still unaware of what it looked like until Kristen read the itinerary to me on Wednesday night.  I was able to confirm our flights and surprise Rebecca with the big news while she was at play practice yesterday. 

I love the way Lisa sees things and calls to encourage me and remind me.  She is such a blessing to me.  She said when Rebecca shared the news with them. she wasn't jumping up and down happy, she was deep down overwhelmed with joy, huge tears brimming. 

And my dear friend Lisa says it to me, reminds me again...see how God is taking care of every detail?

And again I see His grace, unmerited, undeserved favor, towards me and extending to my daughter.  I was so, so happy to share that news with her.  She was so happy--hugged me so hard, she lifted me off the ground!

For out of His fullness we have all received one grace after another and spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing and even favor upon favor and gift [heaped] upon gift.  John 1:16 Amplified
 

and this...

Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name;
   make known among the nations what he has done.
Sing to him, sing praise to him;
   tell of all his wonderful acts.
Glory in his holy name;
   let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. Ps 105:1-4
 

We are counting down.....in two weeks we will be there!  It's time to start packing!

Trusting in Him,

Shelli