No such thing as a pipe dream...

Wow, I honestly can't believe I have been back in America for almost a week. There have been so many times since I have been home that I have thought to myself "one week ago I was in Africa." Dang... sometimes it feels like it never happened, that it was another "Lariam dream." But nope, it was very much real! I remind myself every day of that beautiful verse in Psalms 9 "I will tell of the marvelous things You have done..." That's all I want -- everyday of my life. I want to praise Him with all of my heart and tell of the amazing things our Father has done, and of what He has allowed me to see and feel.

This past Saturday night, two amazing women (Dr. Armstrong and Danie) hosted a coming home from Africa party for me and they made sure so many people I adore were there. I have to say, I have never felt so loved in my entire life. We danced, looked through pictures, laughed, and thoroughly enjoyed the presence of each other's company. Thank You, Father, for all the wonderful people You have placed in my life. They are alongside me only because You willed it. Thank You, from the depths of my heart, for each and every one of them.

Now I'm off to Arizona to visit my Great Aunt Arlyne who generously sponsored my trip to Africa! My family won't tell me at all what we are going to do, so I'm guessing it's a surprise. I love surprises. She's 86 years old and we are going to tear up the town!!! I absolutely can't wait! I am beyond blessed to have her genes... she's the spunkiest 86-year-old I have ever met.

So now I'm off to the next leg of my life journey... and I have learned so much about myself and about life in my short 22 years in this world. Every day, more and more, C.S. Lewis' words ring truer in my head "If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world." I find desires in my heart for pure, absolute, unexplainable joy and peace. So far, looking in this world, I can't find it. So, I have stopped looking elsewhere and now I do my best to focus on the one true thing that I must be made for -- my Father. Of course, I fall short constantly, but that doesn't mean that I shouldn't try. Another thing I have learned is to stop planning so far ahead in my life. There was a point where I pretty much had it all planned out. My to-do list pretty much consisted of a husband, 5 kids, nursing career, and living in Texas. Africa was not on my to-do list. It seemed more like a pipe dream. Why in the world would I limit God in my life like that?!? Now that I reflect on my desires and dreams just a few months ago, it makes me sick to my stomach. How selfish was I? It goes to show you, no matter how much you try and get in God's way, He will tug harder and harder on your heart until you fall back into His will... and even then, with all the mistakes I have made, He will use them for His glory! How amazing is that?!? It makes me want to leap and bound through a field somewhere... with lots of purple flowers... barefoot... there's something about being barefoot that makes me feel closer to God-- His creation. I love purple, I love being barefoot, and I love God... so, there you have it. Me, in a nutshell!

So now, having lived the "pipe dream" once, I know God is going to light the way for every next step I take, as long as I seek Him first and dive into His word. Psalm 119:105 says Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. With God, there is no such thing as a pipe dream.

Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."