Proverbs 16:9 Part 1

"The heart of man plans his way, 

but the Lord establishes his steps."

~Proverbs 16:9~

In the last 24 hours we have notified all of our prayer partners and financial supporters, as well as all of the supporters of Belief in Motion about our future.  If you don't know yet, we will not be staying in Romania long term.  We had hoped to stay here until November, but we are sadly leaving early August.

I wanted to post a blog or two to give some more meat to how we came about this decision. So, if the next two or three blogs seem really self-absorbed, please know that is not the heart behind it.  It is just to make everyone aware of how we got where we are.  

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When I was about fifteen years old a lady by the name of Jan Davis taught me how to pray.  We were together about once a week, found in the sanctuary of our church alone, on our faces, praying and crying out to Jesus for Him to make Himself known to the people who come in that place week in and week out.  

(Before you get to thinking I am super spiritual, I will be honest. Prayer is something that I struggle with today.  I pray all throughout my day, but I don't make as much time as I should to be still and be alone with the Lord just for prayer.  I really desire to do this more and I am always reminded of how much self-discipline I lack! Ugh!)

Back to Jan....she really just took me in.  I learned so much from her and I fell in love with the Lord even more because of this woman. She really taught me how to cry out to the Lord, to trust Him with everything, to pray about anything and everything.  She taught me more about letting go and letting the Holy Spirit lead my life. I am realizing now how fortunate I was to have this Jesus Freak in my life! :)  

Jan did another thing for me. She shared her passion for missions with me.  She did this by giving me a subscription for Southern Baptist International Mission Board...for several years!  This began my long deep love for India! 

Calcutta, India to be exact.

I tore the page out of the magazine of the black and white picture of Calcutta and it hung on the outside of my closet for a few years.  I prayed for that city. 

Every. 

Single. 

Day.

I wanted to be Mother Teresa! 

I know...I am so cheesy, but it's true! 

I have always wanted to go to India and Africa and those are two places the Lord has not sent me to yet.

At sixteen I went on my first international mission trip and this started a HUGE INTENSE love and passion to spread the Gospel to all nations...and let them be glad....because of what Jesus Christ has done!

I first went to Brazil and later on Honduras and Nicaragua and Ukraine.  

Then, I went to college and most summers were spent at school or working and I didn't go on any mission trips.  I was just a local missionary in Knoxville and wherever else I went in the States. 

There had always been a continuous desire to be a missionary. I had never heard the Lord's voice as to whether this was to be an international missionary, but I was willing. And if it was to be an international missionary, I didn't now where or how long??  

I had so many unknowns!

A lot happened in between, but to hit the highlights, I married my best friend, Steve and we shockingly became parents seven months after graduating college. 

 (*Note to self: natural planning can be a little tricky. It's an art I am not skilled at! )

While Steve and I dated, were engaged and even in our marriage we tried going on several mission trips. They always fell through or something major happened, like Steve would have heart surgery or I would have a baby! 

Looking back I know it wasn't God's timing.  

The exact month we got married we got a newsletter from my children's pastor and his wife. They were now missionaries in Romania working with orphans and widows and families--right up our alley.  We both said that "one day we want to go and work with them or visit and help out."  

Do you ever say something that you want to do, but figure it is quite likely you won't?

Well, this was one of those times for us. 

 I just can't believe that right now I am typing this from Romania!  God's ways are so much better than mine!  

to be continued.....