In Texas.
Were you getting excited, did your heart start to race thinking about us finally in France? We know how you feel, it's sort of disappointing right?
At this point, our departure has been delayed at least four times.
Four times we have begun to pack and say goodbye and four times delayed.
Some times the delays are frustrating. For me, the first delay was the worst but once my expectations were broken down, each new hurdle is less and less surprising and therefore less upsetting.
However, as the days tick on, though I am not distraught or frustrated, I am beginning to feel worn down and a little blah.
Fundraising is a trial as well. We got off to a great start with very faithful family and friends. Then there was a lull and then another big push. Then, things seemed to come to a screeching halt. We would check our account and there would be no change again and again. We began to wonder what God was doing and how the rest of the funds would be raised but we also knew, there was basically nothing else we could do but wait on the Lord to provide. When you've asked every one you know, and every one they know and some people you don't even know... there's not much else to do.
So we have been waiting.
My sweet and godly Nana has reminded me over the last year that God ALWAYS provides but that often it is at the last minute, when we've stopped trying to do it ourselves, when we've almost given up.
I know this is true but it's hard to grasp when you approach the end again and again only to get an extended stay. So when exactly is that "last minute" when God will act.
So we have been waiting and praying.
Oh man that sounds so godly and missionary-like... ha. And we have waited and prayed but we've also cried and gotten mad and stomped our feet and thrown up our hands. But after the tantrum, we still have to wait and what better to do when desperately waiting, than pray?
Today the clouds seemed to part and God brought in some last minute hope!
We found out that our remaining financial need is lower than we previously thought.
We have made some amazing community here in TX and they have faithfully prayed for us and one of these couples is using their frequent flier miles to book all three of our tickets to France... saving us thousands of dollars.
We also had word from the people who have our Visas that they will hopefully/probably/maybe be sent to the states THIS WEEK, which will enable the rest of our team to pack up and book tickets!
We are anticipating a new launch around the end of the third week of February!
We will be official leasers of a French apartment THIS WEEK!
My health is slowly but surely improving. I am actually breathing out of at least half my nose right now! (chapped lips rejoice!)
And to top off all of this wonderful news, it is 70+ degrees and sunny today and it's our first tantrum free day with the little one in over a week!
As I have been reflecting on the lessons all of this delay has brought, a verse pops into my head...
Romans 5:6 While we were still helpless, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly.
I am so thankful to God for his saving grace and again and again He is showing me that I am still helpless and weak and that He does things at just the right time... His timing.
So even though I am sure there are more bumps in the road ahead and more tantrums and delays... Christ died for me at the right time and continues to work out His plan for His glory in His timing.
Praise be to God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ!
