The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord.
Psalm 37:23
i will be honest and say this is an awkward blog to write. i want to do my best to express my heart.
i have purposed in my heart to follow the Lord. i made a commitment several years ago to be an "at all cost" Christian. meaning: no matter where, no matter when, no matter the cost. i will honestly admit that i haven't always been so quick to be obedient...but i put my 'yes' on the table a long time ago. and i left it there for good.
the Lord made it clear that He wanted me to follow Him to cairo. so many of you have been on this journey with me since the beginning. on may 27, i boarded a plane and headed to the middle east. on june 17, i boarded a plane headed for tulsa.
it was an easy 'yes' to go...but not so easy to follow Him home. for health reasons, i simply could not stay in cairo. there was no guarantee that things would get better, and He brought me home to heal and recover. as i boarded the plane in cairo, i cried...truly feeling as though i had failed. as i poured over scripture and truly sought the Lord, He reminded me that He was directing my steps. i may have failed in terms of my own plans...but i followed Him, and that is not failure.
i have been home for 5 days, and have appreciated my family. i have wonderful people who love me and support me and only want the best. my health continues to be an issue, but i have a great doctor and incredible prayer support. please continue to pray for me as i remember that HE is the Great Physician and rely on His strength in each moment.
i may have landed in tulsa, but i assure you, the journey is not over. i have found myself on one of the most exciting, stretching, crazy, unexpected adventures. the Lord is working in my heart and in my life, and i am so excited at what He is doing! He is moving in the nations...and that includes THIS nation! i have sought to know His heart for His people...and He so quietly reminded me that my neighbors are included.
i cannot hold in all He is doing. i will continue to journal through His teachings and to shout from the rooftops what He is whispering so sweetly to my heart. your support has meant so much up to this point...feel free to follow along as the journey continues. i'm so excited for what He has.
(PS there is a video...a really really humorous video...that should be posted this week. be prepared. i danced.)
wasting away*
15 years ago
Kristi, first let it be said, i love you.
ReplyDeleteAnd i had no idea that your health was doing so poorly but i'm so happy to hear that you are now in a better health enviroment.
and i can assure you that following God means failing to everything we had "pictured" in our minds of what Gods will was for us. Take it from the 1st place FAILURE. But i've learned to be thankful for the failures because that means I'm dying slowly to what I want and I'm gaining Gods heart and plans. Let me share the phrase that kept me sane, NOTHING TAKES OUR GOD BY SURPRISE. He knew when your foot stepped on that plane on May 27th that your feet would return on June 17th. I wish I was there to give you a big hug though! Another thing I've been surprised to be taught is how big of a ministry i had in Tulsa. I was so focused on getting to the "mission field" in China that i overlooked the oppurtunities that were sitting right in front of me, starring me in the eyes.
but moral of the story, i love you, i'm praying for you!
Hey, I guess I just realized how to read your blog. Sorry it took me so long. I totally agree with Crissy. There is so much to do in the city of Tulsa. Everywhere we go and everyone we meet is a ministry to God. Today I got to share with a single lady for 30 minutes while we waited for our yoga instructor to come. It was a divine appointment. It happens everyday if we look for it. I'm glad your home and holding on. I am reading Job and he learned to hold on for quite a while before he got any answer and I wonder if he ever knew what we know (the first few chapters). Anyway my favorite saying is our plan B is always God's plan A. Anyway, I love you and hope you are feeling better. I would still love to sit down and talk if you have the time.
ReplyDeleteKO -
ReplyDeleteIt's a journey. Journeys have detours. Journey have rest stops. Journeys have flat tires. Journeys have car sickness. God's not sitting on the throne wringing His hands thinking, "boy didn't see THAT coming". He's still in charge. Another opportunity for our confidence in Him to grow.
kristi-just read this and am praying for you so much, my friend. i'm so proud of you for following Jesus with all of your heart and being a true disciple, and a true example of biblical living and Christ's love to me. can we have a date when i'm back in t-town? lamentations 3 my friend :)
ReplyDeletelove love, christina