By Faith

Not too long ago, during a fabulously fun road trip, we began to talk about our favorite Bible verses. It was so interesting to hear what each person said -- how different verses can really speak to individuals in encouraging ways. When it was my turn, I realized that I, in fact, don't have a favorite verse but instead a favorite chapter -- Hebrews 11. For the past four years, these 40 verses have really spoken to me.

When I first read them, it was a fast read -- by faith so-and-so did such-and-such.  But, have you ever spent time to think about what each person did? Take Noah for example, "By faith Noah...built an ark" (verses 7) He built an ark! In front of an unbelieving generation. Can you imagine how he must have answered to the question, "Hey, Noah, what are you doin'?" Just think about that answer -- "I'm building an ark! Yeah, I don't really know what an ark is either, but God called me to build one because its going to rain. What is rain you ask? I don't know..."

Before the Flood, it had never rained. And an ark, I'm guessing, those weren't too popular either. And to believe that God was going to eventually bring all the animals to him... That must have really taken a lot of faith on Noah's part. Of course we know the end of the story, so it is easy to say "Noah's life wasn't that hard. God worked it all out in the end!" But, what about all of the middle parts not included in the Bible. Noah was human too. I'm sure he had doubts, fears, questions. and frustrations, just like I do -- just like we all do. But, by faith he and so many others moved forward, stepping into the unknown, doing that which he was called to, seeking God's will for his life. And because of faith, he was blessed.

So why am I rambling on about faith? I guess it is because its my last night here in Japan. These past four years haven't been easy, in fact, they have been some of the most difficult, amazing, frustrating, incredible, challenging, life-changing, educational, sensational, stressful, adventuresome years of my life! My images of how I thought things would work out and how they actually did are about as different as night and day. But, I have come to realize that if these four years had gone exactly as I had planned or anticipated, I would have learned nothing -- and what a waste that would have been!

In this past month, I have had so many wonderful but also incredibly challenging experiences. God has really shown me how blessed I have been to be here. But, when I see how blessed I have been, it makes leaving oooooh so much harder. These past few weeks have been some of the most physically, emotionally, spiritually, and mentally taxing days of my life. I have so many thoughts, flying around in my head, I can't process them all. I have cried so much, I am not sure that I can shed another tear. I am emotionally numb. The reality that tomorrow I am leaving my beloved Japan, maybe never to return, hasn't fully sunk in...

I am sorry for my lack of blogging recently.  Between my busyness, lack of internet, and emotional roller coasters, I haven't been able too.  But, I have decided that it is my goal to someday share some of these wonderful blessings and incredible lessons with you, my readers.  I hope that you too can be blessed.  However, right now, I can't get them out... I am too tired to think or process anything. Please pray for me -- for peace, for strength, for sleep, for faith.

Tomorrow, I step back onto a plane to the place that I once called home. However, in many ways, it seems so unfamiliar, mysterious, and scary. Kind of like Japan did four years ago. I have no idea what I will be doing there, but I do know that is exactly where God is now calling me. God lead me here, and He will continue to lead me and with that I must cling to the final verse "These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect." If God has a perfect plan for my life, then that is where I want to be. Even if it means stepping back onto a plane headed to the unknown. May the new adventures begin!