The wait is over...

God definitely needed to prepare my heart… just hours after I wrote that last post, Brandon came home and told me we are going to a very, very remote location in Alaska. But He has already brought peace to this decision for me. I know I will have more times of panic, sadness, feeling overwhelmed, and scared, because it is easy to allow fear and anxiety to sneak in with all the unknowns of our next adventure, but like the Psalmist in Psalm 73 refers to, life seems so overwhelming “till I entered the sanctuary of God.” That is where our thoughts should be evaluated for truth and be turned over to the Lord. He will keep us in perfect peace when our minds are staid on Him.

It is funny how God has orchestrated and prepared us. Alaska actually was third on our list of places to go. Brandon and I felt that was what we were supposed to put it, via advice from his commander and promptings from our Commander. Initially, I was willing and excited about the potential for a little adventure, but a little while after we put it down, I decided I wasn’t ready to go to Alaska and really hoped we didn’t get it… which was good, because a little while after that, Brandon came home after a talk with the assignment team and said there wasn’t a chance we were going to Alaska.

However, on that very day, God had been challenging me and working on my heart. In fact, right when Brandon walked in the door, before he told me the details of his conversation, I said “I’m ready to go to Alaska.” God had shown me many ways that this could be a really good thing for us and for His glory. But Brandon’s response was, “Well, that’s good but we aren’t going.” Even though this seemed final, we both continued to speak of Alaska and almost talk as if we were going… like… would we take this if we were going to Alaska or we shouldn’t renew a cell contract until we find out if they have service in Alaska, etc.

On top of that, this past weekend, our church had a missions conference. In the past, we haven’t gone to a lot of the events but this year, we did and God used it to speak to us. He convicted us that our hearts need to be ready and passionate to go and serve where ever it may be. God has also provided other things to encourage us. One of Brandon’s current commanders, who has been so kind, is heading to the same location the same time we are. On top of that, many have been supportive since we found out, including a sweet lady I contacted in the small town where we’ll be living. But anyway, there is still a lot to sort out, but as we prepare outwardly, I pray that we will prepare inwardly even more so. You can pray for us too; that we will trust and guard our hearts from fear or stress that would want to enter in, that God will continue to work in the details as we prepare, that He will keep me far from any struggles with depression while there, and ultimately, that He will use us where we are now, and in what lies ahead. As Brandon has said, this isn’t about us. We aren’t being sent there to explore and enjoy ourselves, we are being sent there to serve and glorify the Father. We are excited, scared, and trusting.