When God closes a door, somewhere He opens a window. ~Unknown
It’s been a year since I decided that I want to leave the country. One year. In this last year, I have sold, purged, or given nearly everything that I own to charity/whomever. I have made some new friends, and been distanced from old ones. I have come to terms with a part of myself that I had neglected for years. I am content.
I don’t have my placement with Oasis yet. This is not to say that I won’t have a placement. The only definite thing so far is that I won’t be placed where I had hoped… and that’s okay.
For the first time in a while, God and I have been having a conversation. We are deciding my next move. Where will I go? Will the work be what I thought I wanted when I started this whole thing? How long will I be gone? What about friends and family? What about money? Do I want to return to the States eventually?
Here is a short list of the things that God has put in front of me in the last week and a half:
1) India (potential alternate placement)
2) San Francisco~ a great class for aspiring abolitionists
3) Thailand
4) Guatemala
5) Africa
6) Multiple trips right in a row for different purposes
7) Consideration of timing
8) Worry about housing
9) Wondering if putting all of this off for another year is the smartest thing to do
10) Fund-raising difficulties
Tonight I am babysitting for the cutest baby alive (props to the McVey’s for having the cutest baby alive). My friend purged from a 2700 sq. ft. house to a loft in downtown Durham, NC. From where I am sitting right now, I am looking out the window at a street sign for left turns only. I can hear the rain hitting the roof. Other than the hum of the refrigerator and my fingers hitting the keyboard, it’s just quiet.
I’m glad babysitting gave you a chance to do some blogging! This is quite a list, and I can see how it would be overwhelming, but it’s exciting that there are so many things available!
That’s two of my favorite things: quiet and truly having a conversation with God.
And that is a lot to think about and a lot of options!
Asking the questions, leaving time in your life to listen and trying to be obedient to everything He asks you to do… no matter how mundane. In that journey, the doors will start opening and lead you to the magical destination that where He has great things in store for you. There… is where you will find your glee. This is the journey that I have been on for almost a year now and I should share more of the amazing things that God has put forth in order to be a good witness and I don’t but trust me when I say, you will be in awe. Just be careful to not only listen to the big requests, listen to the small ones too (that he will frequently whisper in your ear). Obedience is not something that come easy to me (I think you know me well enough by know to understand that). But when you start seeing the doors open and the gifts that God has on the other side (and it may be three doors away), it is so worth it. I am praying for you. I love you. Diane