Last week, I got to visit some friends in Iowa that I hadn't seen since '98. I had such a great time talking and meeting their children, and finally meeting a friend I have been talking to on Facebook for over a year. And absolutely loved the time with my girls, making memories and proving that we could handle exploring on our own. We were celebrating the finish of the first class and getting 100% on the final paper, and getting an A in the class. Unfortunately, the next class had already started and it is crazy time-consuming so I stressed myself out trying to shove a week's worth into the first three days to free up the second half of the week. Anyways, we all had a great time exploring and watching the hot air balloons come in at the balloon show and then we had to rush back home. Leaving was hard.
I truly am blessed with such a wide assortment of friends who have proven to be great cheerleaders in this new phase of my life. God knew exactly what personalities I would need to help me thrive despite the curve-balls thrown at me. He surrounded me with friends, new and old, to help be His hands and feet, to literally hug me through all this.
This week was really hard on me. No one specific reason. A big part of it was that I don't feel like I know what this professor is asking for and am putting a lot of hours into school this week. Another part, especially today, was the fact that I am staying at a really good friend's house right now, and the last time I was here I was spending time with a guy friend whom I never see anymore. And then, on top of that, the girls seem to be going through a rough patch as they try to make their way and get ready to start the new school year. It's just been tough emotionally.
But, in all of it, I have to remember that I am incredibly blessed. I have everything I need in order to truly thrive in this life. God has become so real to me and spending time with Him on a daily basis has really changed my outlook on life. He gives me exactly what I need to be able to make it through each new day. And the plans that He has for me are beyond anything I could ever dream up for myself.
God has also placed some great new friends in my life, ones who are in the same boat that I am in, for whatever reason. They have encouraged me and helped me to have the fellowship that I had been missing. Life is fuller and busy. School keeps me hopping. Most of the time, I don't have enough downtime to think I am missing anything. And this time of just me and God, has been incredibly rewarding and is bringing healing to the hearts of all three of us girls.
This isn't anything I would have planned for myself, but God knew better than I did. He knew how much I needed to focus on Him, without outside distractions. He knows the plans He has for me and the potential that is hidden inside me. When I look back, on the other side of this, hopefully I will marvel at all the work He has done in me! Go God! :)
