Here is a text I sent my mom today:
“I am having the worst day. For no reason at all my computer won’t turn on- I did not drop it or spill anything on it- one hour it was perfect and now it is dead and won’t charge or turn on. So the computer (which I need for my job here) won’t work and I am in a foreign country four hours from the nearest Apple support store. But even then my credit cards still don’t work over here yet. I am supposed to be uploading a blog today but don’t have a computer for that, and I am so hungry but I just can’t borrow any more money from my team to supplement the meals we are getting as I wait for the credit card issues to be worked out. I have been crying all day and I am so stressed out. Also pretty sure I have salmonella because I am starting to feel sick and several other people in my squad are getting it from the chicken here or some stomach bug.”
My mom’s response was “well that sounds like a great blog post to me!”
Sharing this with all of you is a major stretch for me because I am not one to be vulnerable about the hard stuff, and I do not make it a habit to boast about my weaknesses. But today has been hard and I am sharing in an attempt to follow Paul’s example when he says is 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 “therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ then I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak then I am strong.”
I needed this reminder that HIS grace is indeed sufficient even on the days nothing has gone right. Even when I am missing home, stressed, hungry, sick, weary, and feeling ineffective. It is in these exact times that His power is made perfect in my struggles and weaknesses.
Thanks, Mom- even though this is not exactly the blog post I would have chosen to post, it is all I have to offer today. Here is a sneak peek into some of the not-so-glamorous parts of my journey overseas, but I still wouldn’t trade it for the world.
And thank you all for your continued love, support, and prayers on both my good days and my bad days.
(P.S I don’t actually know if it is Salmonella)
I went to school with your mom. Though we are strangers now and only friends on Facebook I want you to know I am proud of you and what you are doing at such a young age. You are making an impact on so many lives. More than you can ever imagine. I pray you are blessed the way you are blessing others.
Love In Christ,
Lisa
Remember, even the sharpest blade has to be worked against the hardest stone to reach its full potential. These are not obstacles to make you fail. They are tests of your migt. Chin up and press on little one.
I’m always a big fan of the real posts. Life on the field is incredible and we get a front row seat to God moving in mighty ways, AND these are the kind of posts that show how God is moving mightily in YOU.