GOOD NEWS!!! GREAT NEWS!!!

Quick update…as most of you probably heard me shouting from my apartment building yesterday late afternoon, we got the expedite request for Daniel’s visa!  I wish you could all understand just how much of a miracle this news really is.  Ever since we began talk of filing the petition to get him here sooner, people would ask what our odds are.  Not to be dramatic, but literally, all odds were against us, except for one…GOD!

Words cannot describe the feelings that circulated through my head and heart when I read the words in an email.   I have been enduring a season of great lament over the last several weeks, which has resulted in lots of praying, begging, and pleading with God.  My spiritual life has never had such an emotional connect as it has lately.

The second I read the words on the computer screen, I literally fell to the ground, sobbing and repeating the words, “Thank you Jesus” over and over again.  It was in that moment as I lay on the floor in complete surrender to God that I realized the impact of having a God who hears our cries.  Never before have I ever prayed so diligently and religiously for one specific outcome as I have with this petition.   And while this is merely just a stepping stone in regards to the actual process of approval and entry, I take great hope in knowing that God is rooting for us.

I finally know what it feels like to have the same plan that God has for me and all I can say is that it feels great!  I hope that this personal testimony does not bring about false understanding of how prayer and petition works but that it speaks breath and life into the mystery of a God who hears our cries.  “The Lord is my Shepherd, I have all I need” –Psalm 23:1.

Next step:  Wait to receive our second Notice of Action at which point they will either approve or ask for further evidence.  According to the online tracker, they are seeking more evidence.  We are waiting for the official letter to solidify that.  We are unsure of the actual time frame as there are still many unknowns.  The reason the expedite is so exciting is that instead of having to wait until December or January to have our case reviewed, our case is being reviewed immediately!  Praise God.  Please keep us in your prayers as there are still many hoops to jump through. 

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for your love and support!

Changing Seasons

I’ve been meaning to update our blog for sometime now.  To be honest, the only thing preventing me from doing so is sheer apathy and well, the hope of eventually having something worth sharing.  It turns out that I am still struggling with apathy daily and well, there hasn’t been much new to share and so I surrender. 

I am now two weeks into my last year of seminary.  In ways it feels good to be back in the academic world and in other ways not so much.  My mind feels so far, far away and my heart even further.  Someone asked me if I missed Guatemala.  My response, “Yeah, kind of.  I miss the culture, the flow of life, the people, our moto, the food, the cheap veggies and fruit, our old neighborhood pool, the mountains, the sunshine, and well, I guess about all of it.” 

The good news is, I feel that my relationship with God is growing immensely during this season of lament.  Unfortunately, I have been a cycle of many ups and downs over this past year but I have seen a change in my understanding of who God is.  Last year at this time, I felt a lot of anxiety and stress that I sought to fix myself.  This year, while I still feel a lot of anxiety and stress over the unknown, I am not as foolish to think that I can handle it all by myself.

God has shown Himself as a provider time and time again just within the last month and a half since I have been back.  It has caused me to think more than twice when I begin to doubt Him.  If you ask me how I am doing with everything, on the surface I may tell you I am struggling but if you ask me how I am doing deep down, I will tell you that I am confident that God is in control and that I know his plan is much better than any plan that I can conjure. 

There is one thing I know and one thing that I know will never change.  God is a faithful and loving God.  And so as I continue my journey through this season of lament, I take great hope in knowing that He hears my cries and that one day, this season too shall pass.

I want to quickly thank you all for your love and prayers!  Daniel and I appreciate the support more than you will ever know.  This week could potentially be a BIG week for us in regards to his visa.  We are to soon find out whether or not he got the expedite on his visa.  Please continue to keep us in your prayers, especially as we await the verdict on his case.  Thank you and God bless!