THIS Monday?!?!

We have a lot of training coming up in the next few months.  Intense medical training, cross-cultural training, language acquisition training, Bible story/Orality training, etc.  It is a lot of training that will span many topics, and it is be sure to be emotionally draining, as well as absolutely vital for our success on the field.  That's why we thought we might sneak in a vacation before we got started--a little time to laugh with the boys and enjoy some relaxing free-time with family.  That is what we thought we would do.

That is NOT what God had in mind for us.

Paul was on the phone yesterday (Friday) trying to set up our reservations for the month-long training we need in Colorado at Missionary Training International.  I had a trip to Guatemala planned for the first week of March, medical training the last two weeks of March, and an exploratory trip to our new people group in Guatemala in April.  So we knew that we needed to attend the May session to fit our full training schedule, not to mention our family trip this coming week.  Wouldn't you know, the session filled up and a waiting list was started all while he was speaking to the representative!  We weren't sure what to do, but then the rep told us that she had just gotten a cancellation.  "Would you consider coming in on Monday for your training?" she asked.  "THIS Monday?!?!"  

Well, it turns out that we would consider it.  And our advocacy team prayed and considered and recommended that we go.  So, here we are, frantically packing, buying warm socks and boots, gathering schoolwork, and trying to get all of our ducks in a row.  

Praise God for these opportunities to practice obedience!  Praise Him for adventurous little boys who never balk at a sudden change in schedule! And praise Him for a wonderful husband who steadies me when I might quake a bit in my (new hiking) boots!  I may be nervous at times, but I love that I serve a God who constantly stretches me so that I may be well-fitted for His service.  

I'll let you know how it goes!