I was challenged by a friend to not be counting down the time I have left, but to make that time count. Now, it has not been easy by any means and I have had my moments of being overcome by the sadness side of my situation, but I have also learned about the choice we have on our outlook on life. This doesn't mean it will always be easy or that I have to be in a good mood all the time, yet I can still have the joy of the Lord and make the most of what I have been give in that allotted time.
So, it is dead week, this last week of April and finals are the first week of May. I am leaving Lincoln on May 9th after church to drive six hours to Whitman, NE to the Gudmundsen Ranch for my research. Lots to do and little time to get it all done. Yet, also striving to enjoy time with dear friends and my church family. Everything will get done in one fashion or another-I am a Payton and a Walker (the two sides of my family). :)
Rest assured to those who actually read this, once classes are over and I am at the ranch, I will have more time to fill you in on the events of this spring and all of my upcoming adventures at GSL!
26 April 2010
06 April 2010
Transition
This is what people near and dear to me keep telling me. A time of transition. Who knew that transition would drive you to your knees daily before the Lord, crying out for mercy, forgiveness, grace, guidance, and a glimpse of hope. I knew this would be a difficult, stretching, and growing experience, yet I never could have imagined how much and to what extent I would be pushed....and I have only been here 8 months? Oh boy.
In this time of transition, I have been placed 1700 miles away from my family, church, friends, and everything I once held dear in this world. Talk about a challenge to trust completely in God to take care of those you love most, but cannot do anything except make phone calls to and pray for them. The fall was a time of adjustment to a new environment, school, city, and culture. Now, in less than five weeks, another adjustment-moving to the GSL ranch for the summer/fall to conduct research. Six hours from Lincoln, two hrs from the nearest Walmart, 30-45 min to the closest grocery store. To top it off...no cell reception unless you have a phone from a local company. OK!......
Shall we say, let's get back into letter writing? The one praise is that there is Internet....depending on the day, how well it will work.
And yet, God remains faithful through it ALL. Those little bits of encouragement provided to get through the next part of your day. The card in the mail. Someone smiling at you. A word of encouragement or bible verse. Company of a friend or short conversation with them. The sunset. Birds singing. The breeze blowing across your face. Praise God that He knows and provides exactly what and when we need it. His timing is truly impeccable! Just enough to keep going, despite the uncertainty of everything around you.
At least I am certain that He is with me every step of the way.
In this time of transition, I have been placed 1700 miles away from my family, church, friends, and everything I once held dear in this world. Talk about a challenge to trust completely in God to take care of those you love most, but cannot do anything except make phone calls to and pray for them. The fall was a time of adjustment to a new environment, school, city, and culture. Now, in less than five weeks, another adjustment-moving to the GSL ranch for the summer/fall to conduct research. Six hours from Lincoln, two hrs from the nearest Walmart, 30-45 min to the closest grocery store. To top it off...no cell reception unless you have a phone from a local company. OK!......
Shall we say, let's get back into letter writing? The one praise is that there is Internet....depending on the day, how well it will work.
And yet, God remains faithful through it ALL. Those little bits of encouragement provided to get through the next part of your day. The card in the mail. Someone smiling at you. A word of encouragement or bible verse. Company of a friend or short conversation with them. The sunset. Birds singing. The breeze blowing across your face. Praise God that He knows and provides exactly what and when we need it. His timing is truly impeccable! Just enough to keep going, despite the uncertainty of everything around you.
At least I am certain that He is with me every step of the way.
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