From Amsterdam to Paris

Last week we had our one weekers arrive from Kansas! It was a great week. Father worked mightily in each of their hearts! It was such a blessing to be apart of it. We spent a lot of the day walking around parts of Amsterdam talking to Father and trying to have conversations with random people. My trek had a few really good conversations and got to share the good news a couple of times. So that was awesome! They were all really great. My students were so smart and gifted in different areas. My adult chaperon was so sweet, and he poured into each of our lives deeply! He was so so great to have for the week. My students were defiantly a little shy and quiet, but it worked out great! Father used it to His advantage! We had a great time, and they each came out of their shells little by little.They all were ready to be used and ready to jump into Father's work. They were such a blessing!

Bill, James, Emily, Addison, Me

Another great blessing that has come out of this experience has been the ability to walk closely with the other girls here. Father has really used this time to reveal different things to my heart. Listening to their struggles and how Father is moving in their lives really encourages me and teaches me things that I never expected to learn. It is such a great time of community and fellowship. They are such a blessing. Each of them has really been able to speak good truths into my life as well. They encourage me and challenge me in so many different ways. The two team leaders Kelley and Sarah have also been great examples to follow and look up to. They pour into Jessica and I with all their hearts and listen when we need to talk. It is such a great  group of girls to be spending time with. It has been such a great learning experience and has pulled me closer to Father and increased my dependence on Him.

We have also recently been blessed with some free days to spend relaxing and doing touristy things, which was awesome! After a week of students and craziness, the relaxation has been priceless. We were able to visit a seaside village in Holland, and visit some cool museums. Also, we were able to take a lot of cool pictures! I absolutely love Holland. It is beautiful. I am so sad to leave it! However, Paris is beautiful as well and filled with more History than I can comprehend. Our team from Amsterdam has split between two cities. I was really sad to leave Hunter and Kelley because they are two awesome people that make my life better, but Father has a plan. And that plan involves them leaving me. Anywho, I love my team! They really make it easy to be away from home for the whole summer. That is another great blessing from Father. Here are some more of my favorite pictures of us. (plus one of our friends from the hostel.)

 Since being in Paris, we have done a good amount of sight seeing! Paris is so beautiful, and I love it! This time spent relaxing has provided a good time to take a deep breathe and refocus for the rest of the summer. The end of July seems far away now, but I know it will be here before I know it. Despite that, I'm going to enjoy each day that Father blesses us with and be obedient to what He has called me to do. I'm really excited to dive into the work here. It's going to be a great time! Here are some pictures from Paris!

The Arc de Triumph!

Notre Dame- couldn't find any hunchbacks, though.

 

Less interesting to normal people, but monumental for me. PIZZA HUT!!! 

A really beautiful and old courthouse!

And the Eiffel Tower!!!! 

And finally, the obligatory ridiculous picture. Jessica and I with Mr. Thomas Jefferson.

Father is sufficient. He is enough to get us through whatever circumstance He may throw our way. He is enough to fill all the cracks and hurts in our hearts. No matter what anybody is going through, Father is sufficient to fill the void. He will sustain us through any storm or trouble. Acknowledging that we have no control over anything in this life brings a great peace and comfort. Father spoke the Earth into being. Trust Him with your plans. Trust Him with your heart. Follow His plan even though it may look scary and hard. He is sufficient to get you through it, and you will be praising Him by then end of it. Father has shown me His immeasurable might and His unconditional love recently, and how they go hand in hand. Father loves us so so so much, and He is more than sufficient to get through anything and fix any hurt or wound or longing. He will call us to things that are hard and aren't always fun, but He will get us through. And His name will be praised because of it. Even though I miss home and everything that comes with it, Father has captured my attention. So, I'm not constantly homesick or missing Oklahoma in any unhealthy way because Father has filled those voids with Himself. Where there used to be a deep longing is now joy and contentment. Father has stretched me and forced me to depend on Him in so many ways, and I am constantly humbled by how loving, gracious, and powerful He is.