Morning Surprises

Yesterday morning we awoke to about twenty piles of cat barf and a leaky hot water heater that had started to flood our downstairs laundry room, continuing a string of frustrating trials and setbacks. Before we even discovered these things I actually prayed, "Okay God, I don't know what is going to happen today and I pray that you take these trials away, but if they are going to continue, please help us through them!" Shortly after that we noticed the barf and the leak. Matt and I just looked at each other and had to laugh. "This is ridiculous!" In all of this however we are finding things to be thankful for even in the trials themselves, like how lucky it was that we discovered the leak before it flooded the entire basement!

We have begun to really identify with the verse in 2 Corinthians when Paul says "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." Is this all a coincidence? I don't think so. We are getting ready to serve in a country in which the majority of the people do not know the love and freedom that can be found in Jesus. There is an enemy that wants to stop us and to discourage us, but we know and hold onto the truth that God has called us to serve the precious people of Indonesia and He is more powerful than any opposing force. I believe He has allowed these things to accomplish His purposes and we are being refined on a daily basis. There have been days of discouragement, frustration, and I have cried often, but we have grown so much! He has asked us to follow Him no matter what the cost. When I am reminded of the stories of lives that have been impacted in such incredible ways, it gives me a new perspective on our current troubles. Is it all worth it? You bet.

The culprit