New Beginnings

Today is the first day for me to blog.  It's an overcast day and the weather is cool.  It's only to get up into the low 80's today.  I spent the weekend studying for the Generalist 4-8 Texas state exam.  It's coming up on the 27th.   I also attended my church's service on Sunday.

The pastor's message was about "Wrestling with God" based on Genesis 32:22-30 in which Jacob wrestled with God.  The message was quite meaningful though I think the title of his message could very easily have been "Trusting God in the Midst of Adversity" or "Be Confident in the Lord" or "When in Times of Doubt, Don't!"

That's easier said than done but the bottom line is that the closer one's walk is with the Lord, the greater his/her faith will be, too.  And what seems insurmountable will seem like a mole hill and problems can be seen as challenges and opportunities to be cherished!  Personally, I am not fully grown up in Christ yet.  I still "wrestle with God" sometimes.  I think it is a process I will be going through until the day the Lord calls me home to Him!  And if I am persistent and wrestle with God like Jacob did, I  won't let go until I am blessed!

Since my return back from Thailand and more recently in the last couple of years that I have not had a full-time position and have been pursuing teacher certification to broaden my marketability.  It has been a time of personal reflection and evaluation.  I've asked myself and the Lord many questions such as these:  "What is the Lord's Will for me in this season of my life?" "What do You want to teach me, Lord?" "What is it that You want me to do next in service to You and Your people, Lord? Surely, there is still yet much You have prepared for me to do! But what is it and where is it, Lord?"

I have also cried out, "Lord, Your promises to me are true because You are Truth!  When I was 25 years old you gave me a second chance to live.  Remember, Lord?  And I told you then that I would serve you for the rest of my days.  I have not gone back on my promise to you either, Lord.  Therefore, though You are silent in these days, I continue to believe that You yet have great purpose for my life and that You are preparing me for whatever it is you have next for me!"

God is faithful and He has given me the answers to some of these questions and it has been a great time for spiritual growth.  I also believe He has told me to do the student teaching in January and to prepare for teaching Grades EC-8 (Bilingual/Regular) as well as EC-12 Spanish.  I have completed studying for and have passed the Bilingual EC-6 exam and the Generalist EC-6 exam. I have yet to take the Generalist 4-8, BTLPT, LOTE-Spanish, and PPR exams.  My goal is to complete all of this by Summer 2011.  Beyond what the Lord has told me about student teaching and my studies, I don't have clear direction or answers yet.  But I am trusting in God to continue leading me.  And He will! 

As you can see, there has been great uncertainty in my life as there may have been in yours, too.  However, even in the face of uncertainty, our Lord is certain, faithful, and unwavering.  He is always secure and we are secure in Him whatever may come into our lives or whatever we may find ourselves up against.  There is nothing so powerful that cannot melt in the presence of God's might.  There is nothing so terrifying that the love of God cannot cast it out.  There is nothing so overwhelmingly challenging that God's wisdom, insight, and enabling cannot overcome!  Truly, God is our Rock, our Refuge, and our Providence!