A New Chapter

A new chapter in my book of life has officially begun. I have closed the Costa Rica/Bible school chapter for now (although I'm still in contact daily with amazing people that I met there) and am trying to take what I've learned there into my next chapter. I'm starting my second week at Indiana Wesleyan University where I will be focusing on Intercultural Studies/Spanish. My first week of school was fantastic. I am super impressed by the school and what it stands for. I almost feel overwhelmed by how many people here are so obviously seeking God in everything that they do. It's intimidating! But it provides a great environment in which I can grow, and I praise God for that.

This past weekend rocked my world a bit. I found out that one of my friends from my first semester at Port (Costa Rica), Jordy Gauthier, passed away in a car accident. It's been hard to deal with because all of us who were there with him in Costa Rica are now spread around the globe and many of us who would like to have the opportunity to attend his funeral probably won't be able to. It's so hard to have lost such a wonderful friend with a big heart, but I have peace knowing that He is with Christ now. (He actually became a Christian during his first semester at Port!) So I hope and pray that even though his death his ridiculously hard, some good can come of it and that people would remember how Jordy gave his heart and life to Christ. A few weeks before he passed, he actually got a tattoo on his back which read in Spanish, "He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defense; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Psalm 62:6-7"

That is just beautiful.

Anyway, God has been teaching me lately little by little to trust Him more and to really realize that He's got it! He's got it all under control. He loves me and knows what is best for me in each moment even though, quite frankly, I don't understand what the heck He is doing. Kind of like when our parents won't let us do something that we want to do-- At the time, we're frustrated because we don't understand why (and we throw tantrums and pout), but later, we can look back and be so thankful that our parents didn't let us do whatever we wanted, and we can realize that our parents disciplined us out of love and of wanting what is best for us, just like our Heavenly Father. I can trust that God is good, and I know that all things work together for good for those who love Christ Jesus.

My future is very wide open right now, and sometimes it worries me that I don't know what's going to happen in my future, or even tomorrow for that matter (look at Jordy!). But I don't need to worry, because if I trust in God, He will continue to lead me to right where he wants me to be-- through the valleys and storms and over the mountaintops--and I know that I am invincible until He calls me home. And as I grow everyday deeper into the heart of God, I can discover this real peace and joy that He offers, so that when the storms of life come, I will not be moved. I will not be shaken. This is the best way to live. I've got abundant life in Christ, let me tell ya. Jealous? You shouldn't be. You can have it too ;).

Love, Sophie