Changing Seasons

I can hardly believe that fall is here! It is the first time in two years that I'm in Michigan to enjoy the cool weather (although we've been having that all summer this year), and to see the trees start to change (yes, a few of them are turning already)! I love it! I've missed fall and so many other things about being home!

But... least you think I'm getting comfortable and settling down to a normal life... not so fast! I am enjoying the comforts of home till the end of September, then I will be off again, to Haiti this time. It was a long summer filled mostly with the stress of looking for a teaching job... for those of you in education, you realize what a difficult task that is these days! After encountering nothing but closed doors for months, I began to widen my search. I sent letters of inquiry to two schools overseas, one in Haiti, the other in the Dominican Republic. Within one week, I had been offered jobs at both schools. While this is certainly not the direction I thought my life would be taking at this time, a wise friend pointed out that, it seems for whatever reason, God wants me on the island of Hispanola this year.

I've wrestled with the idea of "calling" as I thought about moving (again) to Haiti. In the past I've FELT the call to go overseas. Emotionally, cognitively, and spiritually, I have experienced a feeling of being "led". This time is different. The "feeling" isn't there as much, and neither is the certainty, but after talking with several trusted people, I'm redefining the concept of "calling". Sometimes God calls us by simply opening doors... our act of faith is to obediently walk through the open doors and trust that He will catch our hearts up with our feet. It may be similar to the principal of giving in the Bible, where your treasure is, there your heart will be too.... perhaps where your body goes, there your heart will follow too.

So, in the midst of this change of seasons in Michigan, I prepare for another change as well. I hope to keep up much more faithfully with this blog, so please continue to check it so you can pray for me and with me on this next journey with the Lord.