Yesterday afternoon, I sat with the Nicholson kids playing some computer game. Melody the eldest girl came downstairs modeling two jackets, “Which should be my summer camping jacket? I don't want to be cold.” she added as explanation. She was wearing a lighter-weight, yet still warm Patagonia and in her hands held a bulky camouflage printed winter coat.
A few moments later she packed the heavier of the two jackets in a large tub with her other winter attire. She was ready for summer.
This morning I woke up and looked out the window only to see everything covered in a wintery white. It had snowed. I 
The weather patterns here remind me of life. One never knows what to expect. As a kid I wanted to go overseas and help people. I had seen some special on feeding hungry children and wanted to join the Peace Corp. As I grew older and read stories on teaching and teachers who really made a difference in children's lives I decided I wanted to be a teacher or a social worker. Of course there had always been the love for horses and animals in general. I longed to find a way to put it all together. So I enrolled in College taking classes in both equestrian studies and Early education.
Funny thing is I never finished school, I accepted the Lord and was so hungry for the Word that I had little interest in reading a textbook, besides I hated college. It was not my thing.
So I took a year off to do a DTS (Discipleship Training School) And felt God calling me into Missions. It was a big decision, for I was sure it would mean giving up all my dreams to pursue Gods. And as a full missionary is how I have spent the last 8 years of my life.
Most of time was spent running Rodeo Camps for kids (hmm horses and children) producing rodeos and reaching out to families across rural Wyoming. I have been overseas, working on ranches in Argentina, doing dramas in Brazil, playing with village children in Lesotho, helping expecting mothers in Turkey, volunteering in Kyrgyz orphanages, Homeschooling in Tajikistan, teaching English in Pakistan and in about 8 short weeks I will be moving back overseas to teach 6th and 8th grade for two American girls, daughters of missionaries who serve in a Muslim land that will remain unnamed since this blog is online :)
When I left my old life to pursue missions, I thought for sure I was giving up everything I had dreamed of to follow God. Yet He has enabled me to fulfill almost all my life goals. He took me in un-anticipated direction, yet surprised me with the adventurous and blessing placed long that path.
“God Always Gives His best to those who leave the choice with Him”
-Hudson Taylor Missionary to China
- "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.
Jeremiah 29:11
- For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope
New King James Version.
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Used by permission.
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