off to grad school

there are ideas and dreams in your life that you never think will actually surface or become real. i am learning, though, that the desires of your heart are known and cherished by our God who plays out those dreams. it is so amazing to me that I can have an idea that i think will be good...but God changes it and turns it into something better than i could have EVER imagined.

ever since i was in elementary school, i thought i would meet my husband in college. my parents had met in college, and every other couple i met had gotten together in college, so i thought that is just what happened. when i went to college, i would finally meet my husband. well, when i was actually in college, it was totally different. at my small christian school, everyone was on the pursuit of marriage. people were getting married and engaged my freshman year! it was crazy. when i was at taylor (my college) i thought it was the thing to do. then, i graduated college with no husband and moved back to chicago. when i met people my age, they werent even considering marriage. they said i was too young to think about marriage. but when i was at taylor, it seemed like the perfect time.

i look back, and praise God for getting me out of that "i must get married to be successful" mindset. i was in such a bubble and lies were being thrown at me. i dont think it was intentional, but in an environment like that, the singles get the "i feel sorry for you...your single" look.

when i got to ecuador, it was also somewhat difficult being single because i was definately the minority within the american missionary community here. in a way, it was a bonus because people felt sorry for me and invited me over a lot. :)

during my time here, a lot of people have also told me that they are envious of my freedom and being single. i often get comments like, "i wish i was young again like you with more energy and freedom to travel and do what you want." its funny because when people are married, they want to experience "young freedom" again and single people want to experience marriage.

all this to say, i am very thankful that God brought me out of my thinking that single people have less worth than married people. if i had been in a relationship while i was in ecuador, i know that my focus wouldnt have been as clear. I would have been more distracted and not have been able to experience all that God had/has to offer me here. I am thankful for my freedom right now, and know that it is all for a reason. if i am supposed to be married, i know that i have to trust God with his perfect timing. because he has shown me this time and time again. every time i doubt, i remember jesus saying continually to his disciples, "ye of little faith" God has given me NO reason to doubt, so why do i do it?

i have been accepted to a grad program, called IslandWood. it is located on Bainbridge Island..just a ferry ride from seattle across the puget sound. i am extremely excited and extremely grateful for the opportunity! the program has an outdoor education focus. i will probably continue to finish my masters at the university of washington upon the completion of the 10 month program. well see!

i cant believe that i only have approx 3 more months here....i cant believe that i will have spent approx 2 years here...wow....keep walking with faith....thats all i can do.