The "In-Between"

Last summer (2011), I quit my job, hoping that I would be hired at Calvary Christian Academy, got on a plane, and headed to Ukraine to work at an English camp.

It was absolutely terrifying.

I distinctly remember getting up early in the morning to have my quiet time with the Lord, and in the stillness of the dawn air, asking God if I had lost my mind. I prayed that prayer repeatedly, and I never felt like the Lord answered me… Until three days before we returned to the States. I had an email waiting in my inbox, informing me that I had not only gotten the job at Calvary Christian Academy, but I would also be able to work the amount of hours that we needed to make ends meet.

I thought it was really difficult/scary being between jobs. So, what about being between countries?

Before visiting Ukraine this summer (2012), I knew it was a 99% chance that we would be moving there shortly after returning to Colorado. But that 1% allowed Colorado to still feel like home. As we were in Ukraine, the chance of moving went from 99% to 100%, and just like my experiences in chemistry, that 1% really can make a huge difference.

I love Colorado dearly – it’s been my home all of my life. I was born here, raised here, got married here, and always imagined growing old here, but suddenly, Colorado seems so foreign, and Ukraine, well, doesn’t. So, as of right now, that leaves me in the “in-between.” Colorado is no longer my home, but I haven’t quite made it to Ukraine yet.

And moving is quite…unsettling (maybe pun intended… I haven’t decided yet haha).

In less than two weeks, we’re moving out of our apartment and into my parent’s basement. We’re selling all of our belongings [and if you need a car, let me know :) ], we’re giving notices at our jobs, and we’re deciding what, if much of anything, we’re bringing with us to Ukraine. I don’t know if my faith has ever been stretched this much. I know we’re doing the right thing, and we’re following God’s will for our lives, but when you can’t see the end result right in front of you, it really is, well, scary.

So, in all of this craziness, you might be thinking, “So, what exactly are you learning during this time of uncertainty?”

I’m glad you asked, here’s the breakdown:

-I am insufficient, but God is my sufficiency (2 Corinthians 12:9)

-I am weak, but God is strong (2 Corinthians 12:10)

-Leaving the place you’ve been for your whole life to follow after God’s calling is scary, but we’re not the first people to ever do something like this (Genesis 12:1)

-My life is not my own (I Corinthians 7:23)

-I can have confidence that the Lord will carry out His good works through all of this (Jeremiah 29:11)

-Even in my uncertainty, or discontentment maybe, God is bringing about GOOD things (Romans 8:28)

-I can trust in the Lord, and He’ll make my path straight (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Sometimes, I supposed it’s the “little promises” in the Word that end up to actually be really BIG. I’m so thankful that God is good, and He has made a place for us in Ukraine. And I can’t wait to arrive and settle into my new…(country)…(city)…(neighborhood)…(apartment)… (furniture)…(church)…(friendships)…(routines)...(ministry)…(work)……………...........…........home.

Lots of love,

Emily