Dear precious friends and family,
Hello again! And Happy New Year (a little late)! I am always amazed at how quickly time flies by, and this year is no exception. It feels as though I was just sitting down to write my last update letter to you, but then I remember that two whole months have passed! Crazy! As I write this letter, the last of the snow has just melted outside from the unusual amount that we got here in Atlanta over the weekend – about 6 inches! That is the most snow that this Florida girl has ever experienced, so I made the most of it by making snowmen, snow angels, and having snowball fights with friends. We had a blast! I am, however, ready for some warmer weather to come! I am a little jealous of my Lima friends who are in the middle of their summer months. Those days will come soon enough, though, and when they do I am sure that I will find myself missing these cooler days!
As most of you know or have gathered by now, I am still here in Atlanta, anxiously waiting for the time to come when I am able to move to Peru and begin this new journey. I am still unsure exactly when that day will be. As I wait, though, I believe that the Lord has a journey for me to walk here and now – a journey that I have been reluctant to walk over the past couple of months. To be honest, this waiting period has been difficult. I am admittedly not a very patient person. Believing that the Lord is leading me on this journey back to Lima and having made the decision to go, I want to go now. I want the Lord to send a buyer for my house and make a way for me to be able to leave today (or at least soon). But, that is not what has happened. And, though (since I’m being honest here) I am not always happy about it in the moment, I do believe that God’s way is the best way for me, and I am learning to trust Him more with my life.
So, what is this journey that God has for me in the meantime? Though I have probably only experienced the very beginning stages, I believe that God wants to use this season to teach me to know and trust Him more. And, not just for a buyer for my house or other tangible provisions. I want to know and experience the Lord in His power. Last night at church, we sang these words:
The same power that conquered the grave lives in me…Your love that rescued the earth lives in me… (from You Are Here, by Hillsong)
While I know in my head that this is truth, I don’t experience that power in my life. I don’t love with the same magnitude of love that caused Jesus to give up His own life for me. I want to know that power, and I want to love with that kind of love. The Bible speaks to this in Romans 8:
If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. (v11)
Wow! As Ash Wednesday approaches and I consider the upcoming Lenten season, I want to set my mind on the things of the Spirit. I want to experience the life and peace that it brings (Romans 8:6). I want to experience more of who Jesus is and more of the power of His Spirit in my life. I pray that you, too, would consider your own relationship with the Lord and the journey that He has for you.
Thank you so much for your prayers for me and for your generous financial support. I am truly humbled and grateful.
Love and blessings,
Amy