In Awe

I'm just kind of in awe today. I can't really put into words except that I'm humbled and in awe by what God is doing in my life, what He has given me today.

First, I find out that I'm at top 30 finalist in the WestBow Press/Women of Faith 2012 writing contest! I'm a top finalist, one out of 30 in the nation, out of 456 writers or so.. how incredibly amazing is that?! WOW!! I'm surprised and it's having a hard time settling in my brain. Thank You, God, for this wonderful gift! And you know what's great about this? It came at the perfect time, when I really feel like this is a confirmation that I am moving in the right direction and God has other, bigger plans for me than I may have thought a year ago. Last week was tough. Faced with thoughts and struggles that made me question what I was supposed to be doing and if I needed to keep moving forward.

And keep moving forward I will. Because it's the route God wants me to take.

Also today, I signed up to go to Nicaragua in September with Compassion International to visit a few Child Development Centers, and visit my sponsored child, Freddy! I've been wanting to go for a year and a half, but now feels like the right time, and I've been praying and wanting to be proactive. I've been a bit curious as to where the finances would come, but God's been shaping my heart that I knew that if I signed up to go, He would provide and help me take care of how I would pay. I'm smiling thinking about it, because when I went to register I put in the 20% discount code I received due to the generosity of Compassion and my being an advocate with them (and God's graciousness, of course), it all took my breath away--- and unbelievable that just like that, my Lord and Provider smiled down on me and gave me a gift and an answer right there and then. What an amazing testament to the beauty and care and provision of my Lord God!! Praise His name!!

So, this has been quite the day for me. Those two great things in one day- it's almost too much to believe! But, that's the great thing about my God- I believe in Him to be big, and He is happy to show me how big He truly is.

I love You, Lord. Thank you for such a beautiful blessing of a day!