Many are the plans in a man's heart. But it is the Lord's purpose that prevails. 

It's funny how the Lord has a certain plan in mind, and will do anything to make it happen. 

Instead of departing for Romania like planned, I will be leaving for Italy, and the to Romania to drive with the children of Aviano to the service trip. 

Woah. I mean, here I was, all packed up (which was NOT easy) and then I'm told this morning about the change of plans.

Flexibility.

That is something I am so not used to incorporating into my life, and yet, here I was sitting down, taking an anti-terrorist class and I nod my head and say, "Ok." 

What?!

I look back at this, and I'm thinking to myself, "This is not me. I am not this flexible. I freak out, call my mom, freak out some more, and then accept this situation." 

1) I didn't freak out.

2) There was no way I could call my mother, ergo

3) I didn't freak out

Wow holy spirit. Wow. You were able to move in me, stir and calm my heart, and set it on fire. I'm amazed. A month ago, I would have never accepted to be this flexible. But here I am, in EUROPE, and I just went with the flow. A huge flow, but I still went with it.

And my heart is weeping. Weeping with joy, because not only is the Lord moving my heart to serve him. Not only did he bring me to this beautiful continent, but he is shaping my heart to be a true disciple. To follow and obey when he leads me some where and to not question it.

Sure I was annoyed that I packed all my stuff, and will now have to figure out how to unpack for several days, but, I didn't question the plan. 

And in the end, that is what is making me weep; the fact that I'm changing. And for the good and for greatness the Lord has planned for me. 

Just a taste of the beauty I get to experience.

Toi toi toi,

Laura

I had promised to some that I would keep a blog of this summer.
So here we go.

"My son, if though come to serve the Lord, prepare thy soul for temptation.

     Set thy heart, alright, and constantly endure, and make not haste in time of trouble. Cleave unto him, and depart not away, that thou may be increased at they last end. 

     Whatsoever is brought upon thee take cheerfully, and be patient when thou art changed to a low estate. For gold is tried in the fire, and acceptable men in the furnace of adversity.

     Believe in him, and he will help thee; order thy way aright, and trust in him."

                                                                                     -Sirach 2:1-6

The Lord has interesting things planned for us all. Sometimes, we just don't see it. Sometimes we just don't want to see it. And sometimes, it falls right in our laps when we aren't paying attention.

This summer, I have the special opportunity to do the works of the Lord in a unique fashion. I get to minister to bunch of military brats who don't know stability. Who don't know where their identities lie. And my call is to show them the LOVE of Jesus. How cool is that? 

I get to make this significant impact on their lives by witnessing to them the abundant love of our Lord. My mind is blown.

And the Lord provides that love to me as well by sending me to Europe to do his work.

Speyer, Germany

So far, I've got to explore three German cities. Germany, a country I never thought I would ever be interested in visiting has stolen my heart. Maybe it's all the green, maybe its the simple peacefulness of streets of Germany, God knows it isn't the language. But my heart has been taken by the German countryside.

And it's ironic. That the countryside hold my affections, and not the city. Yesterday, a few other interns and I took a 3 mile walk from Schwetzingen to PHV. And it was all green and hills. The sun was shining, and all I could do was stare in awe. 

I know. I'm a walking cliche about the beauty of foreign lands. But there is so much truth to a cliche. The Lord send me here for the kids, for him. But he also sent me here for me. He sent me here to fall in love with works. Cool right?

These are ducks from Shloss Gardens.

I feel like these ducks. Following the Lord. Trusting. Ah its so good knowing that I have some sort of purpose. That my purpose is to do the Lords will. Reflecting on this in the Shloss Gardens (which is a massive 74 acres garden behind a castle in Schwetzingen) was a simple gift. I loved every moment of the gardens. 

And the city itself was just beautiful in its simplicity. And that's what I love about Germany. The simplicity. 

Maybe, just maybe, it will conform me to become a simple humble servant of the Lord. Just maybe :)

Toi, toi, toi!

-Laura