The Final Countdown

Wow... time has really flown by. I cannot believe that in exactly one week from today I will be in my new home in Alajuelita. I cannot say that these past few weeks have been easy in any way. With details regarding where I will be staying and with whom I will be living changing weekly, anxiety and stress have found their way into my heart lately. Although I do not doubt that GOD is calling me to Costa Rica for this next year, it is nonetheless frightening for me to be leaping into such an 'unknown.' However, something amazingly cool happened to me last week that reminded me of GOD's unwavering character and his undying love for me.

I went to church last week in the mood I have previously described: a fatal mix of fear, frustration, and freaking out. I left church, however, feeling rejuvenated and encouraged. It continues to amaze me that GOD can meet me where I am and completely strip me of all the excess baggage that is keeping me from direct contact with Him. The entire service was amazing, and the Holy Spirit was clearly "on the move" as we like to say at RCC. After a message on high expectations for GOD, I went down to receive prayer with relatively low expectations. I was overwhelmed with what I could see GOD doing in a friend of mine and was a little doubtful that He would chose to do something with me too. I mean two people in the same row on the same day, really?

To preface this a little, I ultimately decided to go for this gap year in Costa Rica after GOD sent me a blatantly clear dream in late December. I have never felt so sure that GOD was directly communicating with me and giving me a definite direction in my life. Not surprisingly, that dream has incredible relevance to me. To fast-forward again, the prayer minister praying over me on Sunday told me she had a picture for me. She immediately began to explain in perfect detail the exact dream I had in December. I was just so overwhelmed by how intimately the King of the Universe loves me that he would give me such a clear sign of encouragement when I needed it the most. I know that this is what GOD has planned for me. How can I attempt to deny His will in this situation when He has so obviously shown me His desire for my life? I will cling to that promise when I am overwhelmed with heartbreak, when I am homesick and missing my amazing family and incredible friends, and when I have doubts.

Although all of the details are not completely worked out yet I am confident that GOD has every piece in his hands. That experience was such an encouragement for me and I want to praise GOD and his unending faithfulness. He will never leave or forsake me. I want to end with a profound statement that Mary utters after Gabriel informs her that she will be impregnated through the power of the Holy Spirit and give birth to the son of GOD. Although I am sure she was racked with fear and bursting with logistical questions, she responds by saying: "I am the LORD's servant and I am willing to accept whatever He wants. May everything you have said come true" (Luke 1:38). That is my prayer as this week comes to a close and I head off for Costa Rica. I pray that my fear would subside, my questions about the little details will fade away,and that I am at total peace as a servant of the Most High. GOD bless you all, In Christ,

Becca