That Reminds Me...

Today's update was inspired by this morning's Faith Promise sermon by our friend Henry Siems, who reminded us of a passage we latched onto a few weeks ago as we contemplated our trip:

"...so the king asked me, 'Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart.'

I was very much afraid...Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king. 'If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my fathers are buried so that I can rebuild it....

I also said to him, 'If it pleases the king, may I have letters to the governors of Trans-Euphrates, so that they will provide me safe-conduct until I arrive in Judah? And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the king's forest, so he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple and for the city wall and for the residence I will occupy?'

And because the gracious hand of God was upon me, the king granted my request." -Nehemiah 2:2-8(ish) [NIV]

There's so much to be inspired by here! God sees us even when we are discouraged...he has a plan for our lives, and is willing and able to meet our needs, and give us favor with those in authority over us...he loves us, and is gracious to us, and his hand is upon us...we're so blessed to be his children!

GOD is the only way Aaron will be able to graduate from OSU in May, on time and under budget...GOD is the only way we'll be able to afford (and navigate) 2 years of volunteer service in Poland...GOD is who we're trusting to grant us favor and meet our needs...and he is mighty to save! :)