A big change of plans in our future.

We were suppose to be moving to Slovakia in August.

Me and Isaak were both very interested in continuing on with his current work position and this particular life path for our family, and we had a number of places overseas that we could have gone once our time in Burkina came to end this summer. We began talking about "what's next" well over a year ago and with all the places to consider, me and Isaak both felt very strongly, and we arrived at the same conclusion separately with the Lord's urging and peace....that Slovakia is where we should pursue.

We prayed and prayed and prayed over this next step, every step of the way. And there was total peace in moving forward.

We continuously prayed for doors to open and close at the Lord's will, and one by one, every door was opened for us to move there. And over the course of a year we felt such assuredness and peace that we were following the Lord's leading.

We were all incredibly excited for this new opportunity. We had not come to this decision lightly, but after lots of prayer, talking and consideration, we knew that like living in West Africa, Eastern Europe would be very different for us, but we were excited to embrace the challenges and change that would undoubtedly come with doing life there.

But here's the thing about following the Lord.....He's the leader.  

And if He wants to change the course we're on midway through the race....well, that's His prerogative.

We are still expected to follow Him no matter where He goes.

Even if it's different from where we thought we were headed.

And in this particular situation, He changed direction.
Abruptly.
He took a sharp right turn that we didn't see coming and instead of continuing on the path that led to Slovakia....He decided to lead us back home to the States.

We received some unexpected news in January on our vacation to the States, concerning Steven's health, and as a result, we were told that we need to return home.

It was a hard blow. Hard news to bare. We really didn't see this coming. Rarely, in life, do you see moments such as these coming. This new road we are on is not an easy one to walk.

But it is clear to me now, that going to Slovakia and remaining overseas was never God's plan for us. The plan, was and always is, to simply follow Him. Even if He asks us to step into the raging Jordan. Even if He asks us to walk out onto the water. Even if he asks us to stand up in front of a giant with just a sling and some stones.

"Follow me."
"Follow me."
"Follow me," he beckons.

He has asked us to stand in front of a giant that we feel ill equipped to defeat. But the battle is the Lords. He will see us through this.

And we will follow Him nevertheless. And right now we are following Him back home. For how long we don't know. Maybe we'll return overseas again someday. But right now, we need to go back. We found out officially on Monday that we have to be in the States in just five short weeks. So our time here is coming to a close sooner and with less notice than we anticipated.

But we trust in His sovereignty and goodness and provision to meet our needs as we embark on a new journey into more uncharted territory.

He led us to Burkina. Into this great unknown. He asked us to follow Him out onto the water, to step into the fast flowing Jordan with only the knowledge that He was with us. And in the midst of following Him here, to this foreign land, he has strengthened our faith, built our trust, taught us hard lessons, further shaped our character, and deepened our intimacy with Him. He has seen us through every obstacle, every challenge, every milestone made, every setback, every teary night, every joy filled praise, every broken prayer, every high and every low of living life in this country. He has brought us a son! He has given us community. He has unveiled our eyes to truth and needs and pain and a complicated beauty. He has burdened our hearts to share it. He has given us a responsibility greater than we feel capable to handle.

Sometimes, God asks us to keep moving forward, regardless of whether the end plan has anything to do with what we're moving towards. Sometimes, he just asks us to be obedient, just to practice walking in obedience. To continue the process of working out our faith. Even if he changes directions mid walk, even if he turns a sharp corner we didn't see coming. Even if he leads us down a dark alley that is not where we want to go. We're still called to follow Him. No matter which path He leads our life on. Left right straight sideways. The direction is up to Him.

But the good news, is that every direction we follow Him on...still leads to Him!

It leads to a deeper, more authentic faith. It leads to a more intimate relationship. Because through it all we are learning to trust. 

I am choosing trust. He has proven Himself faithful to me, to my family, over and over again. I have no reason to doubt that He is standing with us and will see us through this next season of life as well.

Because that's the secret. The secret the Philistines didn't see. Goliath saw David, a boy, approaching the battle line with just a sling and some stones. But David knew the secret. He was really carrying something much bigger with him. He had the LORD Almighty standing with him on that field. And it is He who insured his victory.

I, too, have the LORD Almighty.  And I can rush toward the battle line with peace and confidence, like David, because God is with me.