Gentle Leadings

Granada, Nicaragua

                                          

Today I was just marveling with a friend about how God has taken me out of my comfort zone in ways that were so right for me. 

Honestly, Nicaragua has never been on my radar. I am not a fan of hot climates or bugs or political systems that sound scary. I am quite fearful of the unknown and new situations. I am just not one who *needs* to venture very far. 

But the dream of adoption had been firmly planted in my heart and I had wait for YEARS for the timing to be right, for God to plant the same dream in my husbands heart... I was believing in faith that when my husband went with our church on a missions trip where he would live at an orphanage that the timing was finally right and it was so strong in my heart that I would have gone to the ends of the Earth to get my children. It was not without fear but it is hard to explain my determination. It was not of me for sure. 

Though I cried for the first two weeks (in every private moment and a few semi-private moments!), I was very thankful to live *in town* and that my husband had gone down first and prepared the way doing his best to make our living as *Karen-comfortable* as possible.

Now a missions trip...I've never been on a missions trip to another country before (I had tried to go to the Philippines when in college and it was pictures of the children in my head that drew me there but the door was closed). Trips and opportunities have presented themselves but I have honestly never been tempted to pursue them.

So...a trip to a Child's Protective Center that I have already visited directed by people I have met (and love) with some of my best girlfriends?? Really? Somebody pinch me!! It is a tailor made (GOD made), once in a lifetime situation that I cannot imagine saying "no" to! 

As I think about it I just feel so thankful that God is so good to me to know me so well as He puts treasures and blessings into those things He asks me to do. It is grace. Grace because I should say *yes* to Him no matter that task but by his love and grace he wraps it up in ways I can handle! 

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." ~John 14:27