Metamorphosis

I owe ya'll an update...majorly.

 A lot of changes have been going on in mine and Jeff's lives recently. It all seems so quick, but at the same time the changes are things we've been praying about for months.

So, we are back in California, and have been for about a month. Originally we had planned to visit family and friends and head back out traveling. Now we are renting a one bedroom, one bath apartment in Orange County. Yes, I know...what?! Let me back up...

Starting last year, I had been wondering what I was supposed to do with my life. I haven't worked in about two years, and I'm blessed to have a husband that provides so that I don't have to. However, I felt like I was going nowhere with my purpose in life. Every time I thought about volunteering, or joining a movement, or group, I would find an excuse not to. Unfortunately, I felt as though I couldn't put any effort into anything unless I knew it was what I was called to do. A very 'extremist' attitude, for sure. So I started praying. I prayed a lot. Everyday I would ask the Lord to reveal to me what I was supposed to do. Everyone else seemed to know what their talents and abilities were, except for me. Well, it seemed as though my prayers were going unanswered and I was lost in this fog of 'who am I', and 'what's my purpose in life'. I've been there many times, but let me tell you...God ALWAYS pulls through.

That's when Jeff and I decided we would travel this year...we took months in preparation, selling our things, planning our trips, etc. I was so excited! I felt like I was doing something important, again. It was all I could think about. Traveling.

As it came closer and closer to our travel time, I continued to pray for the Lord to reveal to me my purpose. The more I prayed, the more I felt like the Lord was telling me that while Jeff and I were out traveling, God would speak my to heart and answer all my questions. So we traveled. We started from California, drove to Las Vegas, from Vegas we drove to Utah, and from Utah we drove to Denver in order to fly out to New Orleans. We also went to Georgia, and Florida.

While driving from Las Vegas to Utah, Jeff and I were talking about travel, life, and regular things. All of a sudden in the middle of our conversation, I felt the Lord speak directly to my heart and say, "Go to Bethel." It was so strong, that I stopped Jeff in the middle of what he was saying, and said, "I need to go to Bethel." - For those of you who don't know what Bethel is, it's a Christian School of Worship. It's located in Redding, California and is really well known for their worship program. They are also a college, and you can choose between a 1-3 year program. It's a fantastic school for those who want to be in the worship or ministry field. - There have been several other times in my life where I felt the Lord speak directly to my heart, and I knew without any doubt that it was Him. To name a couple, one was to move to the Central Coast of California. Which I did. I stopped partying, changed my ways, rededicated my life to the Lord, and met my husband. The second was when I was in Kenya, Africa on my first mission trip and the Lord told me that Jeff would be my husband...after only knowing him for 4 days. Both of those are huge decisions that have changed my life dramatically, and I'm so thankful for the Lord's leading.

Needless to say, I knew I had to listen. That night I started researching Bethel and I found out that their worship program was in the Summer. I had one month to apply in order to be accepted. I applied and was accepted, and will now be going to the Bethel School of Worship in July of this year. It's an all day, 11 day program where I will learn how to write songs, sing better, let the Lord guide me, etc. I'm so excited!!! I'm not sure where the Lord will take me after the program, but I know that He told me go, so I'm going.  He answered my prayers, and gave me my purpose. 

I believe that the Lord will take you out of your environment in order to speak to your heart. We often get so distracted by what's going on in our lives, our worries, our doubts, our confusions, that we don't give God the time or space He wants in order to let us know what's up. Sometimes we just need to be quiet so He can speak. 

I don't believe that mine and Jeff's travels are done. I believe we still have a lot of travels in our future, near and far. However, I do believe that what Jeff and I thought was our great idea of traveling, was God pushing us in the direction we needed to be in order for Him to speak to our hearts.

This is all just the beginning of the metamorphosis, I have other exciting things to tell you, but you'll have to tune into my blog tomorrow to read them. ;D

Psalm 18:30- "God's way is perfect. All the Lord's promises prove true. He is shield for all who look to him for protection."

Isaiah 55:8-9, 12- "My Plans aren't your plans, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my plans than your plans. Yes, you will go out with celebration, and you will be brought back in peace. Even the mountains and hills will burst into song before you; all the trees of the field will clap their hands."

-Em