One thing that happened, was just a crazy unbelievable mistake on my part. So crazy, and so unlike me, that I told Mark this has to have happened so God can show up and show off. That is the only explanation. The long and short of it is that I missed an important step in submitting my big EdTPA portfolio to Pearson and it has caused my scores to be delayed until a couple weeks after graduation. The university told me that I would receive an incomplete in the class and I could not get my degree or graduate until August. Since I need my degree to get my visa, and the whole process of getting the visa takes a couple of months, this was very bad news. Somehow some way I had to graduate on May 9 and receive my degree. God had to move this mountain.
Yesterday in church we had a guest speaker. Ever have those days where you know God planned the message just for you? Yesterday was that day. The word was from 2 Kings 6-7 and the subject was from "Famine to Feast". In short, there was a famine in Samaria, and things were really desperate. So desperate that the people were eating goat heads and dove poop. Along came the prophet Elisha and he says:
HEAR THE WORD OF THE LORD. (Ch 7:1-2)
"In 24 hours everything is going to change"
There is a lot more to the story, but this is the most important part. This is what I felt in my spirit God was saying to me. Both Mark and I were in tears by the end of the message. Last night, one of the two mountains, (sorry to be so private, but just know it was HUGE, and we were desperate for a change, and that we had been praying for WEEKS for a breakthrough) that problem completely turned around in a matter of hours. Like 180 degrees. Total change. Just as the Lord said.
Then this morning at 10:30 (24 hours from the start of church yesterday) I received an email. I am going to graduate on May 9. I will receive a "D" rather than an incomplete for the class in question. Once my scores come in, they will recalculate my grade. In the meantime, I have never been so happy to ruin my 4.0. (And it is only temporary!) Makes me wonder if God thought I needed a little dose of humility! LOL.
In the process of fighting these battles, facing these obstacles, praying for miracles, I have learned so many things.
1)Never ask to be tested, but know this: God uses every trial for good. During the testing you will become more dependent on God than you ever were when all was right in your world. And there is no better place to be than dependent on the One who has the power to move mountains.
2)We all need praying friends. Friends who won't just SAY they are praying but will actually do it. So many I could name that have been on their knees time, and time, and time again for our family over these last weeks. They were our lifeline.
3)Take the time listen to people who are in the fire. Look for them, seek them out and pray for them. Then follow up with them. Continue to lift them up until God brings them through. I know for a fact that I will be more aware of people who need to be encouraged and carried to the Father in prayer.
4)Know that nothing is too difficult for God and that in 24 hours, everything can change. Nothing can stop His plan for your life. When God calls you to it, He will bring you through it. Cliche perhaps, but true nonetheless.
There is a lot more to the story, but this is the most important part. This is what I felt in my spirit God was saying to me. Both Mark and I were in tears by the end of the message. Last night, one of the two mountains, (sorry to be so private, but just know it was HUGE, and we were desperate for a change, and that we had been praying for WEEKS for a breakthrough) that problem completely turned around in a matter of hours. Like 180 degrees. Total change. Just as the Lord said.
Then this morning at 10:30 (24 hours from the start of church yesterday) I received an email. I am going to graduate on May 9. I will receive a "D" rather than an incomplete for the class in question. Once my scores come in, they will recalculate my grade. In the meantime, I have never been so happy to ruin my 4.0. (And it is only temporary!) Makes me wonder if God thought I needed a little dose of humility! LOL.
In the process of fighting these battles, facing these obstacles, praying for miracles, I have learned so many things.
1)Never ask to be tested, but know this: God uses every trial for good. During the testing you will become more dependent on God than you ever were when all was right in your world. And there is no better place to be than dependent on the One who has the power to move mountains.
2)We all need praying friends. Friends who won't just SAY they are praying but will actually do it. So many I could name that have been on their knees time, and time, and time again for our family over these last weeks. They were our lifeline.
3)Take the time listen to people who are in the fire. Look for them, seek them out and pray for them. Then follow up with them. Continue to lift them up until God brings them through. I know for a fact that I will be more aware of people who need to be encouraged and carried to the Father in prayer.
4)Know that nothing is too difficult for God and that in 24 hours, everything can change. Nothing can stop His plan for your life. When God calls you to it, He will bring you through it. Cliche perhaps, but true nonetheless.
