Life outside the Bible College bubble

It's been quite awhile since my last post. And I must admit that is mostly because I've had a bad attitude. I was doing some traveling, and I did get sick a couple times. But mostly I've been avoiding the whole self-reflection/seeking God/revealing my heart to others thing. Not to say that I have fallen into some deep pit of sin and depression, but just that I have felt pretty blah and didn't feel like sharing my blah-ness with those who read this regularly.

I am going to admit that I had some plans for coming home from Peru and jumping right back into my old life, but that didn't happen. My old life is gone. Logically, I knew this would be the case, but I somehow hoped I was different than everybody else. Not so, Rachael, not so. You too have a new life full of uncertainties and challenges. And I am finding that I have just as many here as I had there.

I came expecting to get a job... I had no idea that my job would be as an unpaid family chauffeur since my parents, younger sister and I share two cars and have crazy schedules.

I came expecting to help my brother and sister-in-law take care of the two cutest kids known to man... I had no idea that after just one month of being home they would move to California.

I came expecting to jump back into all my ministries and Bible studies and social engagements... I had no idea how difficult that would be without a car and a cell phone, especially living half an hour from where I lived before.

My life is not the same as I expected... my dad says, "Welcome to adulthood." And I guess he's right. I'm 21. I'm a senior in college. I have responsibilities. I have challenges. But I have Jesus, too. And I am not giving up.

I my not have known what I would encounter as I landed in PHX on that 747 and walked down the familiar carpet to where I would be reunited with my family. But God knew. He knew that I would struggle with the unknown and eventually find comfort in His arms. He knew I would stubbornly refuse to accept any reality I had not planned until it was just too hard to keep going. He knew that I would find true joy in driving my sister to school, and in serving two days a week at my church. He knew I would need only the couple friends I could still reach, even though I still want 100. He knew that a piece of my heart would leave as I kissed my niece and nephew goodbye and hugged my sister-in-law tight. He knew all this.

I have come to believe that most of my expectations are silly, and pointless, but God allows me to have them. He uses them to get me to move in the direction He calls me. Then, He allows me to be humbled by them when I am disappointed. And just when I think I can take no more disappointment, He steps in with beautiful surprises and proves His glorious faithfulness once again.

Welcome to my life. This is it. A series of expectations, disappointments and surprises. It's not easy, and sometimes not pretty, but always worth it. Because no matter how many times I let myself down, my God never fails.

One More Day...

Today, I crawled out of bed around 9:30 am. My nose running, and my mouth dry, hating the cool air on my arms and ever-so-grateful for my socks and extra blankets, I didn't exactly spring into action. I was up half the night try to figure out how to do what the medicine I took was supposed to. But, despite my current lack of health, I found myself rather joyful this morning. If you are asking why, then you must not realize how much I have been looking forward to this day.
Today, I celebrate one more time waking up in a city I have come to love.
Today, I get to return to one I have learned to call home.
Today, I will enjoy one more day with those who have become my family over the last year.
Today, I head into the arms of those I have missed all the while.
Today, I have one more day serving God in a different culture.
Today, I can step back into the familiar.
Today, I speak Spanish for one more day in a country that claims it with pride.
Today, I will speak English again without fear of being misunderstood.
Today, I have one more day. I have been blessed beyond measure to live this day to its fullest and to joyfully embrace the place God has me, all-the-while looking ahead with gladness at what tomorrow holds.
I have one more day in Lima, Peru, and one more day to serve my Lord. Today is special. It's one more day to do what I was created for.
So, I will not allow my cold symptoms to stop me as I say good bye to all my dear friends. I must admitt, I am not sad to leave. I am thrilled. I have had a very hard time smiling with the few goodbyes I've said. I am ready for the next step. I am ready to walk in God's good, pleasing and perfect will.
I just want to share a passage that has meant a lot to me this week, thinking about all the people who have continued to support me on this journey:

[3] I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, [4] always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, [5] in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. [6] For I am confident of this very
thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of
Christ Jesus. [7] For it is only right for me to feel this way about you
all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in
the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace
with me. [8] For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the
affection of Christ Jesus. [9] And this I pray, that your love may abound
still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, [10] so that you
may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and
blameless until the day of Christ; [11] having been filled with the fruit of
righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of
God. - Philippians 1:3-11 NASB

I am so pleased to know that my journey is not over. God has so much more to teach me, and so many more works for me to walk in. And I am so excited to go where ever He leads.

Our equipo in Arequipa

I, along with seven of my friends from Lima, was able to spend a great week in Arequipa with a team of young people from 5 churches from Virginia and North Carolina. We had a blast as we ministeredalong side Pastor Efrain and his church. We dug in the dirt, ate at a fancy restaraunt and experienced pretty much everything in between. This was a great trip for this group because it showed them a great variety of what Peru's mission field looks like.
I was happy to take part in their experience, and get to know yet another famous peruvian site. The team was amazed at arriving to Arequipa to find that those of use from Lima thought it especially clean and green. They almost cringed at the thought of something bigger, dirtier, and less green. I, loviing Lima as I do, basked in the sunshine we were able to enjoy as we went about our Father's business.
We shared Jesus in parks and schools, helped at a construction site for a new church, and came alongside the coffee shop ministry there. It was a blessing for me to see these young teens work so hard. I was refreshed in my spirit and reminded why I love ministry.
This summer has been a great struggle for me, and many of my close friends and family know. As much as I love Peru, this summer, my heart has been in Arizona and what is waiting for me there. On my trip to Arequipa, God gently reminded me that He has called me here for a reason. I am here to serve Him. I need to be focused on Him, not my ministry even, but on my God, my beloved.
With that said, I have one week left here in Lima, to enjoy my city and my friends before heading from the middle of winter, to mansoon season (God save me). I am planning to enjoy it. I know my next blog will be the better time to share this verse I have, but, just in case, I thought I'd share it now. This is a verse for the children's ministry team at CC Surprise, for my family, and for my fellow missionaries here. I came accross it last week while reading ahead during a team devo (shhhh... don't tell on me).
1 Thessalonians 2:17 -- "But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short while—in person, not in spirit—were all the more eager with great desire to see your face." (NASB)
This is my thought for you all. Though we are temporarily separated, my thoughts and prayers are with you. In fact, by that separation, my love for you is not weakened. On the contrary. My desire to be with you is even greater. I am excited to hear more about what God has done in my absense and to share what He has done in and with me.
God bless, and I'll see you soon. Very soon