My morning began when my eyelashes fluttered open and I became aware of the sunlight flooding my face. Mmmmmmmmmmmmm, mooorning! My body felt wonderful, rested, ready to go. I rolled over and sat up.
Perhaps I always take a long time to get ready, or maybe I was just in vacation mode. Either way, it took me at least an hour and a half before I stepped out into the morning sunshine after a delicious breakfast of oatmeal and yogurt. Sunlight licked my face with its warm celestial kisses. Trees bowed gracefully along the road. I dawdled, like Red Riding Hood, and soaked in the golden day. Adam would grow impatient, yes - but we would probably read all day anyway, so I might as well get all the sun I could. I thought of Erica, how if she were here, she'd reprimand us and say, "You can't stay inside on a day like this! Come outside! You have to enjoy this sunshine!" Then I replayed memories from my time with Gemma, Alley and Erica, praying for each of them as I thought of them. Soon enough, I reached Adam's flat, and my morning walk ended.
Most of my mornings during my visit with Adam began thus. The morning walks were like those sweet notes from God - just to remind me how much He loves me. I cherished them.
There were a lot of firsts during my time visiting Adam. First time speaking at an English youth group; first time to read Harry Potter (the whole first five books); first time to have English fish & chips on the sea; first time to London. I guess we stayed pretty busy! The best part was, of course, just getting to spend time with an old friend. We reminisced about Ravencrest quite a bit.
The house I stayed at belonged to a lovely English couple - Sue and Gus - who were members of Adam's church. I stayed in a delightful room which would have been the servants quarters back in the day, and accessed the kitchen via the servant's stairway. My mind imagined all sorts of stories that might have occurred in that house. Sue and Gus themselves were delightful and hospitable. We had some sweet conversations during my stay. Jack (Sue's father) and I also got along swimmingly.
Only a few days into my stay, we discovered that Adam's car had serious issues and that he'd have to scrap it and get a new one. As you can imagine, this whole situation was a bit stressful for Adam. Finances are hard enough without car troubles. I kept telling Adam that God could provide and that he ought to just trust and not stress out. Not even a day later, I got word that some of my plans had fallen through and that I had to buy another plane ticket. Please understand that my dwindling supply of mercenary funds was feeling stricken already due to the $-£ exchange rate. Hence, this was not the best news in the world. I tried not to panic, and looked at plane tickets... but I didn't have much time, so I delayed buying one until the next day. This was a terrible mistake.
The next day the tickets had gone up about $50. I stressed out a bit. Adam noticed my increased stress level and chucked back a few of the things I had said to him - that all would be well, it was an opportunity to trust God, etc. And I knew he was right.
I did get tired of being stressed out, so that day I took a long walk on the beach (you could see it from Adam's porch). Lord, you say to cast all our cares upon You because You care for us. You also say to be anxious about nothing, but through prayer and supplication to bring our requests before You. So here I am with all these anxieties, and I choose to cast them upon You. My request is that you supply money for these next months, because I have none left. Thank You that I can depend upon You to care for me.
That was the turning point. Having presented my requests to God, my heart suddenly was free to begin thanking Him, even though my situation was still as miserable as before. That's the beauty of it. "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Jesus Christ." - Phil 4:6-7.
I bought my plane ticket later that day, and there was a sort of peace that came when I booked it. My bank account was practically empty. I knew then that it was really NOT in my control. It was up to God to take care of me, and I had every certainty that He would. After all, stranger things have happened. When I got back to my room that evening, I made a list of all the ways God has provided for me in the last few years. My mind at peace, I fell asleep thinking, I am so thankful that I'm in this place of utter dependence on Christ. I know it will not be easy, but I am excited to grow into the better woman that He is making me.
Adam is a youth leader at a Baptist church, so he let me help out with the youth groups a bit. At first I was told that I'd be talking about David and Goliath. This revved me up, because that passage is an ideal one for a Gospel presentation. A couple of days later, Adam informed me that I'd not be talking about David and Goliath, but about myself. You can well imagine how my face fell. I would much rather talk about Jesus. But since it was settled, I figured I could find a way to sneak the Gospel into it. I did talk about myself... For about twenty seconds, that is, haha. To be perfectly truthful, I used my life as illustration, the Gospel as the backdrop, and the Bible as the text... and although I was a bit nervous, I could see that there were definitely some youth who were really locked in on what I was saying.
After the groups were done, some of the leaders approached me and said, "That was good for them to hear. We aren't usually that forward with them, but we really hope it stirs some questions." But for what reason do we live, if not to share the Gospel?
A few days later, Adam and I went to London. It was gorgeous. The day was sunshiny and warm, and we picnicked outside Westminster Abbey. We walked all over the city, crossed several bridges, saw the tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park and many other things as well. There were so many people. As you walk through crowds, do you ever find yourself looking at the strangers around you and wondering what their lives are like? They all have histories and families and worries as well. I found myself doing that several times.
At one point we passed a man in a wheel chair. For some reason I had a strong impression that he was blind. A voice inside me shouted, Go! Talk to him! Pray for him! But I carried on. "I do not possess gold or silver, but what I do have I give to you." The story of the beggar in Acts 3 echoed in my head. I continued still. I still wonder what would have happened if I'd just obeyed.
The next day a lovely couple (Adam's friends) drove me to the airport in London. We talked about Christ the entire way down, which was wonderfully encouraging. All went well with security and the airport, and I was soon on my plane. I journaled for much of the trip back, and stayed awake the whole flight. As my plane landed in LAX, my mind tried to register that my international travels, for the time being, were over.
Ah, but this is just the beginning. That's the beauty of it. Regardless of past successes or failures, I have the rest of my life to make myself available to all that Christ makes available to me!
This is going to be tremendous!
All fairest beauty, heavenly and earthly,
Wondrously, Jesus, is found in Thee;
None can be nearer, fairer or dearer,
Than Thou, my Savior, art to me.
