Live in the here and now

So........I GOT THE JOB!!! After many phone calls and many days of patiently waiting, I was told that I could start this week. I have two days under my belt so far and I'm excited about the next few months. I will be learning a lot and have a lot of hands-on experience! I know this is what I am suppose to be doing right now...that this is part of the larger picture. As I am sitting here, sipping hot chocolate with my feet up (snow day already..lol), I am just thankful to have a God who is conducting the orchestra of my life and He is making it into a beautiful symphony.

From now until the summer...Here are some things (not an exhaustive list by any means) I'm looking forward to (that I would have missed if I ran off to Kenya before God's timing):

• Getting to know 15 great kids at work, learning more about special education, etc.
• Being able to spend more time with family. Being around for my niece's 1st birthday.
• Sharing more about Kenya at different places (Girl Scouts, Family Fun Night, etc.)
• A disability conference in April
• Spending more time with the youth and being able to take a part in the Famine etc.
• Continuing work with my two clients (and being able to then work with them after the summer)
• Having the chance to see some of my Kenya friends in America (two that I know of might be coming for different reasons)
• Helping with training/planning for a team that is coming to Kenya in June
• Preparation of heart and plans for summer
• Growing friendships and making memories
• Much, much more in store than I even know

There is a picture in my apartment that has a saying on it. It says "Every now and then, live in the here and now." In Ecclesiastes it says, "There is a time for everything..." I don't want to miss what's happening here and now...i don't want to miss the joys and blessings of today. I know all things will come to pass that the Lord has intended.....I need to slow my pace and open my eyes....living each day and trusting that it will work together to get me closer to where God has called me.

For instance, I realized that I would be suited to help in all areas of the future children's home. For example, during my college years, I worked at a pharmacy and also interned as a chaplain at a hospital. Did I do these things because I was like " Oh, the Lord will use this when he calls me to start a children's home??" Nope, I just needed a job and I also needed to do an internship. But when there is a clinic on the compound and they need help with patients .....I have the skill set to be able to assist them. I've lately seen how the Lord has had me different places at different times all because it will be of use for His kingdom work.

Okay, I am going to continue cleaning, e-mailing, resting etc. on this snow day. Have a blessed day, week, and month.