How could we ever be bored?
Hello, hello, hello. Time for the best update you'll receive this week. Sit down, I'm about to pebble your mind. I say that because I think 'rock' is a bit heavy, so something smaller will have to do.
With eyes set on the Horizon, we set our sails to the guidance of Jehovah, allowing the Spirit to direct our steps, thoughts, and energies. With what result? Complete confusion.
You see, I am just not as smart as Paul was. I am much more stupider. I tend to be much more lost and confused than I imagine Paul was.
That being said, perhaps you personally understand what it feels like to be lost as to Jehovah's direction, despite the fact that it can be clear as day. I know that sometimes I am. He can lay out his guidance as obvious as an American in Uganda (remember that?) and I would still have a hard time knowing if that was his direction or not. Seeings how Jehovah will not strike it into the earth, write it upon the wall, or spell it out in the clouds, I have to be ever vigilant and attentive to know what he is directing! How would one such as me combat the said difficulties? Similar to writing until the pen runs out of ink, try until there is nothing else to try and let Jehovah handle the rest. Yeah. I just came up with that on the spot.
EDIT: I changed it a bit so the wording is better. And now you'll never know what it said. Ha.
We've tried a lot of different things to get us to be able to stay here, but so far nothing concrete has come of it. Yet. We have a few more tricks up our sleeves just yet!
THUS. We are brought to our POTP: Point of the Post. Here is our latest plan for staying longer:
Road Trip to Croatia!! Rent a car, pack some food, and hope for the best!
If our (misguided, not well thought out, and hipshot) calculations are correct, then we can slam into Croatia for about 30 seconds or so, rip the E-brake, and burn rubber back into Italy with a new stamp on our passports. Resetting our tourist Visa would give us another 3 months or so. The only problem with that is the lack of income, which we are currently working on. Updates later once we have something better to share, because so far I have nothing of any value to share regarding the money scene.
Honestly, seeings how I will probably never be back in Croatia, we are going to spend a few days there doing...whatever. I have no idea what there is to do there, but I am sure we can find something. Do some dancing (just for kicks), eat some stuff (because who doesn't love food?), and break some stuff (I never feel accomplished until something gets broken). Young and dumb, sure. But never boring. Once we got started with truly serving Jehovah to the best of our ability, it has never been boring, kids. Times have come and gone already that were on a whim and a prayer, and Jehovah has blessed it more abundantly than I could imagine. *whew* Just thinking back on my short life...
I'll make a little vid of Croatia if everything goes according to plan, so keep your eyes peeled for it! I'll also include some pictures either on my Flickr or right here on my Blog.
Sorry to bore you with the details of staying longer, but this is a side of serving in a high need territory that many people don't get to see. Most of what they hear about is the experiences and studies, which is the best part of it all, but these little things and efforts that we put forth are all part of the experience. I've learned so much even this far, so imagine how much more is to come! Placing everything in Jehovah, getting the car metaphorically moving and letting Jehovah steer is the most exciting thing I've ever done. I'm only 24 and I have memories of adventures, laughter, and tears that will last forever. How I marvel when I think of what the future will bring, not just in this damp hole of a world, but also in the fulfilled promise of paradise earth. How could we ever be bored?
Thank you ALL for reading and continually sharing this. All of your friends are encouraged to read along as well, and I of course appreciate the comments and questions. Let me know how I can make it more interesting for you! This is just so gleefully entertaining for me to share this, and what an honor for this little lad to have as you read along! THANKS!
~T
Trevor, I know exactly how you feel since I am in the same boat!! This whole waiting and trying to sort it all out is killer!! Just hang in there and it will all sort out :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Bradley. Nice to hear from a fellow needgreater, but how much better from one that I served with in Bethel! Sorry there is no reply yet, but rest assured, when I figure this stuff out I can tell you what I know. For all we know, we might be serving sidebyside again, huh? :]
DeleteUntil later
~T
You're an excellent writer.
ReplyDeleteWhy thank you! You're an excellent ninja, all anonymous and what. :]
DeleteWell, little lad, I hope the stamp in your passport does the trick and buys you a little more time. Are there jobs available to you that fall outside of the limitations of the country? Housecleaning, tutoring or errand running for American expats or American embassy employees? I heard recently of someone (not a Brother) that lives abroad and works as a professional blogger (right up your alley) for a travel website. Perhaps Jehovah already has the solution, but he's waiting to see how persistent you are... the trip to Croatia is certainly persistent! :-) I love your thought that when we really 'taste' and see how wonderful serving Jehovah is, even in this old stinky world, it is beyond thrilling to think of foerever in a world custom designed just for us by Jehovah himself serving him to our fullest. *sigh* Happy thought to end the day. Ya'll are in my thoughts and prayers! Keeep writing and I'll keep reading :-D
ReplyDeleteJennifer! How long it seems since we've heard from each other, huh? Oh well, lives are busy and such. As for the jobs, we're pretty much willing to try whatever will bring in the money, reasonably speaking.
DeleteBeyond thrilling is a wonderful way to describ it. And so true. Thanks for the support, prayers, and reads, Jennifer!
A writing job is what you need. Your words are very entertaining. All the best for the road trip. Hope the ploy of leaving And returning in such a short time works for you. Awaiting your next update
ReplyDeleteWriting jobs, huh? *google*
DeleteSeriously, google makes us all lazy. Besides the point, though. Thanks for reading along, I do actually really appreciate it!
I rather leave a comment in Spanish, it's easier (just use Google translator)...Tu blog es muy animador en especial para aquellos que planean servir en el extranjero. También el poder ver cómo sus esfuerzos son bendecidos, con la experiencia de ustedes, fortalece mucho la fe. So please keep up posting cause here in PR...we are avid readers of your blog.
ReplyDeleteHaha, lazy! Well, I do understand how draining translations can be, so I get it. If Google Translator was correct, then no thank you, I'd not like to try llama milk.
DeleteHa! Just kidding. Thanks, though, I really appreciate that comment. Serving overseas can be hard at times, but it is always worth it. Always.
I appreciate you reading along, everyone in PR, thanks!!
love your blog- maybe a travel blog is a gig you could do and earn income from adspace and such!
ReplyDeletei really relate to this post - in that i'm looking for Jehovah's direction to lead me into the pioneering field, especially serving where the need is great. i really wish he would just text me the answer or call me with directions lol. but like you, sometimes all we can do is keep moving forward and see where Jehovah drives us to. Had our circuit assembly visit recently and was reminded of the point that the only way to go left or right or straight, is to be in motion. a parked car can turn the wheel but you won't go anywhere unless the car is moving.
your blog really inspires me and i hope i can have some adventures soon because i LOVE adventure!
Ciao, Nadia. Come stai?
DeleteHaha, text you? That was the funniest thing I've seen all day! Maybe Jehovah is just providing more adventure by not giving us all the answers, huh? *shrug*
がんばって! I am in a constant state of confusion, go left, go right, go to Japanese field, go back to Tagalog, go to the bush to witness to villages? SAAN??!! But the nice thing is that I think I have learned more and gained a wider variety of experiences that way than if he just told me where to go. In my experience, when Jehovah was supporting my direction, he would make things fall into place in a way least expected at the right time. They didn't fall into place right away, often times it would look as though it was impractical to try, there were concern, but prayer continued, and at the last moment, it all worked out. Many times I would hear, "Maybe it wasn't meant to be", or "Maybe you should try something easier.", I would just say, "Maybe.". What is there he cannot accomplish if he wants to? He transforms people's personalities (in a good way) every day. It's great that you have this kind of goal in your youth, do your best, if it works, it works, if it doesn't, like Paul, Jehovah sees something we don't. As long as you keep moving, he won't leave you to idle with no direction. There's no need to doubt (although it's easy to do as imperfect humans) his ability to accomplish this if he wants to. All of you will be in my prayers to find the door that he wants and not to lose that zeal! Keep up the encouraging blogs!
ReplyDeleteYup. Sounds like me. Everytime I'm lost as to why Jehovah allowed something or directed me somewhere, I always begin to understand LATER when the dust has settled. "Oh, that's why..."
DeleteHe has never left me hanging, even if I've thought I was. How truly loving he is for that! You raise a good point, that the same power that he used to create heaven and earth is the power he uses to bless our moving vehicles! Well, maybe I added to your point some, but you get the idea.
Thanks for reading, Nautica. Ciao for now!