"No one said this would be easy, and it isn't."

The other day I tweeted "No one said this would be easy, and it isn't."

As I have laid in my bed sick the past two days, I desperately wished I could snap my fingers and be home. There is just something comforting about being somewhere familiar when you aren't feeling 100%.

Yesterday, to get to the doctor I had to take a boda, and then three more coming home (the last one being in the middle of a dust and rain storm. The driver got lost and seriously just dropped me off on the side of the road in the unknown). A motorcycle ride was not exactly what I usually participate in while feeling bad, but here, it is just part of life.

Today, I fought negativity as I desperately wanted to be home rather than in Africa a half a world away from the people I love. 

As I felt my fever rising I went to get a Tylenol and next to the bottle I saw an envelope that said "to my sunshine." I knew that whatever was inside was bound to make me feel better. I was right. 

It was a card my mom had given to me the day I left for Africa, and it said: 

"God made you for "such a time as this!" There is strength in obedience, hope in faithfulness, and peace when you call on His wonderful Name!

Don't let your heart and mind linger at home - focus on HIM and the beautiful boys and women that need HIM. That is where you will find the joy in the midst of pain."

Today, I am finding strength in my obedience. I am finding hope in my faithfulness. I am finding peace as I call on His wonderful Name. I am choosing to focus on Him and not the things I have always known as comfort. I am seeking Him and finding joy in the midst of [quite literally] pain.

The last part of my tweet was, 

"... but it is so sweet to know that I am right in the middle of the Lords plan!"

No, it isn't always easy, but it is always worth it. There is SO much joy knowing I am in the middle of the Lords plan, and there is so much joy seeing how he is teaching me and growing me both during the good days and the hard days.

God is so good and He is my sole source of strength, hope, peace and joy. I am thankful for opportunities to learn this and thankful for the wisdom of others to teach me this.

xoxo, 

Jordan

Missing this wise momma!