Waiting

The terrible thing about waiting is patience

It's been about 2 weeks since my last post when I decided to apply for the World race, and so much has changed in that short amount of time, as I'm sure so much will change just within this week. I feel like my heart and mind and soul have been in over drive with the anticipation of things to come. I had my phone interview with Cindy from the WR last thursday. I think it went really well, but in honesty I don't know the criteria for really well. I enjoyed talking to Cindy and it was great telling her about some experiences that led me to where I am in my faith and who I am as a person.. telling her reminded me myself. I am suppose to find out this thursday or friday if I am accepted to go in January... and I wish it were today, but I need to be patient. I need this time to really fast and pray and get to know the Lord even more, and be in such a place of trust that if I do not get selected i will be okay, and I will. There are so many wonderful things going on here in Portland in my life and the lives of my family that it would be a blessing to stay and be a part of them and I need to keep that perspective.
I love.....

• seeing my mom almost every other weekend
• getting to meet my youngest brother Jackson's girlfriend and see him embarrassed
• getting to go to the gym and shoot around with him and give him a thai massage..lol
• playing games with Christian and Stevie and staying up late watching movies
• Beating my dad, mom and sister at Texas Hold-em late at night
• taking a night time walk with my hugemongous puppie and seeing a beautiful Oregon sky
• spending time with my mom's side of the family, especially holding the newest edition to our family- Taelyn Luv, and getting to take hundreds of pictures of her
• family BBQ's with Uncle John and Aunt Amy and all our cousins
• Living with my best friend-my sister, cooking dinner together, snuggling up in bed and reading out loud to each other, Jane Austen-nough said.. random dance partays
• Hanging out with one of our best friends lena- going to concerts, dinner, sitting in lavender fields
• catching a view of Mount Hood, going over the St. Johns bridge, driving in the oregon countryside
• Taking the train to Montana for a long weekend to see gma and pa Metzger!
• The saturday markets and plentiful farmers markets
• Savor Soup with Nancy!
• The quirky people and places of Portland, especially all the carts
• Hiking up to and then wandering around the Rose Garden
• Our 100 year old apartment building- mismatched furniture, no air conditioning and all
• Laughing hysterically with mom and audi every time we are together. Mom is a super slow texter, but she does what she wampts..lol

There are so many things I didn't even mention, but all that to say: my time here has been so blessed and I know will continue to be blessed. Each day brings a new surprise and another reason to Thank God. 

I have been reading a lot in the Pslams lately and 2 that have really stuck out and been encouraging are psalms 32 and 33. Specifically 

Psalm 32:7 " For you are my hiding place; you protect me from all trouble. You surround me with songs of victory. The Lord says, " I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.I will advise you and watch over you... many sorrows coem to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord."

Psalm 33: 10-11 " The Lord frustrates the plans of the nations, and thwarts all their schemes. But the Lord's plans stay firm forever; his intentions can NEVER be shaken. 

vs. 15.) He made their hearts so he understands everything they do

Romans 1:8-10 " Let me say first that I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being talked about all over the world. God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart by spreading the good news about his Son. One thing I always pray for is the opportunity-God willing, to come at last to see you. For I long to visit you so i can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord. WHen we get together, i want to encourage you in your faith, but i also want to be encouraged by yours."

I am praying this for my raleigh family and the family i hope to soon have through the World race. I am praying this for the racers currently overseas just in everyday experiences, building relationships and times of hardships like team seven has experienced. God I pray you would continue to bless them and keep them. I pray you would keep their vision on you and not anything to the right or left. I pray you would cause total dependence on you, that earthly possessions would be of no importance, comfort of no importance, but pure joy and bliss from spreading your word, your love to anyone they come in contact with. i pray lives would be changed in your name, and I pray you would prepare me here in Portland to do the same. Whether I go in january or not I pray this time, these next days, weeks and months would change me often, that I wouldn't become stagnant or comfortable, but always uncomfortable in my comfort and open to moving where you need me Lord. I pray continually you would break me and feed me to thousands, use me in whatever way you can, Help me to open my heart to be willing, my mind to be clear and my eyes to see what you see.

" All that I do always concerns you. It's all your plan. You made it all everything I am."

Rae