Grateful to My Savior

Today went really well, despite struggling some with jet-lag. Jason and I attended two different meetings and enjoyed getting to see several of the people that we were able to meet last year that are helping with the research project. They were all very warm and welcoming, and many more details for the project look like they're coming together.

We also talked to the people who manage the apartments that we're staying in for a few days here in Nairobi with a friend. We'd really like to stay in the same apartment complex when we return in February, but it doesn't look like they have any vacancies at this time. Please pray that we either find a different place that will also be safe and affordable, or that a spot becomes available. Staying here would be very convenient to the hospital and getting around Nairobi, not to mention that is also beautiful, furnished, spacious, safe, and well-priced. :) Sounds a little too easy to me, but we'll see... :)

Our friend is a wonderful hostess and we have been enjoying fresh food, catching up on life, and taking a little time to relax. We're about to eat dinner and then I'm planning to take out the guitar for a little while and hopefully have some time of worship. I was nervous bringing my guitar but I'm glad I did. The case did get cracked in transport somehow, but the guitar itself is thankfully intact.

My mind is already swirling with so many thoughts, and is feeling a little foggy from time zone changes and tiredness, so the rest of this entry today is actually from my journal. I read several Psalms today and this chapter stopped me. It's full of so much encouragement, incredible thoughts, and hope. This is most of the chapter in form of my personal prayer. I hope that regardless of how you're day or week has been so far, that something in this passage will be an encouragement to you...

Psalm 139

Dearest Lord,

    Thank you that you have searched me and that you know everything about me. You know when I sit and when I rise. Even when my thoughts are confused or in turmoil, You understand them. Thank you that You are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Thank You for enclosing me with Yourself – both behind and before me is Your hand.

 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is too high, I cannot attain to it!

Thank you that no matter where I am, You are there. Everywhere I go, Your hand will lead me and hold me. Even darkness has no power over You.

 Thank you for forming every part of me. You began the work in my mother’s womb and are continuing Your work in me. Teach me to be thankful for the way You have wonderfully made me. I know that all Your works are wonderful Lord.

Thank You for ordaining and recording each of my days, before I was even created. Thank you that every single day is fully in Your hand – ordained and counted for.

How precious also are Your thoughts to me O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand. (I still can’t fathom this thought Lord!...)

Thank you that when I awake, I am still with You! I so desperately need Your Presence at all times Lord. All I want is to be with You.

I would prefer that every evil be removed from this earth – no longer to interfere with You, me, or Your work. However, I know that all evil will one day be destroyed by You, and that until then You allow it to continue for a reason.

Please search me, O God, and know my heart: Try me and know my anxious thoughts: And see if there by any hurtful way in me and lead me in the everlasting way.