Surprise!

On Sunday, Sarah talked about God being a God of Surprises.  The fact that the shepherds were the first told about Jesus must have been a surprise to them and to everyone else.  So, I started thinking about how God has surprised me.  Of course, the first thing I thought was that 2 Christmases ago I had not one idea about the country of Latvia and now – here I am!  That’s a big surprise and certainly all God’s.  God sends lots of little surprises too.  After church I was talking to Dana about doing some work at the training center and I felt the urge to tell her that she was a definite answer to prayer.  She got a surprised look on her face and said that I was an answer to her prayer!  We spent a few minutes talking about that.  What if I had simply made it a business conversation?  We would both have missed out on a blessing and a surprise.  What if I hadn’t listened to the little voice that has been telling me for months that I needed to involve Dana in my plans?  A lesson – I have to be in the place God wants me to if I want to experience His surprises!  Another lesson – instead of worrying today or even in the next few months about what I will do ‘after Latvia’, I need to wait and see what surprise God might have planned.  Who knows where I’ll end up!?  

Liz leaves early tomorrow morning.  I hadn’t realized how much I’ve enjoyed her being here.  A little bit of the US and a friend who’s willing to do just about anything.  I’m going to miss her.  And now, I’m the only American again!