Part of living by faith is learning to respond to the mysterious circumstances that God sometimes uses to direct our paths. There are times in life when despite where we anticipated to be, we find ourselves in another place. If you would have asked me a year ago where I would be at this time I would have told you that I could see myself living in Iceland for many years to come. Even as Gracie was diagnosed in April I remained hopeful that the condition would be treatable with a single procedure and we could plan for a return to Iceland some time after the 1st of the year. As the doctors said, "We won't know what we are really dealing with until Gracie is born." So we waited...
The night Gracie was born she had an immediate Echo-Cardiogram and at 1:30am we went to the NICU to find out what the results were. For us it was much more than just the results and treatment that we were awaiting, but also an indication of what our future plans would be. When we found out that the condition was severe and the treatment plan would require three surgeries, we knew the implications. We would be staying in the U.S. for the foreseeable future.
At this point, we do not yet know where the next step will be. I have begun the process of looking for a new position of ministry here in the U.S. and pray that the process will be swift, and trust that in due time God will bring us to the place He has prepared. I vacillate between calm excitement about the journey ahead and a sober sort of anxiousness to find some stability. Even more, I thank God for how He has generously provided for us through the support of our current employer and the generosity of friends, allowing us to enter the process with a confident peace.
So, what about Iceland? At this point it is hard to anticipate how God will work in our lives in the future and where this story will lead for the Garman family. It didn't take long to find a place in our heart for Reykjavik. Hardly a day goes by where I do not still exercise my language skills by reading the Icelandic news or one of the many novels I brought home. Further, we think often of our friends there, so many of whom have been so supportive with kind words and prayer during the past month. The mere mention of the word "Iceland" brings to mind a myriad of faces and sweet memories of all of our friends. The simplest answer to the question is, "We will just have to wait and see what the Lord does, He moves in mysterious ways."
God moves in a mysterious way
his wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea,
and rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines
of never failing skill,
He treasures up his bright designs
and works his sovereign will.
You fearful saints, fresh courage take;
the clouds you so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
in blessings on your head.
His purposes will ripen fast,
unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
but sweet will be the flower.
Blind unbelief is sure to err
and scan his work in vain:
God is his own interpreter,
and he will make it plain.
--William Cowper
3 comments:
Ég fæ blendnar tilfinningar (mixed feelings) þegar ég les þetta blogg. Ég er svo glöð að það gangi vel hjá ykkur og Gracie hafi staðið sig svona vel í aðgerðinni. Það styrkir mig líka að sjá trú ykkar og afstöðu, þið eruð svo samstillt hjón :)
En það hryggir mig að sjá að það verður langt í næsta spilakvöld hjá okkur, langt þangað til ég mun sjá ykkur aftur. Ykkar er sárt saknað hérna og ég vona að þið komist hingað aftur sem allra fyrst!
Við munum halda áfram að biðja fyrir ykkur. Þið eruð orðin stór fjölskylda, fimm manns :) Nóg að gera á ykkar heimili. Knúsaðu stelpurnar frá okkur :)
Iceland will always be in your hearts wherever God chooses to lead you. :)
Carrie
plant a church. with me.
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