Oh I will never be doing that . . . .

I don't know about the rest of you, but I have said that phrase a number of times with all the intentions in the world of it being the truth. I remember saying as I graduated High School that I would never be going on for more school. I was done, I had had enough, but sure enough in the end I have completed 2 advanced degrees and am still working towards a third. I remember saying as a child that I would never spank my kids, but yet I had a discussion the other day where I affirmed that spanking is sometimes a necessity as a form of discipline sometimes required to curb certain behaviors. Well most recently I remember talking to several students in a preaching class that this would not be used much in my life as I never intended to become a preacher, and yet low and behold here I am about to finish my sixth week behind the pulpit, but not just any pulpit, but one in another country being translated into a different language to a different culture. I sit and wonder how this has happened. So many times in life it seems the God leads us into those things that we fear or dislike to teach us that we need to rely upon Him more than our own abilities. It is like anytime I say that is something I will never do God says ok well you just wait and see. While I am sure that I have not yet learned my lesson I think I am closer to not tempting God to help me work on any more fears or dislikes that I may have. all those areas that I do not feel gifted for or that I dislike always seem to be the areas that God sends me into. I remember just before I came on this missions internship if I was planning on becoming a full time missionary, and my response was, I really don't think so, but I believe that I will be working with missionaries in a support role of some sort. And yet again after almost four months on the field I can feel a direct guiding of God that someday in the maybe not so far future I will be heading out raising support (one of the most hideous of all tasks) to hit the field someowhere around the world to serve as His ambassador for the Kingdom. Just one more thing that I decided I would not do that God has decided is where He wants me to go. So to all of you back home and reading my babbling through my times here keep me in your prayers as I try to discern God's ultimate plan, or maybe just His near future plans for my life. that I would be open to anything that He has for me and I would listen closely to His directions. Thanks and may His great blessings be upon all of you.