This morning I was just thinking and wondering about whether
it was God’s will for me to go on this trip. My thought was that nothing
dramatic happened that allowed me to be on this wonderful team and there had
not been this abrupt door opening, but when I looked at it further I could see
all the little pieces line up and I could really see that God had quietly
guided me and opened the doors so that I could sign up. I have wanted to study
abroad for a number of years and as soon as I found out about Israel, I could
not get it out of my mind. I went back and forth about whether I wanted to go
to IBEX because I had my heart set on studying abroad in someplace like India
or England. Then suddenly I realized that I would be going to the land that had
my Savior written all over it. I would be able to look at the Bible and stand
in a place and see somewhat of what it may have looked like in the times of
Jesus and in the times when Israel conquered the land. I began to get so
excited and all the other dreams for studying abroad faded to the background and
I wanted to go to Israel. The only problem was that I had heard that biology
majors are rarely able to go. My heart dropped and so the Fall semester of my
Freshman year I went up to my intimidating Chemistry professor and academic
advisor Dr. Jones and asked him whether it would be even possible to consider
studying about in Israel. He looked at my credits and said that if I wanted to
go, I was going. I couldn’t believe my ears. He then told me that actually during
many of the semesters, the second largest major in IBEX is Biology. I couldn’t believe
it. I immediately went and signed up for IBEX Fall 2012 because that was the
earliest possible date that I could go. I was accepted and had signed up for
IBEX two years before I would go. Back then it seemed like it was so far away,
and now I am four days away from leaving for the Holy Land. God opened the door
so that I could go to IBEX and he opened the door to a semester where so many
of my friends are going. The best part is that many other Biology majors get to
go, but I also know many people who are not Biology majors. I just cannot begin
to express God’s goodness and the peace (and EXCITEMENT!) that He has given me
regarding Israel and that I feel as I am about to begin this wonderful journey
with some of my best friends and people that I will soon be friends and Fall
2012 Ibexxers with!! =] This is just something that God laid on my heart this morning
and I decided to share. I also wanted to share this verse because it is so true
and because I am travelling to a sun-scorched land.
The LORD will guide you always; he will
satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You
will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
Isaiah 58:11
Love you all! =] Can’t wait to begin the travels to Israel!
No comments:
Post a Comment