happy

In looking back over all my posts (less than a dozen, shockingly enough), I've realized that I use this journal mainly to talk to/about Gareth. I think the reasons for that are

1. I've told no one but Gar about this journal, and
2. Gar forgot the URL for this journal.

So, to catch no one up on what's gone on since my last post:

Gar left in December for a 3 month trip to the Ukraine (HE'S COMING BACK IN 10 DAYS!!! This is truly exciting. *grins*). I'm positive that his trip was God's will; although I still can't figure out why Ebenezer (the organization) sends people from various countries, pays for their housing and food, and then hires interpreters to go everywhere with these recruits and explain what they're saying. I have a hard time getting around the notion that it'd make more sense to raise money in other countries, pay the interpreters' room & board and send the interpreters (who're already running about up there) through the Ukraine. I'm sure Gar will tell me the full deal when I ask about it(in a much more polite manner then I've done here, because I really don't want to offend anyone - and especially not him - by being too forthright; plus the fact I'm really only slightly curious about this business anomaly). I can't say how much I'm looking forward to talking with him again.

It's blown my socks off that, during these past few months, I've had a much easier time of it than I ever would have imagined. I've missed Gar a lot, but my struggles have been dealt with by God and He's always made sure that "my Gar" was there when I needed him. The thing is, God has had me lean on Him first and then given me Gareth to cheer me up afterward. It follows by rote that this has been a real training period for me. I've been hurt a couple times, I've been discouraged many times, and once or twice my old "friend" Depression has tried to rejoin my company. God had everything well in hand every time and dealt with things as quickly as I asked Him to. That's been an incredible blessing to me. I've learned how to fight battles and to not lean on Man (literally :p ) before leaning on God.

It's great to have loved ones, and they're put in our lives to support us, but not every problem is a "run to so-and-so, they'll give you God's word on it" fiasco. God can, and does, speak for Himself. Also, I've had reinforced the lesson that God is the one who gives friends and who works it out for me to see them WHEN IT'S HIS PLAN. He knows how much I love people and how dearly I value friends, and there's never been a time that I've needed a friend and been alone. I'm really looking forward to everything God leads me into & to seeing what doors He opens before me.