Counting God's blessings

        While in my teens and twenties I am not sure what I expected life to be like when I transitioned from that phase into my thirties.  I guess I assumed it would be similar to what life was like back then.  Life back then was characterized by many changes and new experiences.  I traveled, served short-term overseas several times, went to Bible school and college, and moved several times to work at various camps.  To observers it was a very volatile and changing time of life.  Yet there was a focus and purpose in the journey.  I was seeking to serve God and learn how to do it in a foreign culture.  My journey took many unexpected twists and turns but God remained unchanging and faithful.  I found God to be one of the few unchanging and steady parts of my life at that time.  I still find Him to be that for me.  He is the focus and His truth is the foundation on which I seek build life.
        Life feels more settled now.  Yet these last three years have held some very special changes. God brought a young man into my life. Three years ago we officially started our courtship.  The next year James proposed in September 2017 and we were married in May 2018.  During our first year of marriage we spent the summer in Erie, PA and then served in Kosova the end of August through mid October 2018.  What follows are some of the ways we have seen God provide as we started our married life together.
    First we saw God's provision in giving us each other.  We both waited many years as single young adults for God to bring someone into our lives.  And then in His timing he brought us together and we are so thankful.  There were times in the last ten years if I wondered if I would ever have the opportunity to get married.  Yet God sustained both of us through our single years and prepared us for this time of life together now for life.
    Second, as we prepared to go serve in SE Europe just over two months after we got married, God provided all the funds we needed to go.  God blessed our time there in so many ways as we served.  He gave us strength at camp, brought young people to the basketball club, and gave us opportunities to use our skills to support the work going on there.
    Third, we left our jobs and believed God would provide after we returned from our two months overseas.  And in the weeks after we returned we saw God provide jobs to make ends meet.   
    Forth, God provided as we sought him for many months about his direction for our lives as a married couple.  After three other opportunities did not open up, the door to serve at Shocco flew open.  After just an initial inquiry with an email and our resumes, the person who would be our future boss called two days later and we had an unofficial interview.  They had been praying at Shocco for a couple could come and fill this role and we had been praying for months for an opportunity to serve.  What are the odds that a camp in Alabama would find a couple in Pennsylvania to serve for the summer?  In God's perspective it was not by chance but by His design.  Another blessing that we saw as we prepared to move was that this camp is only 2-3 hours from both our parents and four of my siblings.
    Fifth, as we packed to move we did it by faith believing God would provide and guide us when our job was done at the end of the summer.  Half-way through the summer a full-time maintenance position opened up.  James' boss asked if he would be interested in the position.  They had us over one evening and they asked what direction we were thinking we would go after the summer.  We really did not know except that we were praying God would open a door to serve a camp somewhere.  After much prayer, asking advice, and consideration we decided that this was the next step and decided to step through this door that had opened.  With the job offer we were told there was also a house that camp owns and is planning to renovate.  They would give us the opportunity to live at this house next year when renovations were finished if we were willing to help out.  We were happy to do this.  Having a house was something we did not think we would have for many years and had resolved to live in an apartment for the foreseeable future.  Yet I can see God's gracious provision here as well.  It was not even something we were seeking, yet God decided to give us this blessing.  I look forward to opening our home to others as we have people over and get to know people here.
    Sixth, while we were away on a trip up north, God sent a group of volunteers to camp.  When we returned we found that they had been working to help get the major renovations started on the house.  What a blessing!
    Seventh, at the end of the summer, I met with a camp friend for coffee.  Out of the blue she asked if I would be interested in working part-time as her assistant this coming year.  I was excited about this opportunity because for many years I wanted to be able to work in an administrative role at camp if God provided a way.  Over the years I had knocked on doors but one never opened until now.  This was totally unexpected another blessing.
    Eighth, at the end of the summer we found out God had blessed us in another exciting way: we were expecting!  Finding out was so exciting.  As future first-time parents we know there will be many changes and challenges and blessings that come with this.  We are so thankful to God for this special little blessing that He is forming and growing.
   God has provided in so many ways. We never would have imagined the blessings that awaited us even just a year ago as we set out on this journey called marriage. These are some of the big things I have seen.  There are also many "small" ways that I hesitate to call small because they are precious treasures.  God is providing us with friends here.  God is providing strength each day.  God is providing fellowship with other believers through men's and women's Bible studies at camp and through church.  God has provided us with our daily needs and enough to share with others.  My heart overflows at His amazing grace and provision.  It would take too long to list all the ways.  So, I will sign off this post with gratitude to the gracious, loving, Sovereign and amazing God we serve.