Steadfast Love

How can you respond to an outpouring of blessing on your life any other way than to give thanks to God?  My heart has been in a continuous state of thanksgiving this past week as time and again I saw the goodness of God.  June 7th, 2014 Ivan and I stood before close friends and family and said our vows to one another as we became husband and wife.  A friend of mine encouraged me to take time throughout the day to be aware of the moment and take it all in and not just fly through the day.  It did feel like I was flying, more like floating through the day.  There was a moment as I walked into a room after getting my veil placed in my hair, soon to get in the wedding dress, that my sister looked up, with tears in her eyes and said in a soft voice, "You look so beautiful."  As I rode in the car with my Dad to the ceremony, he held out his hand and I placed my hand in his and we rode in silence for awhile.  When did I become too old to put my hand in his?  That same hand covering mine and Ivan's as he prayed a blessing over us.  How did I come to be so blessed to have a heritage so rich in spirit?  I think of my grandparents, who are now gone, and their ceaseless praying and affirmations of God's unfailing goodness.  Those who have gone before me, preparing this path that I now walk.  The feeling of being surrounded by those who love me, standing by me in this sacred moment.  My heart cannot help but be filled with joy and thanksgiving.  Ivan and I sat in awe one evening as we thought about how our stories came together, how our obedience and faithfulness to God taught our hearts to love one another.  The road for us has not always been easy, the path has not always seemed straight, but we know without a doubt that God has been good to us.  We serve a good and gracious God.  He does not forsake us, He is with us always.  Some have asked me how I feel, and the one word that comes to my mind is peace.  I feel so much peace.
After the wedding, time flew by and it was a whirlwind of activity leading to our departure to Ecuador.  Running errands, buying last minute items, a friend's wedding in PA, spending special moments with family and friends up to the final goodbye, a day trip to Richmond to get the necessary paperwork for our marriage to be recognized in Ecuador, a special trip to visit my grandfather and show him the video of our wedding, and the daunting task of packing suitcases and boxing up whatever I leave behind.  The morning of our departure, when I entered the kitchen for breakfast, I found my sister crying and my mom told me the news that my grandfather had passed away.  The grandfather I had just seen days before and who had smiled and laughed with the video, had gone to be with his Lord.  Needless to say June 21st was a very emotional day for me and my family.  A very strange mix of emotions for me.  Excited to be starting on this new journey of marriage and to join my husband in Ecuador, working together with Young Life Ecuador but also sad to say good bye and to leave what is comfortable and sure.  What an incredible gift to know that I have Christ and He is a solid rock I can stand on.  This is what gives me a peace in my heart that cannot be shaken.
I sit here in the airport as Ivan and I make our way to Quito after a short time of rest at the beach.  Tomorrow we will make our way to Shell, our home.  We don't know how the rest of our story will turn out but we know that if we keep our eyes fixed on Christ, He is faithful and good.

"I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever." Psalm 52:8