Throughout 2012, the person who has most consistently tweeted her #365thanks has been Jennifer Hill. Jennifer has been faithfully persistent in voicing her thankfulness on a daily basis. Inspired, I asked her to write a guest post sharing what this journey has meant for her. She decided to write about giving thanks during a huge transition in her daughter Anna’s life. In her own words…
God’s grace is sufficient: The journey of my daughter Anna
Jeremiah 42:3 “Pray that the Lord your God will tell us where we should go and what we should do.”
“I felt that God was telling me that college wasn’t his plan for me this fall but who wants to break it to their parents that when classes start in two months you might not be attending?” -Anna
#365thanks –I’m thankful my daughter followed God’s prompting out of her comfort zone.
#365thanks –I’m thankful for the peace God gave me as she told me.
“I prayed that if I was hearing God right that He would bring someone to me to affirm what I felt I was hearing was from him. He didn’t bring one, instead he brought 5. The first one was two hours after praying, the rest were throughout the next week. From that I got the picture that I needed to seek Him for some new fall plans. I started feeling called to YWAM (Youth with a Mission).” –Anna
#365thanks –I’m thankful Anna and I were able to fast together to seek God’s will for her.
“I still don’t know how I found the Dominican Republic, San Pedro base website. I clicked on a long series of links and ended up there, and just felt at peace about it. I applied and kept pressing into God for direction and for the right doors to open and shut. On August 7th I received a phone call saying I was accepted to the September 20 DTS in San Pedro, Dominican Republic.” -Anna
#365thanks –I’m thankful for God’s guidance.
#365thanks –I’m thankful for God’s timing.
Anna flew out for San Pedro September 20 for 5 months. It may have been the hardest day of my life. I don’t ever remember crying so uncontrollably (and in public) but God’s grace was sufficient and even though my heart broke for the separation from my oldest daughter, I never doubted this was what she was supposed to be doing.
#365thanks –I’m thankful for God’s comfort in difficult times.
#365thanks –I’m thankful for the mother in the airport seeing my pain and offering kind words.
#365thanks –I’m thankful for my husband’s strength and for praying for my daughter when my words wouldn’t come out.
On December 17, Anna and a team from YWAM San Pedro will travel to Brazil to do outreach. They will be there until they travel back to San Pedro in February. She has been able to share the work they have been doing in San Pedro via the internet. I have been able to witness my daughter growing in so many areas of her life through the stories she has shared on her blog, FaceTime, and instant messaging.
#365thanks –I’m thankful for technology.
#365thanks –I’m thankful for the works God is doing in Anna’s heart.
God has confirmed to Anna that this is his plan for her. Anna has received all but $323 of the $6000 cost through donations from friends, family and anonymous donors.
#365thanks –I’m thankful for God’s provisions.
Anna will graduate on February 14 and fly home February 15. Lord willing, I will be with her in San Pedro from February 11-15 to celebrate all God has done in her heart.
1 Corinthians 2:9 “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”
Anna’s blog: www.unimaginableadventures.blogspot.com
Mark , Anna and Jennifer at Anna’s Graduation 2012
What are you thankful for today? This week? This month? This year? If you are interested in writing a Thankful Thursday guest post, email inspiredrd{@}gmail.com for more information.
