Wow. This quote could not be more true and more reassuring. God's plans are so far beyond ours and for that, I am so thankful. Since I wrote last, life has changed dramatically and I am loving the season that God has walked me into.
After two weeks of student teaching, God gave me the crazy idea (it must be from Him, because normally I would not ever think of this...) to take the semester off school and continue with student teaching in the fall. The student teaching was off to a rought start and there are tons of other exciting opportunities that are happening this spring. I asked myself, AM I SO BUSY WITH MY OWN PLANS THAT I WON'T TAKE TIME TO SLOW DOWN AND WATCH GOD DO THINGS? The crazy idea slowly turned into a reality and after lots of wise advice from my parents, some great professors and some close friends, I am officially taking a semester off college!
Literally everyday, God confirms in one way or another that this is what He wants for me. Everyday is filled with so much - great friendships, long times to sit at coffee shops and read, and a flexible schedule that lets me serve people in my life. I am loving it. So far, I have been able to take care of an African baby from my church for a weekend, continue watching the six kids I have watched for over two years, spend time with friends, help the Mexico missions team at church with various tasks, etc. And there are some great things coming up this spring that I will now have time for...
My best friend, Rachel, is getting married in Arkansas in March; now I will be able to spend a longer time with her before she's hitched! After a year at Moody and three and a half months in England together, we have become friends for life. I have been looking forward to this wedding for a long time.
And the big news of the weekend...We got the call to travel to ETHIOPIA to pick up my new siblings! February 12 we will be flying out, February 14 we will be meeting the kids for the first time, and February 19 we will be heading back to the States. What a huge blessing that I get to see my siblings' home country, experience Africa for the first time, and be available to help my family with last minute details for traveling. 
So, there's the recent update. I think a theme of my life is: Go ahead and make your plans, but God usually doesn't go along with them. Somehow, he always makes better plans.
And, my dear friend Leah (who I met while studying in England and is currently a missionary in Sweden) recently wrote these words. It is an awesome way to reflect on the past year and start a new one with new adventures...
"And all the while learning new grooves of His heart that I hadn't touched in quite the same way before, being given new elements of faith, new boldness in vulnerability, realizing in ever-new measure what it means when God says He is enough..." -Leah Pearson (thanks for your wisdom!)
