Who Determines your Steps?

Things have been pretty middle of the road for me lately. About three or four good days to every bad day. Which I’m thankful for! I’ve enjoyed having a sweet older couple living above me. They are such an encouragement to me. They sometimes bring me little snacks and share meals with me. They make sure we always have water and keep the property clean. We’ve had a couple fun little movie nights and regularly take walks in the neighborhood. They have faithfully picked up trash around the lookout point across the street from us and around the village ever since they arrived in January and it has inspired others to join them. They were even in the local paper for their clean-up efforts. They are the type of folks that look for the positives in every situation and rarely express any complaints with the culture or other elements like crazy hot weather. They have challenged me to do the same. I fail miserably all the time but I catch myself a lot more now and think about how they would handle it. One of the verses they shared with me over and over is Proverbs 16:9 which says, “In his heart, a man (woman) plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” The wife of this sweet couple always says if things don’t happen the way we think it will, the Lord is knows that it wasn’t the right “steps” for us. That has helped when you live in a place where your expectations have to constantly be modified. Each and every day things don’t go according to the way I thought they would and it’s a growing process to trust that God is still in charge of my steps, even when my plans fail.

They just went back to the U.S. this week and I will miss them. But others have now returned from summer break and I’m very glad to have some friends around again. I got to know a few Canadian students that are here working on research for a couple months and we’ve had a few fun game nights and meals out.  I’ve been busy here and there with my job and also spending time helping out my friend’s international school. I helped with classroom arrangements and led some trainings for their staff. It has been fun to see it all take shape in a new building over the last 2 months. The other thing that has kept me hopping is planning activities, accommodations and tickets of all kinds for when my aunt, cousin and friend come to visit me. They are going to be here this coming weekend and I am all packed and ready to meet them tomorrow. This week has dragged by a little as I anticipated a much needed visit from those I love!

Nothing extremely note worthy or blog worthy has really happened over the last couple of weeks but I’m sure I will have plenty to share after my adventures with my friend and family. My apartment is finally complete with all furniture delivered and I am continually thankful for this great little nook away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Even though I frequently have thoughts of murdering the roosters that live next door. ;) It’s hard to believe I’m about at the half way point. That means I have to start thinking about the future which is something I always dread. As the song by The Clash says, “Should I Stay or Should I Go?” I’m still taking things pretty much day by day so I will just trust for now that the Lord determines my steps!