“On the day that the tabernacle was set up, the cloud covered the tabernacle, the tent of the testimony. And at evening it was over the tabernacle like the appearance of fire until morning. So it was always: the cloud covered it by day and the appearance of fire by night. And whenever the cloud lifted from over the tent, after that the people of Israel set out, and in the place where the cloud settled down, there the people of Israel camped. At the command of the LORD the people of Israel set out, and at the command of the LORD they camped. As long as the cloud rested over the tabernacle, they remained in camp. Even when the cloud continued over the tabernacle many days, the people of Israel kept the charge of the LORD and did not set out. Sometimes the cloud was a few days over the tabernacle, and according to the command of the LORD they remained in camp; then according to the command of the LORD they set out. And sometimes the cloud remained from evening until morning. And when the cloud lifted in the morning, they set out, or if it continued for a day and a night, when the cloud lifted they set out. Whether it was two days, or a month, or a longer time, that the cloud continued over the tabernacle, abiding there, the people of Israel remained in camp and did not set out, but when it lifted they set out. At the command of the LORD they camped, and at the command of the LORD they set out. They kept the charge of the LORD, at the command of the LORD by Moses.” (Numbers 9:15-23)

As I have done the past two summers, I decided to spend the month of June in Minnesota with my family. I enjoyed almost every minute of my time there. Highlights included surviving a severe thunderstorm that toppled many trees but didn’t damage the house, running my first half marathon race with my sister and youngest brother, a family trip camping in the BWCA (Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness), and visiting family and friends. The month passed quickly and once again I was returning to North Carolina, but this time returning was very different.

One of the things that was the most difficult about my return is that when people asked me why I was going back to North Carolina, my answer was based on a belief, rather than a practical reality. I was returning because I believed that was where God wanted me to be, rather than the fact that I was returning to school for another semester of classes, as was true in the past. Upon my return I struggled almost daily with feelings of depression and a lack of motivation to do most things. What was I doing here? What was my purpose? I was trying to seek first the Kingdom but I felt like I was floundering a bit so I began asking God to give me more of a direction so that I could run. During the month of July as I waited, I worked a bit and helped out with a couple youth camp events. Then, suddenly, God answered my prayer.

For the past few years on my birthday, which is at the end of July, I have asked God for a birthday present. I don’t really know if this is doctrinally right or wrong, but it seems He enjoys blessing me in some unique way on my birthday every year, and it’s been a way for me to grow in relationship with Him as I ask specific things and He answers in personal ways. This year I asked for a thunderstorm, but instead He gave me a direction. (For anyone who is curious, there actually was a thunderstorm the following day.) 🙂

On my birthday my dad called and offered me a full-time job in Minnesota for the month of August and part of September to help with a short-staffing situation. Though I had received multiple job and/or ministry offers and opportunities recently, this was the first time that I had immediate peace and was pretty sure this was where God wanted me to be. As I began taking steps toward making that happen, God continued to make it clear by completely removing every potential obstacle. There seemed to be green lights every way I turned. It was awesome to realize that though sometimes God speaks and then there are many obstacles to overcome, such as my trip to Wales last fall, there are other times when God simply removes every obstacle and lets us run. Both teach us something, and both reveal God’s faithfulness and power.

Since my current housing lease was ending August 1st, and having already made moving arrangements with a family in North Carolina, I moved two days after my dad’s phone call. Three days after that I was flying home to Minnesota to work full-time. I have now been back for almost four weeks and am experiencing great peace and satisfaction in what I am doing.

So what happens after I return to North Carolina? Honestly, I have no idea. I think right now what’s most important is that I stay tuned in to the voice of the Shepherd that knows how to lead me. I will wait until the cloud lifts, and pray that I will have the courage to follow the command of the LORD.