6 years ago, I was 7 months pregnant with my youngest baby and because of an American Visa requirement, I had to come to the States. I came with my sister while my husband stayed in Italy with my kids so that they could continue school. It was my sister's first time in America and we stayed with my dear friend Katie. She was so kind, she took care of us and even drove me from San Diego to Grace Community Church (2 hours away) so that I could take a look at the Seminary.
I have to say, I will always remember the looks on our faces when we finally found the church. Let's say that it wasn't in a neighborhood that we expected. The other thing was that I had only been in Washington State before and landscape here in Southern California is a little different.
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| At the Master's Seminary |
On the way back from that trip I fell on the escalator in the airport in Rome and I started having contractions. I knew if I had told the plane crew that I was having contractions they would have probably not allowed me to board the next plane to Catania, Sicily. It had been a long trip and I really wanted to go home to my family.
I cried and prayed that I would make it home, after all, it was only a one hour plane ride. I really didn't want to end up in Rome in a hospital away from my family and all alone.
Josh was waiting for me at the Catania airport with a change of clothes, ready to bring me to the ER. Thankfully I made it to Catania, the baby was fine, I ended up spending many weeks on bed rest.
But that was my first TMS (The Master's Seminary) encounter. Now I have been here in the States for almost five years. Josh has graduated with his M.Div (Master's of Divinity) and is now working on his Th.M (Master's of Theology).
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| Me and Katie near the fountain at Grace Church |
What Have I learned in Seminary?
If I can summarize in one sentence I would say that God is Sovereign and He moves things for the good of those who love Him. I have learned (and am continuing to learn) to trust Him when there are challenging times from a financial perspective, I have learned to trust Him in ministry opportunities and to trust Him for our future (I mean, I am not perfect in those areas, in fact it's a process and God is continually working in me). Romans 8:28 became not just a likable verse, but an actual reality.
He has open doors and opportunities and closed others. For example, our kids have always wanted a minivan when we were in Italy, they prayed and prayed, but nothing, until we came to the US. Even here in the States people told us that we wouldn't be able to afford a minivan with our budget, but God instead saw fit to answer our kids's prayer. We had always wanted to send our kids to a Christian school, but for several years the Lord didn't allow it until his timing was right and now my kids are attending a great Christian school.
These are just a couple of practical and almost silly examples of God's goodness towards us.
When I sit here and wonder about our future after seminary, trying to answer the same question (that people ask all the time): "what's next?" I can only go to Jeremiah 29:11
" For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to give you a hope and a future."
I know this verse wasn't meant for me, it's for Israel during their deportation days, in a time when they needed to learn their lesson. They were in time-out so to speak but God still had amazing things planned for His people. The same it's for us, He has amazing things stored for our life. He has plans and they are always good plans because are designed to bring Him glory with our life.
