Awaiting Departure

In anticaption of my departure for Athens, Greece; God is working on my heart. God is truly teaching me patience. I have learned that things do not come easy and they may not always come when you want it. I have been pushed outside my comfort zone and forced to rely and lean on the strengths of others. I being put in situations where I have to ask for help from others. Christ is showing me that it is ok to need help and that I'm not strong enough to do things on my own. I can only succeed in this mission that God has given me through the strength of God and not my own. I thought that by me saying, "Lord here I am send me" that things would just magically fall into place. Man did God have other plans for me.
In the past month or two God has placed many people in my path to encourage me and to lead me in a new direction. God is opening my eyes to a new day and a new focus. I have been a Christian for many years now, actully more years than not, and it still amazes me how God can contiune to teach me more each day. I'm learning that what I think is important and what I hold on too is not always what is best.
There is one person that God has placed in my life and I truly believe he was handpicked by God. I have learned so much from him in the past two years and God continues to use him in my life. I know that no matter what he will be there and will be behind me 100%. He is always willing to listen and give advice when needed. I love the fact that no matter how happy or mad I am I know that I can always turn to him. God has used him to teach me in all areas of my life and I will never be able to thank God enough for placing him in my life. He will be my best friend forever no matter what happens.
Also in these last weeks here God has placed some women in my life that will always hold a special place in my heart. They have taken me in and really showed me what Godly love is all about. They have shown me with actions and also words. God's love in perfect and He wants us to love others with that same love. What a statement that God wants us to love others with this perfect love, and when He says others He means everyone. He means our family, friends, enemies, and complete strangers. This blows my mind that I am to love strangers the same way I love my family but then it hit me. I am going to be in a different country surrounded with strangers and I am called to love them; I am called to serve them. How can I minister to this new country and new people if I choose not to love them. I have to go with an open mind and a heart full of the love of God because my heart is not enough.
I am choosing today to love others with a love I can only give with a heart united and fully commited to our Lord and Savior.