Landing back in January for another year in Ethiopia is always a quick adjustment.
One school, ETC, is preparing to start. The other school, HUC, is finishing the semester with exams.
There are two big holidays- Christmas and Timket. January is huge...
There's unpacking, cleaning, and reorganizing to do. The warm sun is shocking and the air often brings a cold and some nausea. But, having done it many times, I just try to get my legs back under me so I can stand up and run hard and confident into a new season. I'm really so humbled to get to live life here.
My Dad's birthday is also in January...it's TODAY... January 23. More on than in a bit... because about the great Jim Garrett, there is so much to say about this amazing Dad!!! I'm so proud to be one His girls. Here we would say..."Abat-te..yene ambasa"..."my dad, he's a lion! We love him so much!
2020. A new year. What will the new year bring? May God take the lead! All is in His hands and it's His call! We can trust Him to place us in His time and in His way.
When I was in Ohio for the holidays a few weeks ago, one song I heard repeatedly on the radio was "The God Who Stays" by Matthew West.
Those words have kept coming back to heart and mind as I've settled back in for another year here....
THE GOD WHO STAYS
(Verse One)
If I were You.… I would've turned around and walked away
I would've labeled me beyond repair
'cause I feel like I'm beyond repair
but somehow You don't see me like I do
Somehow You're still here
(Chorus)
You're the God Who Stays, You're the God Who Stays
You're the one who runs in my direction
When the whole world walks away
You're the God who stands
With wide open arms
And You tell me nothing I have ever done can separate my heart
From the God Who Stays
(Verse Two)
I used to hide
Every time I thought I let You down
I always thought I had to earn my way
But I'm learning You don't work that way
Have you ever like you've been left? Abandoned? Not chosen? Someone didn't stay for some reason.. and you felt forgotten and discarded?
Thinking back over my life, I've met so many people who have impacted me greatly. Some I thought would be there forever, but few have stayed.
Life has different seasons and God has different reasons for bringing people into your life. This one quote I read rings very true ...
But a constant in every season of my life has been.. God! He stays. It's shocking His ability and consistency to give us grace. To not run when it's deserved. To not abandon us or give up on us. He stays!
I think there's no greater pain than to feel abandoned or left.
Sometimes just life causes people to leave. Death separates. Changes in jobs or schools can create distance. Sometimes we choose the break. Other times, sin does or selfishness. Other times God might tell you to let go. But it all feels bad usually- to lose a connection. Satan likes to hit that wound over and over so confidence is crushed and hope. He wants you to lower your head and slump your shoulders and make you think you weren't enough for whatever reason and that you're alone. He's such a liar!
The good news is .. we have a God who stays! He believes in us...has chosen us. And He doesn't leave. Nothing can separate us from Him. We can base our life in Him and on Him and be fully satisfied in Him. That unconditional love is shocking. He lifts our head, enables us to stand on the heights and says...I am here, I'm staying with you!
You are chosen people
1 Peter 2:9
Nothing can separate us from the love of God
Romans 8: 31-39
He enables to stand on the heights
Psalm 18:33
I'm so thankful for the God who stays with me!
If you're feeling abandoned in this new year already. Or maybe feeling like you've never been chosen at all, don't be fooled. You are GREATLY loved. You have been chosen and not left. God goes with you into this new year. A faithful partner, a forever friend, a reigning and victorious King, a Good Shepherd, your Savior and Merciful High Priest. Take confidence in Him. He's with You!
May this be my greatest year with Him and for Him! This is my prayer for 2020!
Listen to this song and be encouraged ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHMVSdIjBcg
Today, I'm also grateful for another who has stayed through all the years and seasons of my life. The great Jim Garrett, My Dad. He has stayed with us, provided, encouraged and remains. No words for the example He is for our family and how much we love Him! Happy Birthday Dad! So thankful that God gave us YOU...to lead our family. We will celebrate you here and around the world!!! You're an example to us all! We're so proud of you! Please wish my Dad a Happy Birthday today or give him a hug or call (1-23-2020)
In 2020, may we stand on and with The God Who Stays. May we walk with Him and know Him, and we can thanks to Jesus. May we show others this unconditional love. May we share Him with others. Praying for you and please pray for me as well.
Other Prayer Requests for the New Year...
-Please keep ETC in prayer as the new semester continues to kick off this week.
-Please keep Hope University in prayer as my position transitions and that God places me in His best place. The semester is finishing and is in final exams now.
-Please keep my work permit in prayer, it's in process and is always a challenge.
-Please pray for good health and great impact, leaning on the God who Stays!
How can I pray for you?
Grateful for you, Stay hopeful in God!
Holly
One school, ETC, is preparing to start. The other school, HUC, is finishing the semester with exams.
There are two big holidays- Christmas and Timket. January is huge...
 |
| Adds Ababa |
 |
| Looking back, and planning ahead |
 |
| Holidays |
 |
| Christmas with the Kennas |
 |
| Timket... |
There's unpacking, cleaning, and reorganizing to do. The warm sun is shocking and the air often brings a cold and some nausea. But, having done it many times, I just try to get my legs back under me so I can stand up and run hard and confident into a new season. I'm really so humbled to get to live life here.
My Dad's birthday is also in January...it's TODAY... January 23. More on than in a bit... because about the great Jim Garrett, there is so much to say about this amazing Dad!!! I'm so proud to be one His girls. Here we would say..."Abat-te..yene ambasa"..."my dad, he's a lion! We love him so much!
2020. A new year. What will the new year bring? May God take the lead! All is in His hands and it's His call! We can trust Him to place us in His time and in His way.
When I was in Ohio for the holidays a few weeks ago, one song I heard repeatedly on the radio was "The God Who Stays" by Matthew West.
Those words have kept coming back to heart and mind as I've settled back in for another year here....
THE GOD WHO STAYS
(Verse One)
If I were You.… I would've given up on me by now
I would've labeled me a lost cause
'cause I feel just like a lost cause
I would've labeled me a lost cause
'cause I feel just like a lost cause
If I were You.… I would've turned around and walked away
I would've labeled me beyond repair
'cause I feel like I'm beyond repair
but somehow You don't see me like I do
Somehow You're still here
(Chorus)
You're the God Who Stays, You're the God Who Stays
You're the one who runs in my direction
When the whole world walks away
You're the God who stands
With wide open arms
And You tell me nothing I have ever done can separate my heart
From the God Who Stays
(Verse Two)
I used to hide
Every time I thought I let You down
I always thought I had to earn my way
But I'm learning You don't work that way
…but somehow You don't see me like I do
Somehow You're still here
Somehow You're still here
Have you ever like you've been left? Abandoned? Not chosen? Someone didn't stay for some reason.. and you felt forgotten and discarded?
Thinking back over my life, I've met so many people who have impacted me greatly. Some I thought would be there forever, but few have stayed.
Life has different seasons and God has different reasons for bringing people into your life. This one quote I read rings very true ...
But a constant in every season of my life has been.. God! He stays. It's shocking His ability and consistency to give us grace. To not run when it's deserved. To not abandon us or give up on us. He stays!
I think there's no greater pain than to feel abandoned or left.
Sometimes just life causes people to leave. Death separates. Changes in jobs or schools can create distance. Sometimes we choose the break. Other times, sin does or selfishness. Other times God might tell you to let go. But it all feels bad usually- to lose a connection. Satan likes to hit that wound over and over so confidence is crushed and hope. He wants you to lower your head and slump your shoulders and make you think you weren't enough for whatever reason and that you're alone. He's such a liar!
The good news is .. we have a God who stays! He believes in us...has chosen us. And He doesn't leave. Nothing can separate us from Him. We can base our life in Him and on Him and be fully satisfied in Him. That unconditional love is shocking. He lifts our head, enables us to stand on the heights and says...I am here, I'm staying with you!
You are chosen people
1 Peter 2:9
Nothing can separate us from the love of God
Romans 8: 31-39
He enables to stand on the heights
Psalm 18:33
I'm so thankful for the God who stays with me!
If you're feeling abandoned in this new year already. Or maybe feeling like you've never been chosen at all, don't be fooled. You are GREATLY loved. You have been chosen and not left. God goes with you into this new year. A faithful partner, a forever friend, a reigning and victorious King, a Good Shepherd, your Savior and Merciful High Priest. Take confidence in Him. He's with You!
May this be my greatest year with Him and for Him! This is my prayer for 2020!
Listen to this song and be encouraged ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHMVSdIjBcg
Today, I'm also grateful for another who has stayed through all the years and seasons of my life. The great Jim Garrett, My Dad. He has stayed with us, provided, encouraged and remains. No words for the example He is for our family and how much we love Him! Happy Birthday Dad! So thankful that God gave us YOU...to lead our family. We will celebrate you here and around the world!!! You're an example to us all! We're so proud of you! Please wish my Dad a Happy Birthday today or give him a hug or call (1-23-2020)
In 2020, may we stand on and with The God Who Stays. May we walk with Him and know Him, and we can thanks to Jesus. May we show others this unconditional love. May we share Him with others. Praying for you and please pray for me as well.
Other Prayer Requests for the New Year...
-Please keep ETC in prayer as the new semester continues to kick off this week.
-Please keep Hope University in prayer as my position transitions and that God places me in His best place. The semester is finishing and is in final exams now.
-Please keep my work permit in prayer, it's in process and is always a challenge.
-Please pray for good health and great impact, leaning on the God who Stays!
How can I pray for you?
Grateful for you, Stay hopeful in God!
Holly
