10-4, over and out...

I know you get so sick of hearing me talk about how I had a hard day regarding being in Chicago and not in KY with my close friends and community, but {unfortunately} Thursday was one of those days...again. I don't know what it was but I was just really missing the fellowship and just the company of my dear KY friends.  I prayed and talked with God about my feelings and ultimately went to bed sad.  Wouldn't this story stink if that's where I left it??? :)

So I woke up on Friday and I hadn't been up too long when an Illinois phone number called my phone.  This may drive you nuts (as it does my husband) but I didn't answer it - I tend to not answer calls that I don't know who they're from and just hope that if it's important enough they'll leave a message.  Fortunately, this time it worked and a message was left that I listened to.  It happened to be a lady calling from BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) which I will be attending this upcoming fall.  I promptly called her back and immediately felt God speaking to me through this lovely woman.

Number 1: Talking with her was such a relief, as if I had known her for sometime - she really reminded me of someone that I hold very dear to my heart, my old Bible study leader, Frankie (I'm a Franklet for life!)

Number 2: She spoke with me regarding BSF and that immediately made me so excited for September to get here so that I can dive into this amazing study.

most importantly...
Number 3: She spoke with me about how I had recently moved.  Now, mind you, this was a short conversation, I didn't get into anything regarding my feelings or anything of details except for just facts: I moved here in October from Lexington, KY.  But what she said in response to that really touched my heart, she said, (I'm putting quotes around her words although I do not remember them word-for-word) "moving can be such a challenging thing, I know, as I have moved a lot in my life.  However, moving can also be such a blessing.  It's in moving that we see who our true friends are and it's in moving when we're blessed with even more friends...I know that you're experiencing that right now..."

I just wanted to say, "Thanks God, for listening to me, and for giving me a random conversation from a woman I have never even met before to speak Your words to me....I hear 'ya loud and clear!"

He hears you.  He loves you.  He knows what's best for you.
Kari!  Are you listening to yourself???

God is our refuge and strength, 
    an ever-present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging. 

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy place where the Most High dwells.

God is within her, she will not fall;
    God will help her at break of day.

Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
    he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

The LORD Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress. 

Come and see the works of the LORD,
    the desolations he has brought on the earth.

He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;
    he breaks the bow and shatters the spear,
    he burns the shields with fire.

"Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth."

The LORD Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress. 

              -Psalm 46