I woke up yesterday with music from Disney’s movie Frozen 2 running through my head. My poor unsuspecting first hour full of boys earned the joy of listening as I played it for them during work time in an attempt to get it out of my head. One song in particular always strikes me as the lyrics so perfectly describe my life this past year-

Between lots of “OOOOO-ooooo-oh-ooooo’s” and belting “Into the unknooooOOOOOOOoooooown” three octaves higher than I can sing sits this tiny little verse…

Everyone I’ve ever loved is here within these walls
I’m sorry, secret siren, but I’m blocking out your calls
I’ve had my adventure, I don’t need something new
I’m afraid of what I’m risking if I follow you

Disney turned into a devotion as I paused the song and pointed out the reality of this in the lives of so many believers, are you afraid of what you’re risking when you follow Jesus? Are you afraid of what you’re risking if you give him your entire life, not just your heart, walking into the unknown?

This past month, I’ve been bombarded (in the best possibly way) with ‘knowns’- mostly in the form of emails…

“Hi Amy, let me introduce you to M, a wonderful person to ask questions to, and likely your neighbor when you move here!”

“Hi Amy, I’m your science department chair- my husband and I will be your host family when you move here, we’ll help set up your home, teach you where to shop, and how to navigate practical life here at RVA.”

“Hi Amy, your principle here, I thought you might like to see a little tour of your chem lab of where you’ll be teaching!”

[Click the link below if you want to see the video tour he sent me of my chem lab!]

https://drive.google.com/file/d/14Yr0ukzxZVCQxmDtmMPlwZX2sg-dYS1o/view?usp=sharing

“Hi Amy, this is J, I’ll be your mentor when you move here, a safe person you’ll be able to talk to as you learn what it means to live in a new culture.” [A really cool story in and of itself- J is from Rockford, MI and I’ve been stalking her through her newsletters and people I know who have told me about her for the last six months!]

It has been such a blessing to feel so welcomed already by my gracious, kind future coworkers at RVA.

While connecting with missionaries already there, I’ve also been able to connect with many missionaries at my church. I had the honor of participating in my churches Global Missions Fest.

The prayer support of the body of Christ was so tangible as I spoke in Sunday School classes and connected with others as I stood at my table in the lobby. Talking to other missionaries has been so affirming and encouraging hearing about the work they are doing in their own unique corner of the world, and their encouragement to me about what I will be doing.

“Wait, we didn’t get a chance to photobomb that one”

One in particular, H, was telling me how thankful she is to hear I will be teaching science as the local Christian school near where she has been didn’t have quality science education. She sent her children to that school for most classes in high school, but had her daughter enrolled in online science classes due to the need for quality educators in their science department.

What an exciting time it has been, replacing many “unknowns” with “knowns” as people have been coming out of the woodwork to encourage me and answer my plethora of questions. This month as I’ve been learning even more, it’s easy to re-write that verse from the Disney Song:

Everyone I’ve ever loved is here within these walls
I’m excited to love others as I answer Jesus calls
I’m starting an adventure, full of something new
There’s nothing thats not worth risking as I follow you…

Prayer Point:

Pray the Lord will give me balance in my time as I navigate mu busy schedule- wrapping up school at SCS, spending time with people I love, and the tasks still remaining to prepare to leave.

Praise Note:

I am officially cleared! I got a phone call from the Candidate Director at AIM that even though I am still wrapping up a couple of small things, they have cleared me! This means July 8 is officially my leave date and steps are moving forward to purchase plane tickets!