1 Year in Whitehorse!

I am not skilled to understand what God has willed, what God has planned;
I only know at His right hand... stands one who is my Savior.

A year ago today, tired from a whirlwind trip to China, I arrived in Whitehorse on a late flight, immediately put my bicycle together, and biked to work the next morning to start my very first job as an engineer. When I arrived, I had no clue what God had willed and planned for me - all I knew was that He had brought me to Whitehorse. Now as I reflect on the past year of living in Whitehorse - I can attest that it's not as scary not knowing what God has willed and planned because knowing He is my Savior, my Father, my comfort, my friend, my provider, my source of joy and strength - there is nothing else I need.

I haven't lived in one place longer than 4 months for 8 years. This year went by quickly but it involved so much that it feels like I've been here much longer than 1 year.

Overall - this year was like a roller coaster. I felt like I was just moving forward so fast never fully being sure of anything but trusting I'd remain in the tracks as I tried to enjoy every fast corner, upside down loop, quick spin, and that unbeatable feeling of slowly climbing without knowing when you'd just free fall down the other side.

I can say for sure that I'm different from when I arrived. God has really been showing me His power and Sovereignty. I agreed and committed to be obedient and He is holding me to that! I don't think I've had more dreams and plans just taken away from me than this past year. Yet at the same time, I've also experienced so much blessing in giving up these dreams and excited to see how God will continue to guide me into His will and plan - not my own.

This past year was a mixed pot of being hard, easy, fun, frustrating, exciting, lonely, and awesome. It's been fun, easy, and awesome living in Whitehorse and getting to know so many great people and having such a sweet church family. I guess those first few months were the honeymoon phase. Month 4-6 were probably the toughest months of my life as I felt like God was working extra hard chiseling me. It was tough and painful but I'm thankful for it. God allowed me to deal with ongoing sickness, be challenged in getting over a commitment hump with work, experience pressures in relationships, and deal with loss... all for my good and His glory! From then on, I feel as though God has now been putting me back together. From being chiseled away and broken to being put back together and formed into the person He desires for me.

It has been a humongous blessing living here - I love it. Just as someone asked me today if I was planning to leave - my response is now "unless God clearly tells me otherwise, I'll be here another year!". My grip on my plans and dreams is much looser now because I've tasted the sweetness of being fully obedient and trusting God.

Thanks friends!