13 Years Ago

My blogaversary was 11/24/06.

I reviewed my posts and noticed that 13years ago marked my very first blog post.

I used to write a lot. This blog was one of the ways I shared with family and friends about life in Albania. I shared my highs, lows and in-betweens of living overseas.

Then at times, the blog would go silent.

I would stop writing, stop sharing. Too busy, too tired, not sure I had anything more to share. Nothing more I really could share. 

That’s what happened in 2016. The blogging stopped.
That’s when life just got increasingly more difficult for me. “Burn out” was on simmer. I was losing my way. My heart was unable to deal with the continued losses, changes, and stresses that came with our nearly 12 years of  working overseas.

It was too painful to share my true thoughts on this blog. I didn’t think that I had any right to be struggling emotionally or spiritually. I needed to just keep on keeping on. Be tough. Others had it harder than I did. I had no reason to complain. 

So I began to shut down. My blog. My heart. My emotions. Physically. 

It wasn’t a pretty sight. By 2017, I was a shell of myself. Empty. Tired. Hopeless. 

I had hit full “burn out” and wasn’t sure that I would survive it.

But I did survive. I wouldn’t want to repeat it. I have learned so much through it. 

And finally, I might just be able to share my stories and thoughts here again. That’s what it’ll be. My thoughts and opinions. I know not everyone will agree with everything I share. That’s ok.

I write to remember what God has done in and for me on my journey. I do not write for the approval of the blogasphere. Grace is living large in my life! That’s a wonderful thing.


Thankful for healing,

Krystal

Unspoken- Tomorrow (Acoustic Performance)

   

"Give me the heart to trust Your promise."

That hits home. Trust. His timing. His will. All for His glory.

"Tomorrow"

I give an inch to doubt and worry
They take a mile and wreck the story,
I chase the future 'til I'm tired,
I catch it then it catches fire

I don't wanna miss

This day cause it's a gift

I can't miss a chance

To leave it in Your hands

Don't know what tomorrow holds

I'm learning how to let it go

Jesus, You are in control

Of my tomorrow, tomorrow

Come and take the fear away

'Til there's nothing left but faith

I know You will help me face

My tomorrow, tomorrow

Give me Your eyes to see the moments
Faith like a child that can't be stolen
Give me the heart to trust Your promise
All that we need You'll shower on us

I don't wanna miss

This day cause it's a gift

I can't miss a chance

To leave it in Your hands

I don't know what tomorrow holds

I'm learning how to let it go

Jesus, You are in control

Of my tomorrow, tomorrow

Come and take the fear away

'Til there's nothing left but faith

I know You will help me face

My tomorrow, tomorrow

It's only when I seek You first, seek You first
That everything falls into place
It's only when I trust Your word, trust Your word
That every fear is washed away, washed away

I don't know what tomorrow holds

I'm learning how to let it go

Jesus, You are in control

Of my tomorrow, tomorrow

Come and take the fear away

'Til there's nothing left but faith

I know You will help me face

My tomorrow, tomorrow

It's only when I seek You first, seek You first
That everything falls into place
It's only when I trust Your word, trust Your word
That every fear is washed away

http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/unspoken/tomorrow.html

Music Moments: Unspoken- Lift My Life Up (Acoustic Performance)

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Take My Life & Let it Be ~ Wherever the Road May Lead

That can be a really difficult thing to say when we've got a tight grip on a particular situation, personal relationship or ministry opportunity that we've been struggling with. It's easier to sing those words than to live them. Don't ya think?

Recently, we took a little time away, to take a breath from being "at home and at work" in our host country. That's the only way to completely rest our tired brains from being in a different language and culture for days, weeks, months and years on end. We were able to think and pray, search God's Word and ask Him for clarity for some things. We returned "home" much more rested and a lot less stressed. That would be called a successful get-a-way!

Then, the first song I heard upon arriving back to our house was the one in the video. It just hit me right where we were. Giving God everything that we/I had been holding tightly to and asking Him to help us trust Him for the outcome. God is trustworthy. He knows what He's doing. He doesn't need me to direct Him. God wants me to just "lift my life up" and allow Him to work.

"Lift My Life Up"

You brought me this far so why would I question You now

You have provided so why would I start to doubt

I've never been stranded, abandoned or left here to fight alone

So I'm giving You control

I lift my life, lift my life up

I give it all in surrender

I lift my heart, lift my heart up

You can have it forever

All my dreams, all my plans

Lord I leave it in Your hands

I lift my life, lift my life up

Have Your way in me

Have Your way in me

If peace is a river then let it sweep over me

If I'm under fire I know it's refining me

When I hear You calling out I follow now wherever the road may go

I know You're leading me home....

 lyrics continued at http://www.azlyrics.com