The Scoop

I thought I would give you the scoop of whats been going on in my life.... or, what is going to be going on.

Last summer, I graduated.
I had absolutely NO idea what God was going to do with my life.
All I knew was that I wanted to take this time while I am single to "serve God without distractions."
FYI...This sounds a lot easier than it really is.
I started praying.

I forget when... I was praying about what God wanted for me, when I randomly remembered a talk I had with a really neat girl after a volleyball game.

She had just come home from interning at a home for troubled women.
She told us about the home and the wonderful experience it had been for her....
Wow.... that's awesome.
And then... I didn't think about it for another two years.

Anyhow... I couldn't get the thought out.
The next day I found it online.
Vision of Hope (Click on it to see the site....)
It is a REALLY amazing place.
They have an internship program that I started looking into.

 *Insert a ton of details about God guiding that I don't feel like typing out because it would be long, just like this sentence, which I already know is a run-on, but you can't expect me to always keep the rules! *

Eventually, I started the interview process.

Two interviews later, God used the wisdom of the Intern Coordinator to really impact my life.

I spent the next few months reading amazing books (Aka.... life altering books!), and went for a ten day visit and conference.

During those ten days, God dealt with my heart on a lot of things, to an overwhelming extent.
When I thought God had showed me all that He possibly could.... He showed me another aspect of my life that I had to surrender.
It was life changing.

Oh, and Vision of Hope was incredible.
Flat out.

I came home and had absolutely NO idea what God was going to do.


Did GOD want me to go....
To Indiana?
For a year?


The fact that Indiana is 2,000 miles away and the commitment is a year long, definitely made the decision a bit harder.

Maybe a great family isn't so great after all....
JUST KIDDING!
People leave for longer than a year all the time...  but this is all new to me!

I waited.
Surrendered.
Cried.
Prayed.

God overwhelmed me with HIS peace.
I wasn't worried or scared....
But I was curious.

On Wednesday the Intern Coordinator called and officially invited me to be an intern at Vision of Hope.
I had the final decision to make.

AHHHHHH....
OK, God!
Now can you shout it out....
(Slow learner right here....)

I spent the next couple of days praying. A lot!

By day two... It wasn't a question.
I knew.
God didn't have to shout it out....

He made it clear.

Long story short.... or at least less long, I know that this is what God has for me.

I know that I will be all emotional for the first week.... and probably a bit longer.
I know that I will get homesick.
I know that it won't always be easy.
I know I will miss people.
I know the devil will try to discourage me.
I know I won't be able to make coffees for my customers.
I know it will be different.
I know it is way out of my comfort zone.

BUT!

I know that God will be with me.
I know that I will have to depend on Him.
I know that I have a blog, a phone, mail, email, texting, and I'll get skype.
I know that I will be a part of a wonderful team down there.
I know that I can visit home.
I know that distance makes the heart grow fonder... so I will still love my family and friends when I get back.
I know that doing God's will isn't always comfortable.... that's not what Christianity is about; it is about becoming more like Christ.
I know that the Lord has burdened my heart with hurting woman and He can use me with these women.
I know that the experience will be life changing.
I know that being in the will of God is the most wonderful place to be.
I know that GOD is more than enough.

Above all, I know that God is great.
I know that doesn't necessarily have to do with leaving.... but it is everything to me.
I serve an awesome God.
I sure wouldn't go 2,000 miles away if I didn't believe that!


Because of all that....
I am SO excited!
Excited to see all that God has planned for this year!
Excited to start a new adventure.
Excited to be a part of Vision of Hope.
Excited that I am God's.
Excited to pack a years worth of clothes in a couple suitcases.... oh, maybe not about that.
But, I am super excited!


He is in control.
He is leading.
He makes no mistakes.
He is faithful.

I trust Him.


Post summary: I'm going to Indiana for a year!

Have Thine Own Way...

This song blessed me today!

1. Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
   Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
   Mold me and make me after Thy will,
   While I am waiting, yielded and still.
2. 
   
3. Have Thine Own Way, Lord!

Steering Wheel or Spare Tire?

"Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?"-- Corrie Ten Boom

I read this quote and was humbled. So often I use prayer as spare tire rather than my steering wheel.

In the last year so much has changed for me! Life has become so much more complicated than which outfit to wear and what haircut to get. My decisions today are affecting the rest of my life and I find myself needing God more than ever!

When trials and confusion are all around, it is easy to run to the Lord for help. Yet, when the sun is shining and all is well, we can begin to think that we've got it under control.

I believe in the power of prayer. I know that God is listening and I have seen Him answer so many prayers.

Our cars have been faithfully used by God many times throughout the years. Friends have often said, "If the Soderbergs' need money, don't drive with them!" God has used our cars many times throughout the years to provide for many needs. There was the time that $2,600 in income taxes were due... Our poor Volkswagen was hit by an un-insured teenager who's dad promptly gave us the exact amount we had been praying for. Or the time a lady randomly backed into our gold torus car that paid for the school books mom had been praying for.

The Lord has shown Himself so faithful to us... I wouldn't trade those experiences for anything!

To think, that I, Helen Soderberg, can talk to the creator of the world, still amazes me! To know that Jesus, who died and lives for me, cares about every heartache and fear, is beyond my imagination!

Thank you, Lord, for prayer!

Sometimes when life seems gentle and blessings flood my way,

I turn my gaze away from You and soon forget to pray.But when the sky grows darker and courage turns to fear,My anxious voice cries upward with words you long to hear.Lord, I need You when the sea of life is calm.O Lord, I need You when the wind is blowing strong.Whether trials come or cease, keep me always on my knees.Lord, I need You. Lord I need You.

Lord, help me to remember I'm weak but You are strong.I cannot sing apart from You, for Lord You are my song.Although I'm prone to wander and boast in all I do;Lord keep my eyes turned upward so I depend on You.Lord, I need You when the sea of life is calm.O Lord, I need You when the wind is blowing strong.Whether trials come or cease, keep me always on my knees.Lord, I need You. Lord I need You.