During the process of planning this trip, my parents and I weren’t really sure where I should go. Most of the conversations made it seem like Johnson City, Tennessee, would be the best option; but after really discussing it, we found that the best place for me to go was Lititz, PA!
In Pennsylvania, we have a group of people who are like-minded and really grounded in family life and friendships. When someone new comes to their group, they're automatically surrounded with love and kindness. I love the group up there and am really excited to spend time with all my friends!
Before flying, I’m supposed to be preparing for my long adventure. I’ve never been away from my parents for more than three weeks, so this is going to be an adjustment, one I think I’ll adapt to easier than my mom. Just this weekend, I went away for ONE night and she kept texting me!
I guess I’m also supposed to be preparing my mind for what is to come, but I hadn’t really started doing that until Friday night. The rest of this last week I was kinda bored because I couldn’t think of much to do and was too tired to do any house work. I’d gotten into a fight with Jem at the beginning of the week and kept analyzing it every evening when I was supposed to be asleep, typical!
The fight was over something really dumb and unimportant, but it was the aftermath that caused me to question things. I won’t go into detail but I was sorta upset with his response, especially considering the fact that our breakup happened exactly this time last year. To me, it seemed like we were right where we had left off last September, which was not a good place to be.
However, there was good in the argument. It showed me that we needed to have some more space because we were talking too much. When you’re friends with someone, that doesn’t mean that you have to talk every day, almost every minute of the day. When I realized this, I was screaming for space and was very happy when I got some. I’m just praying that we will both be able to keep this healthy space and boundaries.
On Thursday, I got on a bus and went to Netanya to spend some time with Nathan and Izzy, before I leave. It was really nice to see them and hang out since it had been a couple of months since our last get together.
In the evening, we all bundled onto Nathan’s comfy bed and watched The Secret Life of Pets. I absolutely love that movie and enjoyed watching it with my friends. When it was over, we were all sleepy and didn’t want to move so we decided to camp out in Nathan’s room for the night. I lasted about an hour before sneaking off to Izzy’s room for more space and less snoring. haha
The next day, we all chilled, ate delicious vegan chocolate ice cream, and went to the beach. We didn’t have much time since I had to catch the bus at 4:30pm, but we made the most of it. At the mall, Nathan and I narrated people’s lives as they passed by (I really need to play that more often), we couldn’t stop laughing! Then, at the beach, I was able to wear my new bikini and get the last of my vitamin D before I travel to the cold climate of Pennsylvania.
The bus ride home was also an adventure in itself. When I got on, it was packed and I had to sit on the floor for over an hour! At one point, there was heavy traffic and the bus kept jolting with its quick accelerations and fast stops. Needless to say, I was feeling quite motion sick and was forced to look between a man’s legs to see out the front of the bus. Not the most fun experience, but definitely one for the books.
Before passing out, that evening, I remembered that I still had to read my daily devotion. At the moment, I’m reading Andy Stanley’s seven day devotional about visoneering. It’s a very good devotional that talks about making your dreams a reality and finding out what God’s purpose for your life and visions really are.
So, on Friday night I read Day three of the devotional. I wasn’t planning on being inspired by it; but before I knew it, I had an idea for this week’s blog and couldn’t wait to share the revelation I had, with you all.
The scripture that the devotional used to conclude the subject was John 15:5, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who stays in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit. Because without Me you are able to do naught!” At first, I didn’t really get anything out of the verse, but once I started reading the full chapter, fireworks started going off! There are so many things I could say about John 15, so I’m going to break down some of the different points, to you.
The beginning of the chapter starts off, “I am the true vine, and My Father is the gardener. Every branch in Me that bears no fruit He takes away. And every branch that bears fruit He prunes, so that it bears more fruit.” (vs.1-2) To me, this is encouraging because with Yeshua in your life, He will show you which steps to take in order to reach your goal, or will reveal the relationships that aren’t helping you grow.
This week, I saw how little fruit my relationship with Nathan and Izzy was growing. While I was with them, we only covered the basics in our conversations. They never asked me deep questions and didn’t seem to share very much. It was as if a wall was put up and we couldn’t jump over it.
The fruit of our relationship seems to have shriveled up, but for some reason, I’m not devastated about it. People come in and out of our lives for a reason, YHVH will help us know when they are being prosperous or not. I’ll continue to talk to Nathan and Izzy, but we are definitely not in the same place we used to be.
The next part of John 15 states, “Stay in Me, and I stay in you. As the branch is unable to bear fruit of itself, unless it stays in the vine, so neither you, unless you stay in Me.” (vs.4) With YHVH in our lives, we will produce the best fruit and live prosperously. Yes, hardships will come and we can go through dry spells, but that doesn’t mean that we’re not being watered and encouraged with our King in our lives.
I know that YHVH will always be with me, no matter what, because I know that He is my Savior and Elohim. Without Him, my life would be meaningless and I would be walking around in circles. It’s so encouraging to know that He will never leave us and wants us to prosper!
These are the verses that really got me thinking, “If you stay in Me, and My Words stay in you, you shall ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you. In this My Father is esteemed, that you bear much fruit, and you shall be My taught ones. As the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you. Stay in My love.” (vs. 7-9)
For me, these verses made me more certain that the path I am about to go on is the correct one. As I continue to grow in my relationship with YHVH and strive to be a godly woman, I have been asking the Father to send me back to the States so I can be around people who are like-minded and will help me grow in the areas that still need to be pruned. That perfect time has finally arrived and I’m not going to forget who made that happen!
I’m taking a big leap of faith by flying to another continent, alone, and staying with people who I haven’t spent immense time with. There’s something pulling me towards them and I know that it’s of the Father, my parents understand this as well. There is something I’m going to learn while I’m in America and you have no idea how excited I am for that!
Everything seems to have fitted together perfectly. The family I’ll be staying with, The Smiths, just got a vacant room after their last guest left, they just started going to a new chiropractor who is only seven minutes away from their house, and the sons of the Smiths are back from their trip to Asia so I’ll be able to spend time with them.
Being with the Smiths is always a blessing. The parents, Steve and Leona have serving hearts and want to make everyone as comfortable as possible. Their boys, Ryan and Justin are also really cool dudes who I get on really well with. They are really easy-going people and make me feel welcome every time I go to their house.
It’s also a miracle that this chiropractor is so close to their house! I’m so happy I won’t have to rely on Leona to get me to my appointments because I’ll be able to drive their little moped to the clinic! Like I said, everything is fitting together like a beautiful puzzle.
Like the scripture says, “If you stay in Me, and My Words stay in you, you shall ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you.” I asked YHVH to send me back to the States so I’m not so isolated and can get the right treatment, and He’s put all the plans together to ensure that I will be with the right people, getting the right care and fellowship!
The last part of John 15 that really stood out to me was, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, for that reason the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they shall persecute you too. If they have guarded My Word, they would guard yours too. But all this they shall do to you because of My Name, because they do not know Him who sent Me.” (vs 17-21)
I have witnessed first-hand the hate and persecution towards those of YHVH from those of the world. Through the years, I have heard my fair share of hate because I was different from everyone else. Some people were intrigued at my difference, but others responded by being unpleasant.
I also know that it’s hard to help someone understand the things you believe when they don’t know who their Messiah is. When they have an open heart and are hungry to know Him, then you have an opening; but if they don’t, you may as well be talking to a brick wall.
While I was with Nathan and Izzy this weekend, I tried to share with them about how I’m praying and waiting for my future husband; because every time I see Izzy, she’s either got suitors or is in a relationship. When I learn about these men she’s interested in and hear what she thinks, I automatically know that they’re not right for her. I feel bad because I know how desperately she wants to get married again, but there’s a better way to go about it.
I tried to tell her how amazing it is to wait and pray for the right person to come, instead of wasting her time on these men who are not going to be with her forever, but I was just talking to a closed door. I’m praying for her and know that YHVH has the perfect man for her, she just needs to stop being the matchmaker and allow YHVH to take the lead.
I know there is still more to learn, that I’m not fully walking in the ways of YHVH, but I know that I’ve made immense improvement from the girl I was last year! I’m no longer watching any old show or movie and am more sensitive to language and crude talk. I’m so thankful to YHVH for saving me and showing me the light!
Without YHVH, I know things would be a lot worse than they are. I could be living on the streets or with some guy who is not the chosen one for me. I can’t even imagine not being the person I am today and am extremely thankful to my parents for calling me out when I was straying from the path.
It’s because of their faith that I am now saved! They have loved me and raised me to be the woman I am today. There’s still a long way to go and a calling that’s waiting for me to uncover, but I’m loving every new lesson I’m currently learning and am so happy to have my parents as my biggest supporters!
This week, my final week in Israel for three months, is going to be a hectic one. My grandparents are coming home, I’m preparing for my trip, and working with my dad to redesign his website. There’s so much to be done, but I can’t lose sight of YHVH in all the craziness. I'm only days away from going on a trip that I’m hoping will change my life, forever. No pressure or anything. ;)