Overwhelmed

Several weeks before I left the DR, a song by Big Daddy Weave started to play on my playlist. I was enamored with it. It’s called Overwhelmed. Maybe some of you have heard it. I thought it was a new release, but come to find out, it was recorded in 2012, but it was “new” to me. Part of the song goes like this:

I delight myself in You

Captivated by Your beauty

I’m overwhelmed; I’m overwhelmed by You

God, I run into Your arms

Unashamed because of mercy

I’m overwhelmed; I’m overwhelmed by You

It became my repeat song for several weeks. Every time it started to play, my eyes would tear up at the thought of the overwhelming greatness and beauty of our Heavenly Father.

I have been back for eight weeks, and it has been an adjustment and overwhelming in the most beautiful way possible. The dictionary definition of overwhelmed has more of a negative connotation than anything, but, in this context, to be overwhelmed is “to have a strong (positive) emotional effect.” This song has been engraved in my mind as I have driven throughout Central and Northern California and even as I have rested and spent time with my family.

Towards the end of June, I drove up to Humboldt County. Again, I found myself soaking up the beautiful scenery that surrounded me. It is a drive that I have driven often, but there was something different about it this time. I felt in awe and wonder at everything around me--like a baby would as they take in this great big world for the first time.

My first stop in Humboldt was the Avenue of the Giants. As I stood under the giant redwoods, I took in a deep breath and exhaled. The smell of the massive trees was refreshing. Little needles spiraled down to the forest floor. It was silent, except for an occasional creak of a tree and the surrounding foliage that rustled in the breeze. God, You are glorious, I thought to myself. I stayed for a few more minutes, knowing that I would be “making a day of it” within the next few days to soak up more of my Father’s masterpiece.

A few weeks ago, around dusk, my cousin and I took a little stroll on their property. As we walked, God showed off His artwork in the sunset that splashed across the sky. I have seen umpteen sunsets in my lifetime and have been captivated by many of them. But, this one resonated with me. It looked as though God had taken a paintbrush, and with one stroke, His Picasso canvas was complete. God, You are beautiful, I said to myself. We stared at the horizon for a few minutes, soaking in the greatness of our God, and then wandered back to her house.

Feeling overwhelmed by my Abba Father's creation doesn't just leave me in awe at what He created in nature. It has also left me feeling overwhelmed at the one He created in His image: us. It reminds me of the girls whom I poured into and loved on this past year and a half---the girls that marked me and changed me. It causes me to reflect (even more so) on the beautiful faces that I saw on the streets throughout my time in the Philippines. And, it makes me sit in overwhelming gratefulness at the people whom I will be able to encourage and equip, whose lives I will be able to touch through the hand of my Abba Father and whose lives will touch mine. But, more than anything, it makes me cry out:

You are Beautiful, You are Beautiful Oh God, there is no one more Beautiful You are Beautiful, God you are the most Beautiful

You are Wonderful, You are Wonderful Oh God, there is no one more Wonderful You are Wonderful, God You are the most Wonderful

You are Glorious, You are Glorious Oh God, there is no one more Glorious You are Glorious, God you are the most Glorious

Praises & Blessings:

• To everyone who has been praying for me these past several weeks: thank you! I feel more and more refreshed and know that this time of rest & relaxation has been good for my heart.

• I am officially on staff with Extreme Response! To tell y'all that I am excited is probably an understatement. We are currently discussing what the next year may look like for me travel-wise and what projects/initiatives I will be working on.

• It has been wonderful to catch up with so many beautiful faces over these past several weeks (Hoping to plan a road trip down south to visit some more lovely people.)

Prayer Requests:

• I am currently expanding my support base. If you have not done so, please pray about partnering with me monthly! I am praying for about 27 more people to join me at $50 a month. You may find out more by clicking on the "Donate" tab at the top of my blog page.

• Please continue to pray for the girls that I worked with in the Dominican Republic. Since I have left, a few have been reintegrated. Pray for their hearts as they transition back to life outside of the safe home.

• Please pray for ER (Extreme Response) partners and staff and the people's lives that they touch. Pray for their daily work, that they feel the Father's hand guiding them. Pray that they are refreshed while they sleep and that a hedge of protection surrounds them and their families.

* To read Extreme Response's latest update, click here: August ER News