The Postman brings many things to our doors. From store flyers to letters from friends to bills that we’d rather have been lost to packages we forgot we ordered. For me a couple of days ago the Postman made my day.
As many of you know, I sent away my visa application a few weeks ago. On the application it said that it would take 3-4 weeks until I found out if I got my visa or not. Needless to say, the moment that I put my application in the mail the worry and anxiety set in. I mentally prepared myself to go through 3-4 weeks of emotional turmoil while I waited to find out if I was accepted. Thankfully though I didn’t have to wait that long. It was only 14 days until I got the ominous envelope in the mail.
Well actually I didn’t get it in the mail, my parents did. I was out at camp when I got a text from my dad saying that the package from the German Consulate had arrived. And because I have no patience or self-control in these matters, I called him right away and asked him to open it for me.
Now if you’ve ever had to open an important, life altering letter before you know what I’m going to be talking about here. The way that you kind of stare at the envelope before actually working up the courage to open it. After all, what if what’s inside is the complete opposite of what you had hoped and dreamed for? Finally though through some sudden burst of strength (or because you just couldn’t bear to wait anymore) you open the envelope and accept whatever your fate will be. Well I didn’t experience any of that, because it was my dad who opened it while he was on the phone with me. What I did experience however was a solid 2 minutes that felt like 200 while my dad read all of the papers in the envelope to himself before telling me if I got the visa or not. And then wouldn’t you know it, he read all of those papers to me before giving me a definite “yes” or “no” as to whether I actually had my visa or not. Finally though he told me that…
I got it!!!
This is by far some of the most exciting news that I’ve gotten in my life. However I’m not home free just yet. Since I applied for the visa by mail, they can only issue it to me for 90 days. So once I actually land in Germany I need to make an appointment with alien’s authority to extend my visa to the full 5 months that I’m going to be there. For now though I’ll focus more on being excited that I got my visa rather than worrying about all of the things that could go wrong when I try to extend it.
The Lord really does provide for us and answer our prayers. There were times during this whole process that I questioned if I was actually going where He wanted me to, or if I had mistaken my own hopes for the voice of God. Sometimes the fears and the doubts get so loud that they drown out everything else; and the anxiety and worry come around so often that we welcome them like old friends into our hearts and our minds. Often times (especially in times like this where so much is out of my control) I allow for these deceivers to reside in my heart and mind, pushing and shoving the voice and direction of God out of my view.
Yet somehow in the midst of my doubt and worry and anxious thoughts, God still answers my prayers and provides for my needs. And that’s what makes Him so good; that even when we doubt if what we’re doing is in line with His will, He’ll still work in our lives to show us that we are walking in line with Him.
So I’ve gotten my flights booked, my visa all set, and my volunteer position squared away. All that’s left now is to plan, pack and proceed.
So let the planning begin!
Simply Katherina 