December 12, 2011

Galatians 4:11

"I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain."

Just last night Karlee, Janessa and I made dinner together, and were talking about how we could grow closer as a team. We have been struggling with that lately, as Janessa came later to Costa than Karlee and I. After some discussion, and with issues somewhat settled between us, I shared with the girls the notes I had taken from Pastor Phil McKay's message earlier that night (the other two girls were helping in the nursery, and weren't able to hear). I was excited to be able to share because the message is completely in spanish, and it has been a growing process for me in learning the language to understand and be able to then apply the message shared..

This verse wasn't one that Pastor Phil shared in his message. However, when I was searching for the actual verses to read to the girls I accidentally read this one instead of those that were correct. I had to chuckle with myself.. God did it again. One of the topics that us girls had discussed was the point that Karlee and I had come to Costa before Janessa, and had had time to share with one another, and to truly become close. We knew that this was able to happen because we lived together, and have been able to struggle through more things together than we ever imagined we'd have to. When Karlee and I shared with Janessa why we had grown so close, and suggested having one of us trade apartments with her so she could live with one of us and then the other over time, she didn't seem too fond of the idea. This was more-so because she had become accustomed to living by herself. It caused for some frustration when Karlee and I explained God had given us a peace about the decision to move us around (we both had been praying about it, separately, for some time), and that it would really help us unite as a team.

This verse was coincidentally just as we were feeling.. That we were afraid we had labored in vain. Karlee and I have experienced so much, grown and gleaned from one another through the trials we've gone through. The process of becoming closer was by no means, an easy one, for either of us, and God has really shown Himself present in our friendship through what we've been through. Now with Janessa joining, what we've seen, been through, and the things we've learned that have really helped us to be a team are almost diminished because we're starting all over again with a new member. That's not a problem, it's a growing process, and it has been on our hearts to make ourselves as willing to be close as possible because, as Karlee emphasizes, "there's a reason God put us all three here in Costa Rica at the same time..."

Janessa is in prayer as to what God will show her to do, whether He tells her she is fine living next door with her own time but still visiting Karlee and I every so often, or one of us moving, and doing the same thing ourselves. Whatever God shows her, I know He will give her a peace about it. It's just my prayer that I would be able to have a peace about what she decides too, and that it's the best thing for us as a team, lest Karlee and I have labored in vain to become as close as sisters to make our team the best it can be.