When Plans Change
Dear Friends,
I have been anxious to write to you for a long time now. Much has changed since the last time I wrote, and I pray that you and your families are healthy and proceeding safely and wisely. It is no secret that much of the world is in chaos right now. Growing up, I never imagined that border closings in far off places would have an impact on those in my community. If it were helpful, I could write page after page about the way everything changes. Our best decision made today could easily look like the wrong decision tomorrow. But we can only do the best we can with what we have.
As I sit here writing to you, a few steps away, a group of teachers is busily working to adjust their curriculum to an online learning format. As of Wednesday, all classes at Black Forest Academy will be online, and many of our boarding students will have returned home to their families across the world. So dear friends, as you seek to make decisions that are best for your families and communities, may I ask you to pray for the families of our students here as well? This weekend, many, MANY of our students are getting on planes and trains and other forms of transportation, and returning home. Please pray for smooth crossings over borders, through passport control check points, safety in the air, for and from other passengers, and most of all, for freedom from fear. Pray with me that the time that these families share will be sweet.
Over the last several weeks, we have watched so many of our plans get canceled. BFA is in the habit of sending out numerous Service Project Trips to various parts of the world - this year, those have been canceled. Meetings, conferences, trips, so many things have been called off. I can't help but wonder, if God is removing these things from our schedules, what is He replacing them with? If He is taking things out of our hands (more than normal!), then what is He asking is to take on? Or is He asking us to simply offer our open hands to Him? There are many things to grieve, but there is hope as well. Our Savior, the God Who loves us with an everlasting love, is asking us to trust Him.
You can imagine how busy the Residence Life Office has been recently. He is calling each of us to be faithful. Oh friends, in a time of uncertainty, may we trust the One who is certain! And may we be faithful!
My heart breaks for the pain, grief and loss felt by others at this time. Let us be aware of the needs around us, and may we follow in faith the One Who does all things well.
I also want to say that if anyone reading this finds themselves in a place of loneliness, fear, anxiety, and needing help at this time, please reach out! I would love to hear from you: mhopus1@gmail.com, or help connect you with someone from a local church. Our Savior promises never to leave or forsake us - you are not alone!
Thank you, as ever, for partnering with me. God is at work, and I am eager to see what He is doing.
Blessings,
Lauren
I have been anxious to write to you for a long time now. Much has changed since the last time I wrote, and I pray that you and your families are healthy and proceeding safely and wisely. It is no secret that much of the world is in chaos right now. Growing up, I never imagined that border closings in far off places would have an impact on those in my community. If it were helpful, I could write page after page about the way everything changes. Our best decision made today could easily look like the wrong decision tomorrow. But we can only do the best we can with what we have.
As I sit here writing to you, a few steps away, a group of teachers is busily working to adjust their curriculum to an online learning format. As of Wednesday, all classes at Black Forest Academy will be online, and many of our boarding students will have returned home to their families across the world. So dear friends, as you seek to make decisions that are best for your families and communities, may I ask you to pray for the families of our students here as well? This weekend, many, MANY of our students are getting on planes and trains and other forms of transportation, and returning home. Please pray for smooth crossings over borders, through passport control check points, safety in the air, for and from other passengers, and most of all, for freedom from fear. Pray with me that the time that these families share will be sweet.
Over the last several weeks, we have watched so many of our plans get canceled. BFA is in the habit of sending out numerous Service Project Trips to various parts of the world - this year, those have been canceled. Meetings, conferences, trips, so many things have been called off. I can't help but wonder, if God is removing these things from our schedules, what is He replacing them with? If He is taking things out of our hands (more than normal!), then what is He asking is to take on? Or is He asking us to simply offer our open hands to Him? There are many things to grieve, but there is hope as well. Our Savior, the God Who loves us with an everlasting love, is asking us to trust Him.
You can imagine how busy the Residence Life Office has been recently. He is calling each of us to be faithful. Oh friends, in a time of uncertainty, may we trust the One who is certain! And may we be faithful!
My heart breaks for the pain, grief and loss felt by others at this time. Let us be aware of the needs around us, and may we follow in faith the One Who does all things well.
I also want to say that if anyone reading this finds themselves in a place of loneliness, fear, anxiety, and needing help at this time, please reach out! I would love to hear from you: mhopus1@gmail.com, or help connect you with someone from a local church. Our Savior promises never to leave or forsake us - you are not alone!
Thank you, as ever, for partnering with me. God is at work, and I am eager to see what He is doing.
Blessings,
Lauren
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