It's a Good Morning!

The Bible

Psalm 139:3
"YOU see me when I travel and when I rest at home. YOU know everything I do."

Psalm 139: 9-10
"If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there YOUR hand will guide me, and YOUR strength will support me."

GOD is faithful. It is such a comfort and encouragement to read verses like these while I am far from home. I don't just know that HE is near me from reading the Bible, though. Through taking care of me, providing for me, blessing me with an abundance of friends and people who love me here, HE continually shows me day by day that HE is right by my side every step of the way. GOD is awesome, guys! I hope these verses are an encouragement to you too. No matter where you are or what you are going through, GOD is right there by your side. Here's another one:

Lamentations 3:23
"Great is HIS faithfulness; HIS mercies begin afresh every morning."

Now, the fact that this verse comes up in a book of the Bible called Lamentations is amazing to me. The whole book of Lamentations is about the Israelites lamenting that they are being punished, and yet a whole section of chapter 3 is all about how they know that GOD is still faithful too them. GOD's promises never fail, and we know that HE is faithful to us too, in every situation whether joyful or grief-filled. I love that part of the verse where it says that HIS mercies are new each morning. Isn't that great to know that when you wake up in the morning, HE is right there to get you started on a fresh new day? In the Bible study I am doing from Beth Moore, she made a point a few weeks ago that stuck with me: The Israelites were given manna (bread from heaven) each morning, but they had to go out and gather it right away or it would disappear when the sun rose. In this same way, we are given mercy from GOD each morning, but we must go out and gather it up. We must take hold of the mercy HE gives us instead of trying to make it on our own. I have to remind myself this, and I even wrote in my Bible next to Lamentations 3:23: I must gather what GOD provides; it is partially my responsibility. Don't lay in self-pity! Gather HIS mercy!

If you are waking up right now to start your new day, this is for you! GOD bless your new, mercy-filled day :)

A Race Between 2 Continents

Today I did something so cool that I never even thought of putting it on my bucket list! Pelin and I woke up at 6:15am today in Asia (the Asian side of Istanbul that is). We hopped on a bus, then a dolmuş (in which I spent the first bit kneeling in the floor because it was so packed) and finally made it to the starting line of the 10k race in the Istanbul Marathon. This is no ordinary race; it is the only race in the world that crosses between 2 continents! What an experience! We started in Asia, ran across the Bosphorus Bridge (this is the only chance people have of crossing the bridge by foot for the entire year) and ran to Europe. So glad I was able to have this great, unique experience with such a great friend. I actually felt like a real Istanbullu today as I heard my name called out many times as I ran alongside the friends I have made over the past few months. It is really awesome to be able to spend enough time in a city that you start feeling like you belong. People are always asking me if I love Istanbul. I do really like the city, but what makes me love Istanbul is the people that I have met and built friendships with here. I am so thankful that God has led me to meet so many great people! Here are a few pics from the race. More on Instagram - @faithful_nomad    :)

Getting ready to cross the bridge!

İ am not sure which İ appreciated getting more, the banana or the medal...I mean, bananas are just so good!

We did it! Mission accomplished!

Comment below if you have suggestions for what races I should sign up for in the States come spring! Am looking forward to prioritizing running from now on and getting in on this fun racing action more often. 2014 goals will include setting some PRs :)

Starting New Things

I'm in the middle of finishing a lab report that is taking me SOOO long to finish, but I think I will take a few moments to give you an update on the new things I have started doing in Turkey. Two weeks ago, I was blessed to find out from a friend about a Beth Moore Bible study going on in her home. I went to the study, and I seriously almost started tearing up whenever they prayed in English...I hadn't prayed with someone else in my language in over 6 weeks (my church is in Turkish). It's an understatement to say that this Bible study has been an amazing gift from God. The study, A Women's Heart, is about the tabernacle and how God wants to meet with us. By reading how He sought out a relationship with the Israelites, how He brought them out of Egypt after 400 years of slavery, how He used Moses's life, I have had so many things hit home with my own personal life. I am amazed that the Creator of the Universe wants to meet with each of us, His creation, that He wants to speak with us, that He wants to show us His glory. It is awesome! Through the women leading the Bible study, I have also made more friends with Christians in my area, and it is really great to get to know them and hang out.

I also found out from another friend that there are beginner Turkish folk dance classes at our school that meet for 6 hours of practice a week. It is so much fun! We are all pinky friends now (most dances involve standing in lines or circles with your pinkies linked with the people on either side of you). I have made even more friends, and Turkish folk dances are really cool. My favorite part of practice is at the end when the whole group (30-40 students + 3 teachers) dances a fast routine together and we are all bouncing, pinkies linked, shoes clicking on the wooden floor and smiles all around. Dancing is so good for my soul :) The classes are mostly in Turkish, so I am getting really good at counting and knowing my lefts and rights in Turkish, as well as picking up some other words and phrases from the other Turkish students.

Well, got to get back to that lab report. I've got Imagine Dragons playing, and I am going to try and finish this report before the album repeats itself. Have a great weekend, everyone!