A God Dream

For the past few months I have been plagued by bad dreams. Dreams of kidnapping and death and being chased by people I didn't know or care to know for that matter. My mind was in a constant state of turmoil, and I could not figure out how to get them to stop.

So I began to pray.

I prayed that the Lord would turn my dreams from anything evil into dreams of Him and His glory. I would pray it in passing before I would go to sleep, and the dreams would not stop.

So last night, I got down to business. I prayed that the Lord would allow me to see Him in any dream I dreamed that night and that no bad image or thought would take over. And for the first time, I really and truly prayed it.

As always, the Lord came through.

I've become quite the context person, so I am going to give you the background of my dream.

I was with a group of people, and we were on an adventure. We saw lions and mountain lions (I have no idea where I was that you would see both together because it sure wasn't the zoo!) and were told to not run for they would chase us. They did snap a little, but they would never touch me. There is symbolism in this that I will come back to later. (I think the big cats might have to do with the fact that my wonderful friend Deanna is in South Africa right now, and we have talked about African Safaris on a few occasions.)

And as we were walking along, my hand got caught in a tree. The guide told me to wait and look at the bird that was in the tree. He said it was a hummingbird. As I was looking at this bird, I had the sudden impulse to begin to hum. So the bird and I began to hum a simple chorus..."Sing to the Lord, a song of praise. And let us declare, the glory of His name." First, it started as notes, and I harmonized with the bird. We were in an open portion of the area, and the group I was with began to circle around and join in the song of Love to our God. The bird continued to hum the notes with me, and a voice I have not heard come out of me ever burst forth in a song of complete adoration and awe of Savior, God. With complete passion, a chorus had erupted and the entire group was in song. Within moments, a light so bright that it blinded us all came down upon me and enveloped me. It was warm, and it was comforting, and it was my God. As we sang and we sang, such peace came over my heart. The chorus began to die down until it was just the bird and I again humming the simple chorus: "Sing to the Lord, a song of praise. And let us declare, the glory of His name." Walking away, I asked a member of the group what he thought the light was. He looked at me and smiled, and we both knew God had been in that place.

And then I woke up. Smiling from ear-to-ear. Talk about a God dream. He gave me a new song to sing (which I am currently writing down all the lyrics to), and a peace I have not felt in quite some time.

The lions and mountain lions were everything I have faced in the past few months and even while being home on break. My guide was Jesus. "Emily, do not run, for they will chase. But embrace what you face for I am with you always. I will be with you, and I will guide you." And right after the struggle came one of the smallest creatures...a bird. I never saw the guide's face. I only heard his voice as he guided and directed our group. Once I found the bird, the guide slipped away. I feel as though he was watching from a distance and smiling.

I am beyond joyful. It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it! I have a new song to sing, and one that definitely came from up above. The dreams that have plagued are no more for I have found hope. I will not run. I will embrace. I will sing my song of Love.

Don't doubt the small, for God works in mighty ways.

Love you all,
Em

Hope

It has finally hit...the half-way mark of Senior year! (Next semester I will hopefully have a better camera because that is what I asked for...so, this can turn into a blog with more pictures!)

Where in the world is the time going? I am sitting at home with one semester left of my college career.

One.

As you have probably figured out by now, I am extremely futuristic. But instead of viewing this as only having one semester, I am going to try my absolute hardest to view this as I get one more semester. I get one more semester with the people who have become a whole other family to me...with the mentors who have invested in me and helped me to grow.

And I am blessed beyond measure to have the amazing floor I do. B4N is a wonderful place to be. I have met some of the most incredible women on this floor, and God could not have put them in my life at a better time.

Next semester is also going to be full of a lot of opportunities...(stay tuned!). There is one in particular that I am pretty excited about but will share in due time. I get one more semester to glean and learn all I can from the people and environment that is Evangel. I could not be more thankful that I do.

Next week begins work. I am working at vet clinic for 6 days to help them during the Christmas rush. God also dropped that right in my lap. Thank You for the opportunity.

After that, I get to go to Memphis. I get to see my kids. :D :D :D :D :D

I am pretty darn excited in case you couldn't tell.

It will have been 5 months since I have seen any of them, and I cannot wait for the opportunity to hold them in my arms once more. I still see their faces. Of all the people in the world, God chose little old me. Me. And in a few weeks time, I think even more of my future after school will be made clear.

Until then, I fully intend on enjoying every last minute of the present. I will have many a bonding experience in the months to come. This break has already been one full of events! My wonderful friends, Tom and Tori, paid for me to go see the Trans Siberian Orchestra concert. SWEET!!!! And, I got to see the latest Chronicles of Narnia movie yesterday.

It's the little things.

T-minus 8 days til Christmas.
T-minus 2 weeks and 1 day until Memphis.

I'm continuing to hold on for the ride of my life. :)

Love you guys,
Em