So its been a while... and a ton has gone on in the viva de camel since my last post. Let me start of praising and just saying that life is great and that God is too good to me and never seises to amaze me. My Christmas was priceless and I received the best gift of all in getting to see most of my family, including family all the way from Egypt (yes suny, I hugged them extra hard for you). Life during break is challenging as usual, The fuss of getting things done and working odd jobs and traveling between home and college park can take a toll on my body physically. However, amidst all the craziness God has been faithfully chasing after me and not letting me stray too far. He knows when I am most vulnerable, and it seems it is at those times he reminds me most of the Father from the parable of the prodigal son. Waiting for me to come home, to remember that there is no better offer than the one He is freely giving. I often get distracted by the "finer" things in life, money, image, engineering, even friendships... I tend to lose sight of the best thing I have. I havent been able to listen to any other song than "Take my Love" by shane and shane... I strongly suggest you look up those lyrics, even get the song.... illegally if you have to!!! It has a line that says.... "I think I read I can not love the world and you, Take my Love, plant it deep where life is found in you... Plant it in the heart of thee, Im tired of trying to believe, Ive worn out all my strategies... There is NOTHING I can do ohh Lord... Take my love"... that song couldnt sing any straighter to my heart... As graduation approaches and talk of jobs/money/changing relationships/and future get louder and more prevelant my faith is challenged and often questioned. I have to battle extra hard to not compromise and stick to the same Godly principles that have blessed me so much to this point. I dont want to put up a front like it has not been hard so I can say outright that it has been very difficult, however, I cannot say that without talking about the amazing ways God has ministered to me through the last couple weeks. Whether through my mom, my cousins, my family from Egypt, my brother, or my friends in CP, I have been unbelievably encouraged to continue seeking God and trusting in His amazing provision, and His sovereign, loving nature. Trading all that I have, for all that is better!!!
Here is a list of "Memory Stones" (youll understand if you keep reading) I can set up to testify to Gods goodness through this trial/time of growth...
1. Andy getting into Berklee and moving to Boston... being where God is gonna do extreme work! Taking him to Boston and helping him unpack was tremendously emotional and I miss him already... I have gotten so close to that boy and to not have him here in MD is tough... but the redeeming thought is that he is finally walking the road God has blessed and that there is a promise of amazing things on this road!... I love you so much Andy, and am so proud of the adversity you have overcome and the faith that you exude. Your character is beautiful brother... You are a true man
2. Ramy (bro) displaying love through giving... Bought my mom a 2005 Scion xB for Christmas which was a huge blessing for the entire family to see and an amazing witness to the work that God is doing in my brothers life.
3. Reading in Joshua and seeing his faithfulness to give God the credit through always setting up "Memory Stones", which were large collections of stacked stones that were left at the scene of Gods working in order to testify to his Faithfull hand in winning battle after battle. Amazing way to remember Gods provision and trust in His future provision.
4. Seeing my family, Lillian and Tarek and there kids. Lara and David... David bought me a replica motorcycle of my bike for Christmas and it meant so much to me cause he supported one of my passions.
5. Praying with my mom about so many things and having her share areas of her life that I never knew of or would have never guessed. I love that woman and her example of Christs love and her prayers have made me the man I am today.
6. Spending Christmas eve morrning with my dad and remembering where God has brought that relationship from the cradle till now.
7. Recieving a letter from our SG compassion child and really being blessed by his gratitude to God even in his poverty. We love you Yandri!
8. One of the biggest blessings was the pinaccle of what I would call my "journey to the cross". For years now I have been begging God to have the cross mean something to me personally, to feel the pain Jesus felt upon it, and to understand the love that would drive a man to carry my burdens and sin in a physical medium like that beautifully horrific cross. This journey has without a doubt reached its pinnacle (up till now... hoping it will continue to rise) when my cousin from Egypt had a professional painter paint me a vision that I have had in my head for years... I wish you all could see the beauty of this painting and the accuracy to which I had pictured in my head. It is stunning... and I cant thank God enough for it!
I love you all... I gotta roll and go paint some stuff with Vargy... I love you guys and could use your continued prayers.... Praise Him... for my sake alone... Praise Him!!!
Blessed = Camelboy
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