“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…”
(Ephesians 3:20 NIV)

This isn’t the first time I’ve blogged about this verse. The last time was over two years ago on my previous blog.  As I reread that old blog today, I was reminded that this whole adventure, this driving cross-country to IHOP KC to spend six months in his presence, was barely the whisper of a dream back in February 2010. And now it’s happening. And God orchestrated the whole thing in ways I never could have made happen on my own.

I have been absolutely blown away by the generosity of friends, and even some people I barely know, to help make this happen. I decided I wasn’t going to ask for financial support, and I haven’t, but every now and then God moves someone’s heart to bless me. A $20 slipped in my hand at church by someone I occasionally babysit for. A $20 left on my coffee shop counter by a church leader whom I had been talking about IHOP with. The complete payment of all my car repair expenses by the kind Christian dealer who sold it to me.

And there have been others, but none more surprising than the card I got in the mail this week from the parents of a good friend whom I had only met once. I knew they wanted to support me, so I told them that my tuition was all paid, but if they really wanted to I would certainly be able to use a Target gift card or something. Instead, they mailed me a check for more money than any one person has ever given me in my life.

I was completely floored, and even now I can hardly believe it. God has used so many people, some of them complete strangers, to encourage and support me in completely unexpected ways. And I am so, so thankful for his kindness working through the kindness of others.