So what have I learned this week? So much. My brain and heart are constantly being filled with new ideas and information that all help me grow deeper in my faith with God. It’s amazing. So amazing in fact that I wish each of you could go on a DTS to experience and learn what I am experiencing and learning.

This past Sunday, a couple of us made it to church in the morning. It was in German, but they kindly translated it all for us. It was incredible to see firsthand how two languages can unite together in order to praise one God. Luke and Magdelena, a couple who is part of the staffing team for my DTS, also bring church to us on Sunday afternoons, where we watch it with a projector online. We started a series called “Better” last week, and the second sermon was just as solid as the first. I have been challenged through those sermons, and in the daily lectures, in my art, in my prayers, in my friendships. The challenges keep coming, and while it is exhausting it is so beneficial for me to be pushed to be better. And to be better with and for God is my ultimate goal.

Now, on to a different note. I want to tell you a story. It is about a lost pen. The other day, I lost my pen. No big deal, right? Except that this pen was my favourite of all my pens and I do all my best art with it. It was outside talking with God when I realized it fell out of my pocket and I wanted to go back inside and look for it. But God said “No, you are spending time with me.” I argued with God, because I didn’t want to end up not being able to find my best pen. He eventually won the argument and I stayed outside and spent time with him. This was a good time for him and I, so I am glad I did stay. On the way back I started to look for my pen on the ground, thinking it might have fallen out of my pocket along the way. But then I heard God say that I didn’t need to look for it, because it was in the bathroom inside the castle where I must have dropped it. I kept looking outside anyways though, just in case. God urged me to stop, to trust him that he knew where my pen was. Long story short, I looked inside the bathroom later on and wasn’t there. I was really disappointed. I needed that pen, and I thought that God was wrong in telling me to trust him to know where my pen was. Because the pen wasn’t even there, so how could I trust him? I went back outside to look for it, yet before I really started looking, I stopped in my tracks and had this thought that it was something I should sacrifice, or give up. I should just trust God that he would provide me with my pen again, when I truly needed it. Besides, it was only a pen anyways. Turning around was a lot harder than it should have been, because it really only was just a pen. So I did not continue with my search. While I am so sad without my pen, and it takes a large amount of strength to not go out and look for it, I know I need to trust that his will for me without my pen will be what is best for me. I am so disappointed that it wasn’t actually to be found in the bathroom, but God must be teaching me a lesson of obedience and trust through this. The end.

Great story, eh? This actually did happen, and while you are probably thinking that I am juvenile for struggling so much over a simple pen, but that pen really was important to me. And this lesson can be applied into many areas of my life. I think God is just trying to teach me this lesson in a smaller way right now, so that my strength and ability to trust and obey him with grow. Maybe someday my pen will be returned to me, or maybe I will get a pen that will better suit me, but that is all in God’s timing. I hope I will be able to use that pen again, but I still treasure the times I was able to hold it in my hand and use it.

So even in the little things I am learning much, and it has been going well. I am feeling quite exhausted in every way, but I know that this is all going to be worth it. I will keep running the race and continue to strive for the end. I miss home a lot; it is the hardest on Sundays. But I am thankful that I have a home that I am able to miss. I am also sorry that I have not posted much in the past week. I have been very busy and the internet is unbearably slow. If you have any questions about what I am up to or what I am learning in a more specific way, email me at [finamurphy18@gmail.com] and I will do my best to reply and might even post up some answers on this blog (if I find the time that is!) 

I am hoping that Canada is still as awesome as ever and that all are you are well. May God continue to bless you! I will be in touch. 

Love always, 

Fina