Ponder anew...

So, after almost 2 years of thinking about it...I am finally going to do it...that is, go away for a semester abroad in Israel...otherwise known as IBEX. God has been extremely faithful in every aspect of planning for this from just being able to get on the list to providing the finances to make it possible. I was concerned about mainly one thing as I thought about this adventure: leaving my job. I love what I do, where I work, the people I work with. The Lord has also prospered my work and given me the opportunity to advance to FTO (Field Training Officer) and Crew Chief (an elaborate name for basically being the station mom, you know, make sure everyone does thier chores and makes sure there are adequate supplies available). Since this is the line of work I would like to pursue the most, it seemed a little odd to leave a job I love, and leadership positions for such a temporary adventure...but I knew it would be the best way to finish college...and the best stewardship of the opportunity...so I continued to pursue going and praying about how to best inform my employer. Last week all the details came into place so it came time to inform my company of the fact that I would be leaving for 3 months. I was prepared for the worst...having to resign my position altogether, being told to turn in my badge and uniform before leaving for overseas, and no way of knowing whether or not I would be able to return to the company in May. I was going to ask them for a Leave of Absence (or LOA), but didn't really expect to get one. Yesterday, I was approached by one of the management personell and asked why I didn't pursue the opportunity to advance to Associate Supervisor. I explained to him my plans to study abroad, and didn't want to put the company out by advancing...retreating so to speak. He said he understood and said they appreciated that. I asked him if he thought a leave of absence would be possible, to which he replied "absolutely". This was all well and good, but he is not the Human Resources Manager...so he does not have the final say as to whether or not I am granted a LOA...but it was a step in an encouraging direction. Today I went in to talk to my immediate supervisor: the Risk and Saftey Manager/Personnel Development Manager (Lucas) about some projects I was working on for him. He discussed with me an up and coming Sr. FTO position...and asked if I was interested in applying. I told him I was interested, but that I was planning on finishing up college by studying abroad, to which he responded with disappointment and understanding. I told him that I was planning on talking to the Human Resources guy (Mike) about getting a LOA. Lucas encouraged me to do that, then said, "here, I'll walk over there with you right now and we will talk to him." So, Lucas and I walked across the hall to Mike's office, where Lucas said..."Mike, we are going to give Liz a leave of absence." No asking, no explaining to do on my part...my supervisor just walked into Human Resources and informed them of what they were going to do! (This is a small company, we are all friends, so that is cool...i was just shocked and blessed by it!) So, now I have my LOA, I can leave the company for the semester and not have to resign (not so good for the resume if it can be avoided you know!)... I was so relieved and thankful to the Lord for His provision...somewhat bummed at the thought of having to step down out of my Crew Chief position, as I didn't imagine they would hold that spot open for 3 months just for me...but knew they would still have me work as an FTO, which is great...but the story doesn't end there...moments later I heard Mike telling Lucas that they would put a temporary Crew Chief in my station...in order to hold the position for me. I was so amazed...there was no way I would have ever asked them to do that, even though I thought it would be nice if they could...but here they go, arrainging it...ensuring that not only will I be able to return to the same company, but the same city, same station, same position! The icing on the cake came when Mike told me my health benefits would be immedietly reinstated upon my return...(no waiting another 3 months like when you are first hired.) I walked into those offices not knowing how I would come out...would they be upset? would I be permitted a leave of absence? and walked out of the station with everthing I walked in with...and more...an overwhelming thankfulness for the provision and graciousness of God...who not only provides me with salvation...a relationship with Him, but who provides me with everything I need...and sometimes what I desire...as I saw today. I still cannot believe how the Lord has worked in this whole entire situation...but seeing how He works all the details out does a number of things:
1. Builds my faith and trust in Him.
2. Reminds me of what I really deserve and how all this is above and beyond what I could ask or think.
3. Gives me a sense of rest, knowing that God is in control, and taking this opportunity is the best decision.
4. Grows a profound thankfulness in my heart for His goodness (that doesn't even seem to be the right word)

On my way home I listened to a hymn that seemed to verbalize what my heart was saying:

PRAISE TO THE LORD

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear, now to His temple draw near;
Praise Him in glad adoration.

Praise to the Lord, Who over all things so wondrously reigneth,
Shelters thee under His wings, yea, so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen how thy desires ever have been
Granted in what He ordaineth?

Praise to the Lord, Who hath fearfully, wondrously, made thee;
Health hath vouchsafed and, when heedlessly falling, hath stayed thee.
What need or grief ever hath failed of relief?
Wings of His mercy did shade thee.

Praise to the Lord, Who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;
Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
If with His love He befriend thee.

Praise to the Lord, Who, when tempests their warfare are waging,
Who, when the elements madly around thee are raging,
Biddeth them cease, turneth their fury to peace,
Whirlwinds and waters assuaging.

Praise to the Lord, Who, when darkness of sin is abounding,
Who, when the godless do triumph, all virtue confounding,
Sheddeth His light, chaseth the horrors of night,
Saints with His mercy surrounding.

Praise to the Lord, O let all that is in me adore Him!
All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before Him.
Let the Amen sound from His people again,
Gladly for aye we adore Him.