A Bitter-Sweet Announcement.

Yesterday I received not 1, not 2, not 3 but 4 letters from Nick :) I was so happy, my dad brought them to work for me when they came, it was so nice :) Nick has been so successful in Illinois. The Lord has been able to use him so much to reach many of his peers. He got a 100% on his first test. One of the main guys in charge came up to him and said, "I don't shake recruits hands but I am going to shake yours." He is doing so well and I am so proud of him.

So...... as many of you know, Nick has been very sick. He has not felt well for most of his time there, he has been gone for a month now and only had about 4 more weeks to go. He was expected to graduate on January 15, as I mentioned before. Yesterday he called his dad and told him, he is being sent home. He has two kidney stones, one in each kidney, they are pretty large so they have to send him home. This is so confusing because the Lord has really used this month to glorify Himself and has taught both Nick and myself so much through all of this. Although this is not the ideal outcome for now, we are both trusting the Lord. He is in control, He has been the whole time, this is a reminder of that. I have been reminded to be still and know He is God. He has a plan, whatever it is we are excited to see. This all is bitter-sweet. I am bummed he will have to come home, but SO excited to see him. He can always go back but will have to wait a year and start all over. But we are trusting the Lord will show us what He wants and guide us in His will. Whatever the Lord wants is what we want. We know it was His will to be there during this time and I am continuing to pray God uses Him while he is there and on His travels back home. I am also praying for His friend Carter, who is still in boot-camp and is now the only strong believer there. For some reason God wants Nick to come back home for a while, we don't know, it is all confusing but I know God has a plan, and is still in control. He is our guide and we will allow him to direct our steps.

He should be home in about 2 weeks. A few days before, on, or a few days after Christmas. Please pray he is home for Christmas :D that would be so nice :)

Please pray for guidance, wisdom, and clear direction from the Lord for both Nick and myself, thanks :)