Greetings from the Stevenson family! We would like to share exciting news with our AWA supporters!
God brings beauty through each change of season. We hope you are enjoying all the flowers that are popping onto the scene this spring. Even in our personal lives, our season is changing. While sitting and typing this letter to you, it seems like a normal day. My hair is still suffering from bed-head syndrome, the brightness of the overcast day flooding the bedroom, yet I consider all that lays before us and all we have overcome so far. Knowing we have your support and your prayers make the struggles (seriously, the struggles are real) possible to overcome.
The mail came. Two manila envelopes arrived, one for me, one for Kyle. It was from the AME who had examined us and would contain the information as to whether we had a medical certificate enabling us to fly. I was nervous and excited, so I opened mine before he arrived home from work. The envelope had some copies of records I needed to keep on hand and then a note. I read it but it only contained instructions on what to do for the results of the neurology appointment he had requested I make.
Sigh. Why does everything in my life have to be complicated? I complained to myself. Why can’t this just be simple? You see, my health background has not been the greatest, as I mentioned last month. I have had a variety of health issues against me over the years. While God is omnipotent and cleansed me of all these miserable past health problems—praise the LORD—the skeletons of these issues are still in my records…well we have found most of the records.
Some necessary records are presenting themselves as currently missing, so a hunt is in order along with a neurological evaluation to show the problems are indeed in the past so that I can be cleared and authorized to fly. This could take a long time because of the booking for such a specialist. It is a huge mountain, but I must take solace in the reminder of something God told me last year. He said, “Why are you panicking? Do I not hold all things in My hand to happen at the proper time?” Remember that. We are on God’s time, not ours. These little “waiting rooms” of despair He has placed and/or allowed that more dross and impurities from our character might be purged, and our faith in His infinite power and wisdom might increase. It is worth it.
I have to remember this when it seems impossible. God has already figured it out, and I just need to step forward in faith and glorify Him, by letting Him accomplish what I cannot by myself. It can be hard when you feel alone in your struggles, like you are being crushed and defeated even, but we know we have Someone who has gone through it all, just for us. This makes it all worthwhile. Also knowing a close friend, family member, or spouse is partnered with you to share your struggles, can make all the difference in the world.
When my husband returned home, he opened his big envelope. We waited in anticipation, and there, in his hands, he held his third-class medical certificate to be able to fly! I am so proud of him, and so in awe of how things are coming together. While I wish I could have held a certificate for me too, the walk God has planned for me will not end in vain, but be just as glorious as my husband’s walk too. It will end in victory, from the temporal to the eternal. Next, Kyle needs to do his operational color vision test to clear up the mild green colorblind issue. We will need prayers for this since it requires scheduling an appointment with the FAA, which can take some time.
Rain pours from the sky as I finish this, like a promise that those dark clouds will wash away all the impurities and problems in life, and bring forth a bounty of beautiful and fragrant flowers to brighten someone’s day, just like our mission. Thank you exponentially for your prayers as we continue to fight the good fight of faith, and keep looking ahead to the great things God has in store for us!
Your AWA Mission Family,
The Stevensons
