Budapest & Psalm 138:8

New Year's Resolutions have never really worked for me.  I never commit to keeping them and they fade away over time.  So in 2013, I started choosing a word of the year and a verse of the year.  I like having something to keep in mind, something to strive for and remember throughout the year.

On New Year's Day of this year, our family gathered around for brunch and shared New Year's resolutions and words.  I told them I was still thinking about mine.  My brother-in-law said to me "Pretty sure your word of the year is Budapest." I laughed but as it turns out, I think he was right from the start!  I never thought my word would be a place.  God has turned my life upside down by calling me to serve as a missionary teacher in Budapest, Hungary!

It has taken me until March to determine my verse of the year!  Interestingly, so far, all of my yearly verses have been from the book of Psalms.  It is definitely one of my most-read books of the Bible, and one of my very favorites.  I remember learning as a child that Psalms were really songs and that made so much sense to me. Songs and poems are my love language!  Maybe I should just start calling it Psalm of the year?

When I found this verse this past week, I knew it was the one I would memorize and keep with me all throughout the rest of 2016. All of Psalm 138 is wonderful but this verse stood out.

The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; 
your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. 
Psalm 138:8 

I am preparing to get on a plane in a 2 days, to a country I have never visited, to prepare for a job in a school I've never seen.  I am going because I feel called by God to do so. Simple as that!  It is hard to explain this but know it is from God.  My prayer is that God confirms this calling when I visit Budapest next week! Here is what I know from this verse: God will fulfill His purpose for me and that His love goes with me.  I pray that having this verse written on my heart will sustain me and keep me following God's lead, step by step!
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Word of the year:
2013 - Gratitude
2014 - Joy
2015 - Mercy
2016 - Budapest


(Written inside my Bible)