How Did I Get Here?

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am terrible at directions- both at giving them and receiving them!  There have been times, when hopelessly lost, I have pulled over and thought, "Where the heck am I?" (Although to be completely honest, I wasn't saying "heck"- yes, I admit I may let a few bad words slip once in awhile under extreme duress).
Likewise, there have been times in my life when I ask myself, "How did I get here?" As an missionary kid raised in the inner city, I had no intentions of following in my parents' footsteps. I had my eyes set on a much more glamorous career: journalist. I would start in print journalism and work my up to television journalism, eventually becoming the next Barbara Walters. Yes, I was a little delusional. But funny thing, God had completely different plans for me. When bemoaning missionary life as a kid and declaring that I would never become a missionary, my mom would smile and say, "Just wait until you meet a handsome missionary one day and he changes your mind!" Well, most of you know the story. I, indeed, did meet a handsome missionary who I married and we now live and work in the inner-city of Wichita with our two-year old son, Jackson.
In retrospect, I know exactly how I got here. The Lord was preparing me form an early age for a life of ministry. Being a part of my parents' ministry allowed me to learn about other cultures and people from different backgrounds. I enjoyed making friends from different ethnic groups. I also developed a heart for hurting people.  No matter what I did, I couldn't escape this calling. Even in college when I was working, taking a full load, and serving on student government, I still made time to volunteer with an inner-city youth group. It was in my blood.
Another thing I never thought I would do is study a foreign language while living in the foreign country! Daren and I had the opportunity to learn Spanish in Costa Rica for three months. Talk about a learning experience! But even during the hard times when I'd ask myself, "How did I get here?" The Lord would remind me that he had been preparing me for this. My time in LA as a kid introduced me to the Latino culture and gave me a love for the people and culture which helped make the adjustment easier.
I imagine that ten years from now, I will be asking the same question. But I take comfort in knowing that the Lord is preparing for whatever the future holds.