God's Plans Vs. My plans

I talked to a dear, new friend today and she reminded me, or perhaps confirmed for me something that the Lord has been showing me... our plans are not always Gods and although hindsight it wonderful, in the midst of it, I tend to find my faith lacking.
This has hit me in two ways this last week. Four years ago, before I started teaching theater, I had a summer to get ready for my new job.  There was a moment that summer, sometime in July where I completely panicked.  I thought, "what the heck am I doing?" I cannot teach this.  Do I love it? yes, but I cannot do this!  Chris even told me that if I was having doubts there was no shame in saying it was too much for me.  I decided to fast and pray for a week.  By the end of that week I had a confidence that could only come from the Lord, I knew that I was right where He wanted and needed me and I was going to be okay.
That fall when I directed my first play I knew I had found what my heart seemed to be created to do... I was completely in love with teaching theater.
When Chris and I lost our jobs at Santa Rosa Christian, I didn't understand what the Lord was doing but I trusted that if He had begun this passion for teaching theater in my heart, He would find a way to keep it going.  I assumed this meant finding another teaching position.  After trips to Colorado and Texas looking for jobs and researching theater programs all over I was extremely disappointed to stay in Chico and have no where to teach.
Last December when Makayla earned the roll of Peter in "Peter Pan" it was with a brand new theater company here in Chico, I watched through the production of Peter  Pan and observed the leaders Makayla was working with.  I came to realize that I couldn't have asked for a better group of people, or more wonderful experience for my kids in theater.
Now, almost a year later, doors have opened for me to be able to a part of this wonderful theater group.  They have ministered in amazing ways to all of the girls and I have found a way to continue this passion and love that God has put in my heart for being a part of theater with kids.
When we had to stay in Chico, I was very confused as to what the Lord was doing.  Why did He start this new thing in me and then leave me with no where to use it?  I spent a few months pretty upset with the Lord. I know now that this was all part of His plan for me and our family.
The second thing is that coming to Chico, I left some of the most amazing friends I have ever had in my life behind.  The first year was beyond lonely.  God created me to be a very relational person.  I love people, I thrive on community and being in deep relationships with people and here I was in the loneliest place I had ever been.  Why did God create me this way and then seem to not notice that I was desperately lonely?  No matter how hard I tried, I met no one my own age, no one who seemed to want to get to know me or who needed a friendship with someone new.
In our theater group I have met some of the sweetest, funnest gals.  They are all single and in their twenties and they have breathed life into me that they can't even begin to imagine.  I have been looking for a certain type of friendship and God has brought me what I truly needed.... even unbeknownst to me. They have brought so much laughter and joy into these last few weeks and they were totally not what I expected.

Sometimes our greatest plans are not even close to what God has for us and they are usually far more than we can even imagine!