real talk

hi friends,

I am overwhelmed and overflowing with all of the support and love from you all as God leads me on this journey. thank you, thank you for being here and loving me so well.

I have gone back and forth about what I want this blog to be about and what I would share specifically. I know I don’t want this to be making myself look like someone who doesn’t struggle and is on this glamorous vacation in Australia.

I want to be real about my struggles and what God is teaching me here.

I am going to be honest about everything and it might be a little much at times, and for that I ask for forgiveness. I am a mess, but over time I have learned that it’s okay to not be okay and hope that this would ultimately point back to Jesus and the work He is doing to and through me.

I also want to encourage you all – foreign missions and YWAM in Australia are incredible opportunities to grow and serve people in other nations, but God has also called each one of you to be where you are right now for a specific purpose. it doesn’t take a long flight across the ocean for you to be able to share the Gospel with someone. love your neighbors or co-workers or even your family members. what incredible ministry opportunities we have in our day-to-day lives. praying that encourages some of you!

anyway, leading up to this departure, it’s been hard. I love my people, each one of you, and it’s hard not to have all of my comfort people close to me for these next few months. I know that I am going to be missing out on time with you all while I’m gone…FOMO (fear of missing out) is real.

but God has called me here on purpose and I am so excited to learn more about the qualities and nature of our God.

this process has taught me that I need to not rely so much on worldly things and people, but fully rely on my God and my Savior to do what He has done and will do throughout this time.

for example, the day before I left, I dropped my phone, the most WORLDLY item that I am so connected to and would really like to have to communicate with my peeps while I’m gone…and it broke!!! the LED part of my screen was pink and purple stripes and slowly dwindling so I couldn’t read anything. I went to the Verizon store and had to get a new phone…thanks mom and dad… but wow!

good timing, right? I really feel like God did it just to show me and help me release and surrender the control that I try to have through all I do.

so here I am. make me whatever you want me to be, God. I’m all Yours and so thankful to be. 

the scripture that I have really been praying over in preparation for this time is so sweet to my heart.

“there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:         a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build up, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. What do workers gain from their toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. He has made everything beautiful in it’s time.“

–ecclesiastes  3:1-11

I could probably go on for the rest of the chapter, but I’ll let y’all do it for yourself…read it people, it’s so good:)

anyway, in this season of life, I fully know that God is refining me and sculpting me into who I can best be to serve & glorify Him ultimately.

it is really a delight to finally be content in who I am and what He is doing with this season. I truly, truly believe that I am here for a specific reason for a purpose and I am so thankful.

please pray that I am present and content here in Australia, not making plans for what’s after or being sad because I am missing out on things in back home.

you guys are my best people and I am so blessed by your love and encouragement and so humbled that you’re following this journey and just amazed at the fact that you love me so well. THANK YOU.

so, here I am. about to board another flight and about to completely miss July 13th, which blows my mind, but I am abundantly thankful as I head into this adventure.

I hope these last few minutes have brought you closer to our God and that these words have been an encouragement to each of you. thanks again for being here!

“you go where you’re sent

& you stay where you’re put 

& you give what you’ve got “

xoxo & all my love,

am

ps – I’m a big music girl, so I may occasionally post links to songs that are my heart and prayer at the moment:)

Nothing Is Holding Me Back – Bryan & Katie Torwalt