As I sit here and sip on some yummy tea, I can’t help but be filled with excitement and expectancy for this next year! We leave for Launch, another 5 day training, in about a week. Holy cow!!!!
I can’t believe its actually here. I submitted my application for the World Race at the end of March and these past 4 months have flown by. They have been the sweetest 4 months, yet really challenging. I have seen the Lord provide miraculously with fundraising and bringing amazing community into my life. I’ve also seen the Lord provide in the smallest of ways, which has grown my love for Him. Yall, he truly does care about the desires of your heart, no matter how big or how ”small.” God has confirmed OVER and OVER the words He has spoken to me about this trip and brought me back to the same scriptures over and over. “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the Good News!” Isaiah 52:7 He brought me to this scripture originally praying about the World Race and is the very one that my pastor prayed over me this past Sunday and the scripture my friend brought up sharing a word of encouragement over me. God is so faithful!!!
In the midst of this amazing season of seeing the Lord come through so mightily, the enemy has taken notice. How many of you know that when God is working, the enemy is right behind to try to steal that fruit?!
For example:
- I got my first speeding ticket in 6 years recently. Yes, totally my fault but the enemy has so used it to bring fear and worry financially.
- The other day, I walk out to my car and notice my passenger side window is completely shattered. So drove around for 3 days without a window. It is fixed now but I am still waiting for the lawn company to pay for it. (If they don’t it comes out of my pocket)
- All of this happening while planning on selling my car, now being on a time crunch.
The enemy has tried to make me believe doubt my identity, has tried to do whatever he can to take me out, to hinder me, or to distract me. But I am not taking the bait! God has brought me this far, He won’t let me down now.
”Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.” 1 John 4:4
”The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds..” 2 Corinthians 10:4
“The weapon may be formed but it won’t prosper. When the darkness falls, it won’t prevail. Cause the God I serve knows only how to triumph. My God will never fail.” See a Victory by Elevation Worship!
Saying YES to Jesus comes at a cost. It cost you laying down your life, crucifying your flesh, and loving your enemies. Saying YES to Jesus means engaging in a battle with the enemy for the rest of our lives on this earth. Saying YES to Jesus can be uncomfortable. It can mean facing persecution and suffering. It can cost you your very closest people.
But saying YES to Jesus also means eternal life with Him, your Father, who uniquely created you because He loves you. Saying YES means getting a glimpse of heaven on earth through experiencing unity in the Spirit with community. Saying YES means communion moment by moment with our Abba and experiencing His ever present love no matter what you do or don’t do.
The kingdom is upside down (or right side up?) To live, we must lose our life. “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” Matthew 16:25
I don’t know about you, but I want to live wrecked for the ordinary. I don’t want to live a comfortable life on this earth, just living for myself. I’ve done that for too long. I am choosing to live uncomfortable, wrecked for the ordinary BECAUSE I want every one I know to experience Jesus and have a relationship with Him. Jesus has shepherded me and protected me my whole life and I have experienced a love like no other. I’ve searched the world for a love that could never satisfy, but Jesus is the well that never runs dry. Only He can satisfy. No one and nothing on this earth can truly satisfy our souls, because that place is meant for God alone. That is part of His amazing design! Phew, God is good!
With me leaving in a week, I wanted to share some specific ways to be praying:
- That I would be able to be fully present and not be caught up in being overwhelmed or stressed out!
- Comfort of the Holy Spirit and great grace as I leave my people. That has been the biggest concern and fear is not actually being able to see my closest people for a year, but I know God will help me.
- That the Lord would help me to be honest with myself with my emotions and honest with Him.
And since you’ve read this far………. Drum roll, please!!!
Here’s our Host placements for this month!
Iglesias Monte de Sion del Evangelio Cuadrangular in Nicoya, Costa Rica!
(Mount Zion Church of the Foursquare Gospel)
We will be painting roofs, classrooms, local evangelism, preaching, worship, and VBS for the kids. I am sooooo super excited for this next month and all God has in store. Thank you so much for praying and for your support!!! ??
