Watch and Learn.

Well there’s not much to say on here besides the fact that the year is coming to an end. Thing‘s have been getting a little odd around here lately. I still love my team but I know once the year is over things will be different. I am slowly preparing myself for when I go home. I know I have friends who don’t even believe in God and it’ll be a little different to hang out with them. I won’t stop hanging out with someone just because they have different beliefs then me. How would I show God’s love to them if I walked away from them? In my eyes that’s just not very Christ like or it’d be kicking in the stereotypes that Christians are “too good”. I still love my friends just as much if not more. I just know I will need to prepare myself for some harsh joking. Someone amazing (cough *Caroline* cough) told me I need to pray that God prepares their hearts for when I’m home. So I am doing that. Things at home will be crazy yet exciting for me. I miss being with my friend and going out every night. I miss going to the gym and playing with dogs. I miss the beach and my house. I miss my family and my nephew! I’m just so filled with anticipation that I can’t explain it enough. I have roughly around 6 more weeks left. Ashley, Becca and Seth are leaving in 3 weeks. I will honestly be very sad to say bye to them knowing that I won’t see them for so long. Em and I will be left to hold down the fort for 3 weeks. I am leaving after the churches youth camp. Which is going to be a whole new experience for me! I’ve gone to church camp only two times and now I’m going as a leader. This will be something to look forward to. During D-Now I connected to the high school girls SOOO well I can’t imagine what it will be like spending a week with them.

This year has been one for the books in my world. I have never had this type of experience ANYWHERE. I would have never of grown this much if I would had stayed home instead of calling Vicki last minute and seeing if it’s ok if I still come. (Honestly I would most likely not believe in God now and be living the lifestyle I had before.) I am honored to have met everyone here. There were so many times when I wanted to pack up and leave, because things were too hard or too messy. I pulled all the bones out of my closet and this year was a chance for me to see.. I don’t have it all together and I am messed up. I am still broken but God is restoring me piece by piece. There are still things I struggle with and still things I do wrong. In no way shape of form am I ok or do I have my ducks in a row. In fact my ducks are scattered all over the yard except for one duck. That’s the duck that knows it’s in love with God and wants nothing more than to chase after Him. (this is my favorite duck!) I am happy that I stayed and toughed out the year. It’s funny I would rather go to an intense training physically then do anything emotionally. If I’ve learned anything this year it’s been that growing well… sucks. It hurts. It’s no walk in the park. Basically it’s God stripping you down to nothing and you coming to a point of surrendering everything you have. Which I believe I came to this year. I am praying that this continues on while I’m at home and that I continue to grow there and prepare myself for Africa.

 

Prayer:

• My aunt Vickie. She needs all the prayer she can get.
  
• My high schoolers- they are already getting upset that us interns are having to leave them.
  
• Me-For strength while I’m at home, and for help with my devotions ( I need to stop putting them off)