So. I am not a blogger. BUT I do like to write. So. I have decided to update my blog at least once a month until I leave. I'm doing this for a couple different reasons. Not only do I want to look back 1 year from now at where I started, but I also want those who are supporting me and who are going to support me to know and understand my heart. I feel this is SO important!
So, in starting, I have spent the last 3 days snowed into my mother's house in South Tulsa. I have been out of work since Monday night and I have not left the house except to sled with my siblings ONE time. I have watched around 6 movies, read about 2 books (and over 100 blogs for the WR website), told 50+ funny family stories, made about 7 ridiculous home-videos and spent roughly 4 hours a day just thinking about how my life is about to change. I feel this is time I have been given to spend time with my family that I will not have in months to come.
A couple of thoughts crossed my mind. First, I didn't realize just how many things I will be missing out on while being gone. I mentioned in my last blog that I am the oldest of 9 kids. We range from ages 22 (me) all the way down to 6 months old (little Savanna). Thats alot of birthdays, alot of firsts (walking, driving, graduating!) and alot of memories that will be made over the next year. Its going to be tough for me (and maybe them..) to be gone knowing these things are happening at home. But, I am sweetly reminded that 1 year is nothing in comparison to the amount of time I will spend with my family in years (and eternity) to come.
Another thought I had stems from the ongoing conversations I've had and news articles, emails I've read on what is going on in this crazy world we are living in. THESE ARE EXCITING TIMES. Now, more than ever, it is time to reach out and share the love of Christ and the message that HE IS COMING SOON! In my mind, I automatically think to this trip that is coming up. What an opportunity I've been given to share the message of Christ to the world! But God is quick to remind me that there is an open mission field right where I live. My favorite thing as of lately has been to tell people what God has called me to do this year. It stops people in their tracks. It never fails to put a dumb-founded look on their face as they ask, "Why?". I LOVE it! There has been no better way for me to share my Jesus and what kind of things He will do in your life when you are willing to listen and obey.
All of this that I have written today really has one purpose. This is to share why I feel I have been called to go. Aside from the things God has spoken to me about temporarily leaving my life behind and aside from the miracles He has ALREADY pulled on my behalf is the very love and compassion He has placed in my heart to go in the first place. I want to be apart of the things God is doing in the world right now. I want SO MUCH for people to understand the Mighty and Loving God I serve. I want to see His children laugh and dance in His presence as they soak in the love of their Savior. I want to see people who have been sick receive a healing touch from God and shout praise proclaiming His faithfulness to heal the sick and hurting. I want not only to see, but feel and hear and experience others like me who have felt broken, depressed, lonely, hurt and confused being set free and receiving the fire back in their hearts and the sparkle back in their eyes as they realize there is one true God who LOVES them. There is a God who LOVES US!
I believe there alot more revelations Christ will reveal about Himself to me over the next few months and I cannot wait to share them with you! GOD IS GOOD.
Colossians 2:2-3
