I grew up very blessed. Throughout my life my parents have gone above and beyond providing for me for me in more ways than I could ever imagine. From giving me a college education where I was able to graduate with debt free to making a point of spending quality time with myself and each of my sisters. They have shaped me into the women of God I am today and I cannot thank them enough for all they have done.
Not only did my parents provide for me but they also blessed me with growing up in a Christ centered household. We went to church every Sunday morning and Wednesday evening, VBS and church camp were always a part of our summers and I participated in our church choir (I’m still not sure how they let me in because God definitely did not give me the gift of singing, however, I’m glad they did because I really enjoyed the camaraderie it brought to my life).
Even though I grew up in a Christian home, I knew I was saved by Christ and that He died on the cross for me, the older I got the more I turned to the world to fix my problems instead of turning to God. This slowly became a terrible habit that I lived my life around without even realizing it. Eventually, this selfish lifestyle of living for myself, “enjoying my college years”, and doing what pleased me rather than what pleased God came to a head and I hit a very low point in my life.
I had been having this feeling for awhile that something was missing from my life. I was trying to figure out what it was and I thought I could do that by living a fun, carefree life. When I realized that living the “YOLO” lifestyle (for lack of a better word) wasn’t making me feel any better (it actually had the opposite affect on my life) I knew something needed to changed. I struggled with anxiety a lot. I wasn’t sure where to go or what to do. When I felt that I was at the lowest point I had ever been I finally realized I just needed to give it all to God.
I couldn’t do this on my own and even though I considered myself a Christian, I didn’t have a relationship with Jesus and definitely wasn’t living my life for Him. I began to force myself to schedule time in my day for just me to be with God so I could rebuild my relationship with Him. I began to see changes in my life almost instantly and felt this comfort from Him I had never felt before. It was such an amazing feeling that I almost can’t even put into words.
This was just the beginning though. I still struggled with resisting to fall back into the bad habits I had created. I knew it was going to take time and work to build my relationship with Christ back up and make new habits that pleased Him instead of pleasing my selfish desires but I was willing to put that work in.
I recently moved about 45 minutes from where I grew up and I wanted to find a church closer to my apartment. I decided to drop in one Sunday morning at this church I drive past on my way to work everyday. As soon as I walked through the doors I felt God again give me this feeling of comfort and content, like He was making me feel at home there. After attending just one service I instantly fell in love with the Church and God all over again. It began this desire in my heart to live my life for Jesus even more than I already was.
A month or two later, the lead pastor at this Church focused his message for that week on missions. From almost the very beginning, when he started talking, to the end of his message I cried, like ugly, Kim Kardashian, cry. It was such a refreshing feeling and in that moment I knew God was speaking to me again telling me He had a bigger plan for my life and He was calling me to do His work here on earth through missions.
After realizing God wanted me to go, I immediately reached out to the church asking if they could help me with what to do next. I knew God wanted me to go and make disciples of all nations like He says in Matthew 28:19, and I was so excited to do that but I didn’t know what step to take next.
Eventually, I began researching the World Race which has now lead me here. Having the opportunity to fulfill this desire God has placed on my heart and to be able to physically live out His works here on earth in 11 months to 11 different countries to some people who have never even heard the name Jesus Christ is more than I could ever hope for.
I have never been so passionate about something in my life. However, I do still struggle with my anxiety on this decisions. Not knowing how I am going to raise $16,000 or how I’m going to deal with missing important events in my friends and family’s lives while being gone for a year can really get to you if you let it. Even though those aspect of this have been hard, I’m so willing to take this giant leap of faith and follow God on this adventure. I hope that you will be apart this adventure with me!
I would appreciate all of the support I can get. Please pray for me as I am preparing to go and pray for God’s work to be done through me while I am traveling. I would love for you to be apart of this journey with me. Please follow my blog and I promise to keep you updated on all of my adventures and how God is changing others through me and how He will also be changing my life. I appreciate all of the support I have gotten already and I am so excited to take this journey with you!
