We were asked to write a blog about how we were called to this mission trip. Here is my story…
So I’m realizing more and more that even though I’ve grown up in the technology era, I’m not very tech savvy. Alas I’m getting used to this whole blog thing (I am really excited about it) but it just might take me a while lol. Anyway, back to the point of this blog…
So here I am about to embark on an incredible journey around the world sharing the glorious news of our Savior Jesus Christ. How did I get here? You know, that really is a great question. Because had someone told me I would be doing this two years ago, I would have told them they were crazy. Well, if you read my bio I grew up with an incredible family. I really was brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. However, I did not KNOW Him until I came to college at Oklahoma State University (Go Pokes baby!) It was during this time that He began breaking me down, and purifying me from all of the worldliness I had developed over my life. I actually went on my first mission trip after my sophomore year to San Diego, California. It was incredible. And God truly changed my life that summer. Until that point it had always been, “God this is what my life needs to look like, please bless this plan.” But as I encountered Him that summer, I realized that it’s not about me, it never was. It’s about the Creator of the universe and it always has. I truly fell in love with Him that summer and I wanted my life to count. And I finally prayed those words… and meant them. “God wherever you want me to go, and whatever you want me to do, I will do it if it brings you glory.”
The coolest part of the story is how God brought me to the WR…
So the Lord revealed to me last summer that the next step in my life was to go on a year long overseas mission trip. The idea was pretty exciting so I didn’t have a hard time agreeing with Him. Well that leads the question “Who do you go with, and where would I go?” Honestly, that was a pretty intimidating question. And for about 6 months I got nowhere. I thought I would find something and then bam, that door would slam shut. Now, fast forward to December 31, 2008 at the ONETHING Conference with IHOP (International House of Prayer) in Kansas City, MO. I was meeting one my friend’s younger brother in the main lobby when I hear (with some desperation in their voice) “Is anybody from Oklahoma??” I was quickly volunteered. Immediately this stranger dragged me across the room in front of this guy and I was told “He needs a ride to Oklahoma City, can you help him?” I was leaving for Texas the day (and OKC is right on the way) so how could I not give the guy a ride. Well turns out this guy was Benny Veale (WR Jan ’09, Team Luminous, check out his bog!) and he needed a ride so he could fly out to Costa Rica the next day to begin his World Race! Well Benny told me all about the WR and immediately I knew this is what God had been preparing me for. When Benny was talking it reminded me of Luke 24:23 after Jesus had appeared to two men on the road to Emmaus after the resurrection…They said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?” My heart really did burn within me and I knew the WR was the next training ground the Lord has for me.
And that’s how I got here. Eight months away from the craziest adventure of my life. Eight months away from finally giving into His will. Eight months away from traveling the world and sharing the Love of Christ… I can’t wait ; )
