Final debrief is here.
For the last 3 days P-Squad has been celebrating the last year that we have spent together and all of the amazing things that God has done around the world and within our hearts. It truly has been an amazing year full of laughter and joy, sorrow and tears. But as all things must come to and end, we are here, and will be arriving in Chicago in 3 short days.
We started debrief with a morning and evening session on Sunday, had a free day yesterday, and then today (during the day) we had a film festival featuring films a few squad mates have made over the year. Tonight was the grand finale and we had a banquet that we all dressed up for and a graduation ceremony afterwards (we even wore graduation caps and got diplomas). It was fun and full of laughter and a few tears. With all of the talk about going home the question has been asked of me by squad mates as well as people from back home,
"What's next?" "What are you going to do after the Race?"
So for those of you at home who are also wondering I would like to answer your questions before I even see you face to face. I feel that for the next stage (or season) of my life I am called to go to Loveland, CO and to live and work with my mom and step-dad. They have a glass shop that replaces and restores widows. They have had the business for nearly three years now and it is doing well. I plan on working with them wherever they need me and growing my business, managerial, and marketing skills, as well as paying off all of my debt from school and car loans I have accumulated in the next year. On top of that, my mom, since coming home from the Parent Vision Trip (PVT) trip in Thailand, has begun to pray with a group of women who are starting a ministry together called Flourish. I also feel called to work and serve alongside of them and to see what God leads us into.
So that is my plan. That is what I have and what I feel the Holy Spirit has lead me to at this fork in the road. I will also be actively praying for the next 9 months about doing more long term or short term missions with AIM or through some of the various contacts that I have met throughout the year, God willing. God has specifically laid Thailand and Romania on my heart as 2 countries and contacts that I will be praying for and potentially be returning to in the future. From here on out in my life I will go where He leads and do what He asks.
God has also laid finding a church home and my personal need for mentorship on my heart. I will be seeking out Christian community via a home church in Loveland intentional mentorship from a few people when I get back home. I am praying for God to lead me into the right places and relationships that will both grow and spur me on towards love and good deeds. With all of that said I would like to THANK YOU ALL who have read my blogs and supported me in prayer and other ways this year. It has meant the world to me to have this little corner I can go to where people care enough to read, pray, and contribute to what is happening here.
I wanted you all to know that the blogs will not stop from here. This is not the end, but rather the beginning. On top of my other plans I also plan on starting my own blog domain and continuing to update you all on what God is doing in my life and ministry. As I plan on embarking in future ministry I would love to have the support of readers like you who will partner with me in prayer and in other ways to further the work of the kingdom here on earth. I will be letting you all know more about this the first few weeks of arriving home.
Another thing I would like to do is to attend what is called "Project Searchlight" from January 3-9th in Atlanta, Georgia. It is a seminar that is organized and sponsored by AIM for World Race alumni who possibly would like to partner with AIM in the future. On top of giving us practical advice, counseling, and prayer for transitioning back into our lives at home they will also be informing us about opportunities for the future and setting us up with relationships that will help us to move forward in what God has for us.
The cost to attend is free. Food, lodging, and local transport are also all covered for the duration of the conference but Racers have to come up with the cost of airfare. Thanks to you all I have $178 extra in my support account which will help cover the cost but I need to come up with the cost of the ticket which is $416 as of today. If you can and would like to contribute to this you can do so by donating to my support account via the link in the left column. If you can't donate it is not a problem. I would also appreciate prayer that the money will come through somehow.
God has really shown me this year how to trust Him with my finances and as I have been faithful he has provided for my every need. I know this is no different, and I would like to thank you for coming alongside me in prayer for this.
ONCE AGAIN I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU FOR READING, PRAYING, AND SUPPORTING ME THIS YEAR.
MAY GOD BLESS YOU IN YOUR ENDEAVORS AND MAY YOU FEEL THE COMFORT OF HIS LOVING SPIRIT EVERY DAY.
IN JESUS NAME,
AMEN.
