There are many things I have gained throughout the past year, and many things that I have left behind as I have made my way around the world. Here are a few things off the top of my head…
Things I’ve gained :
a new best friend : I talk to Jesus first thing in the morning and the last thing at night and frequently in between. I talk to Him before I do anything, in the middle of doing things, and after things are finished. He is the first one I go to. For the smallest things, the biggest things, and everything in between – He hears it all!
freedom from needing to know the next few steps : I just need one. Just the next step.
28 new family members that I will love forever : My crazy Fusion family will carry a special place in my heart forever.
a new perspective on life : If I’m not living all day, every day, focusing on Christ in all I do, I’m missing the point of life on this earth.
an enormous amount of JOY! : My cup overflows with joy. 🙂
a bunch of fun new nicknames, including but not limited to : two stainz, brown mamba, scrat, toad, H.B.
the realization that “the joy of the Lord is my strength” can be taken literally : God physically has given me strength and energy when I needed it this year, along with that He throws in joy. When you are filled with joy, it’s hard not to be energetic about stuff…
a more sensitive spirit : If I don’t do things with a sincere loving heart, they are pointless…
6 new chins : just kidding… kind of…
a better understanding of what really matters : Honestly so many things we concern ourselves with DO NOT MATTER at the end of the day. It doesn’t matter if you’re from a Methodist/Presbyterian/Reformed/Lutheran/etc. church… who cares. If we love Jesus and have a personal relationship with Him, why does it matter what we have labeled ourselves as? I hadn’t thought about my ‘religious background’ for the entire year, until I stepped back into the U.S. and then I was asked about it more times in a few weeks than I was the entire rest of the year. Why do we care so much?! It doesn’t actually matter…
an appreciation for long church services with a healthy portion of truth from the Bible : Why are we so concerned with getting out of church on time? Sometimes Sunday is the only day people ‘give to God’ and if that time goes over an hour we get our feathers in a ruffle. I used to be one of those people. But now I see something is seriously wrong with that picture…
Things I’ve left behind :
being a ‘photo obsessed missionary’ : Honestly, I’d rather live in the moment with people instead of living behind the camera. Now, I won’t take a picture of a child or with a child unless I have a personal friendship with them and have truly gotten to know them first. Otherwise it’s just weird if you really think about it…
bitterness : I no longer harbor this nasty emotion that can leak into other parts of my life and cause me to rot from the inside out.
my need to blend in and follow the crowd : I’ve always kind of liked to do my own thing, but now I REALLY have the confidence (because of Christ) to be a daughter of the King in all situations.
brushing things under the rug : If I need to apologize, I do it. If I need forgiveness, I ask for it. If something is driving a wedge between a brother/sister of mine, I address it. We have voices for a reason, and clearing the air can be done in Christ-like manner no matter what the situation.
a need for stuff : It’s all junk. We can’t take it with us. And quite frankly, it’s HEAVY to carry that crap all over the world. I think my ‘necessities’ list is pretty small now…
letting fear and lies rule my heart : Seriously, God hears every prayer. When I sincerely ask for help fighting against the devil’s schemes – Jesus listens and rescues me!
I am home now and so thankful for the prayers over the past year! 🙂 It has been truly life changing and I am so grateful for all of your support. God is so faithful and He is so good! See you around sometime soon!
love,
heather
