There is no better way to wrap up a chapter in your life than by a bitter sweet ending. I had a conversation with a dear friend, Gabrielle, this summer at camp about how hard it was going to be to say goodbye to our fellow counselors. We agreed however, that we would rather it be hard to say goodbye because it meant the summer was special. Endings can be hard, but new beginnings are a good thing too. I always have to remind myself that God is still God no matter what I am doing or where I am.
It is starting to hit home more every day that college is ending. I can count the amount of rehearsals I have left for band on one hand, I preached for the last time at my college ministry, Rooted, I organized my last 24 hour prayer weekend, and someone asks me every day, “Are you ready to graduate? Are you excited?” or something to that nature.
While mixed feelings are really strong right now, I have to stay rooted in Christ and continue to seek his truth in my life.
I have started to pray more about my calling into ministry lately. I began to attend a new church in Durango called “Durango Vineyard”, along with the Methodist Church, and have fallen in love with the atmosphere. It is so authentic and real and reminds me of a lot of the things I treasure about Rooted. While I was there for the first time, I could feel God tugging at my heart and saying, “This is you”. It gave me so much encouragement to see the pastor being himself and not trying to fit into societal norms of wearing a robe and preaching all professional like. He is so laid back and raw and down to earth. He preached just from the Bible and I feel God has called me in a similar way. The following week, I talked to him to see if we could meet up and chat about how you go about building such an authentic community. We are meeting next week and I am so excited!
Last night was the final night I preached at Rooted and let me tell you, it was emotional for me. Rooted was the place I found my identity in Christ, my best friend gave her life to the Lord and was baptized, and I found my college family. Saying goodbye is unimaginable. When I had finished preaching, one of my friends came up to me and told me that she felt God nudge her and she needed to tell me something. She said this has never happened to her, but she felt really strongly that God wanted her to express to me this specific thing right now. She said that God laid on heart that He has created me as I am and desires for me to preach the way I am. I am bubbly and excited and that is ok. My style is how some people need to hear God’s message. I do not need to try to be someone I am not because God crated me this way.
I was blown away, wow. That was the exact thing that I had been praying about and trying to work on this past few weeks. I know that was from God. He is so crazy and good!
Before Rooted started, the leadership team and I set up the chapel for the 24 hour prayer weekend and I am in aww of God’s faithfulness. We have prayer stations where we can write questions, surrenders, prayers for the world, Yay God’s, and paint prayers. We have open places to just draw, write scriptures and personal prayers. We have worship music playing and it is so peaceful and welcoming. I know the spirit is here. And yes, it really is open 24 hours and for the most part there is someone here praying every hour of the day this whole weekend (There was at least 2-3 people here at the wee hours of the morning last night. It is amazing to see how God keeps us awake when we are obedient to praising and glorifying His name) Every time I walk into the chapel and see the spaces fill up with people’s prayers, I am inspired. This community is amazing and is making a difference for the kingdom.
I am in aww of God and the impact He has made in my life. I am excited to see Him move in other people’s lives even though I may not be here. It is exciting to see new life, marriages, and friendships evolve around Christ being the center. I pray that the person I have become will only continue to be sanctified and fall more in love with the Father as I move onto my next adventure.
Thank you God for the blessings of Rooted, Fort Lewis, and Durango. I pray you continue to bless the people, churches, and ministries here.
Fundraising Update!
I have my rescheduled Benefit Recital next Sunday April 10th- 3pm at the Durango Methodist Church. I would love to have an audience and be able to talk to you about my mission! I am getting so close to being fully funded! Thank you so much!!
