We were asked to write a blog about how we felt before leaving on this mission trip. Here is what I’m expecting…
I expect to become closer to God.
I’m not putting God in a box here… surely he can build our relationship here in “normal” life. But how much closer will we become when I HAVE to rely on Him 24/7? I am excited to see where he takes me and what it really means to be in a relationship with the Lord.
I’m not putting God in a box here… surely he can build our relationship here in “normal” life. But how much closer will we become when I HAVE to rely on Him 24/7? I am excited to see where he takes me and what it really means to be in a relationship with the Lord.
I expect change.
Change in myself, in others, and in the places I have become so familiar with. I love change, but it scares me sometimes. The biggest fear I have is for when I come home. I’m afraid that I won’t know any of my friends anymore, or they’ll all be married! Ha. But, it is a scary realization that the world you leave behind doesn’t stop just because you aren’t there. I think I’ll come home to many many differences in people that I’ve become so familiar with. This is a good thing. You have to accept that nothing is the same forever, and change is good!
(Correction, the Lord lasts forever 😉 )
I expect to be out of breath!
I expect to be out of breath!
Haha. Just kidding, I am going to train my body phyiscally so I am prepared to run long distances, climb mountains, and whatever crazy things are in store. But I do expect to be challenged physically. I know I will be doing things I’ve never done… which is scary and exciting at the same time.
I expect to be uncomfortable.
One of the main reasons I felt like God was telling me to leave America is because he wants me to be taken out of my comfort zone! I am so tired of living in a little bubble and not understanding the world around me. In America, we can have whatever we want, when we want it. I am so excited to be pushed to my limits. I’m excited to eat crappy food, sleep in dirty places, and not shower for days! I can’t wait to throw my comfort out the window! I’m tired of living such a pampered life. Bring on the dirt!
One of the main reasons I felt like God was telling me to leave America is because he wants me to be taken out of my comfort zone! I am so tired of living in a little bubble and not understanding the world around me. In America, we can have whatever we want, when we want it. I am so excited to be pushed to my limits. I’m excited to eat crappy food, sleep in dirty places, and not shower for days! I can’t wait to throw my comfort out the window! I’m tired of living such a pampered life. Bring on the dirt!
I expect to make sacrifices.
This is proabably the hardest topic of conversation so far. People don’t understand why I would give up so many things to do The World Race. I’m sure there are a million reasons why I shouldn’t go… but none of those reasons make sense to me. The ONLY thing that makes sense in my heart is to do what the Lord is calling me to do. Whatever I can do to build His Kingdom, I will do. If that means I have to live out of one little back pack for a year, figure out a way to make $14,000 and miss out on important things happening at home, then so be it! This is NOT my story.. this is NOT my life. The reason we we’re created is because God loves us so much and all he wants is for us to love him back. It’s not about us! So, to the world, I am making HUGE sacrifices for this trip… but to me, I know in my heart that this will bring glory to God and joy to my heart… and that is worth everything.
I expect to miss a lot of babies!
A few very important women in my life are pregnant right now, and most are due in early September! This means that I will get to see their little ones right when they’re born, and then not until they are almost 1 year olds! The hardest part will be missing out on the first year of my niece or nephew’s life. My sister Katie is due around September 4th! I love you Kit Kat! Also, our church body likes to have lots of babes! So, Jen, Julia, Lindsey, and probably more to come… I love you and I’ll miss seeing your babies grow!
I expect the Holy Spirit!
The Holy Spirit is the only way any of us are going to get through this trip. We must rely on God every step of the way or we will surely fail. We can do nothing good in our flesh! The Lord has sent us a Helper.. let’s use it!
John 14:15 “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you”
I expect… nothing.
I don’t want to sit around thinking and wondering what everything will be like. I feel like this puts a picture in my head of what I want this trip to be. What I have built it up to be in my head. I want to take whatever it is that I expect from this trip out of the picture. I want this to be 100% God’s will. None of my own doing, only His. I have fears and doubts of course, but then I remind myself that His ways are much greater than my own. So, all in all, I have peace about my journey to come!
Deuteronomy 31:8 The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged!
