God Is Real

I really hope someone is reading this that still has a few doubts about God.  I'm not even sure how to write this because I am overwhelmed by how precise God is with His specific plan for you, me, and every living, breathing soul.

Last summer, I was broken.  I knew I needed God in my life more than just in my pocket whenever I needed Him.  My beautiful friend Kristie was there for me last spring and summer when I really needed a true God-fearing friend more than any other time in my life.  She was taking me to church in Athens and Atlanta on Sundays, inviting me to UGA Wesley every week, and listening to me whenever I was down on myself.  Our friendship was not always roses and butterflies, but God specifically placed her back into my life for such a divine purpose.  I love you, Kristie!

When school started this past fall, God decided He had better plans for me.  He didn't want me to go back to UGA.  He needed me back home with my family before I was going to leave for a year.  He needed me in a quiet, comfortable place where I could be vulnerable to know Him more.  He needed me to rekindle friendships with people I grew up with and befriend people to help me grow into a Godly woman.  He also needed me to hear about a girl named Katie Davis.

This is the article I read in People magazine.  I was blown away by this 22 year old girl from Tennessee that gave up her boyfriend, family and suburban life so she could live in Uganda.  She is now in the process of adopting 13 beautiful girls.  They live together and welcome children, mothers and families in their home with open arms.  I thought it would be difficult to have one child at my age, but thirteen? She was already my hero, but there's more.  She founded a Christian nonprofit called Amazima, which is dedicated to helping Ugandan kids and their families. 

As I am reading this article, I am simultaneously grooming our sweet rescue puppy Bella.  My parents and sister found her off the side of the highway in Macon, GA.  She was around five weeks old at that time. The picture at the top left corner is from right when they scooped her up.  

We soon realized that her fur needed maintenance.  She was living on the side of the road with a mother who could not take care of her for 5 weeks. So, of course she needed love, care and attention.  The top right picture was taken after I had started picking some yucky hairs off her cute little face.  Our miracle puppy soon began looking like a brand new animal.  The bottom left picture was taken after her "makeover" I  had given her that day I was reading about Katie Davis.  The bottom right picture was taken in December.

As I was bringing Bella's skin back to life, I was reading about a normal girl who brought dying, starving people of Uganda back to life.  I had an epiphany.  No really, I did.  I knew God had put it on my heart to help people in some way, but I finally knew how.  

I began researching volunteer opportunities at orphanages in other countries.  Yes, there are people in these conditions in America, but I was being called across the world.  After much internet searching, I couldn't find a place that was perfect.  I wanted to commit further.  I wanted to spend more than just a week or a month in a place.  Also, I didn't want to just do it for my own benefit.  I wanted to share the love God has shown me to countries who have never heard the name of Jesus.  I wanted other people to feel the way I did about a God who has saved us all from our sin.  

Here came my wonderful, goofy friend Ciara back into my life.

She is 22 years old today! Happy birthday, C!

Ciara has always been my buddy.  In middle school, she always invited me to her church.  I finally started going on Wednesday nights and guess what?  I was first saved by Jesus beside her.  I was too young to understand what the life of a servant looked like, but I knew He was in my heart.  

She is the silly friend who I've always gotten a good laugh from everytime we are together.  She is unique and she knows it.  That's what I like about her.  She likes to be weird.  So do I.  

The day before I left to see family in Florida for Thanksgiving, we were texting each other.  It had been a while since I had talked to her or seen her.  It didn't matter.  She was still trying to convince me to do something.  I'm glad she did.  She told me about this thing called the World Race.  She was leaving in July.  I told her she was crazy.  I was not going to run another marathon with her.  (She constantly tries to tell me I am superwoman and can turn into an avid runner in a month. Maybe one day!)  She laughed and told me it was not a marathon, it was an 11 month mission trip. 

My jaw dropped.  This is exactly the thing I had been praying about for months.  I researched for hours that night.  I couldn't even go to sleep because I wanted to stay up watching videos and reading blogs from racers.  I knew this was God's next adventure for me.  He had prepared my heart for this journey for 22 years.  

I applied the next week.  I was accepted the next week.  I was told of a roommate to take over my lease in Athens a few days later.  I rekindled frienships throughout the next few weeks.  I went to a life-changing event called Passion Conference in January.  Along the way, I have met so many wonderful supporters that will be praying for me and helping me financially for this adventure God has called me on.

Every single day since I have completely opened my heart to God, He has shown me the way.  He is always holding my hand and telling me how much He loves me.  Every moment I am scared, He places another angel in my life.  Every time I want to reach out to someone, He shows me who.  I am constantly blown away by how much He loves me and I just hope you would know that He loves you and I the same.  His mercies are new every morning, so please… please don't give up on Him.  He has never given up on us. 

But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him." The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.