New Years Eve is always a night we all look back over the previous year and take note of the good and bad. We always hope for the following year to be bigger and better. it’s a time of new years resolutions, a time to better ourselves, to start fresh, to move forward.
As I look back on 2011 I see myself starting the year off headed in one direction and ending in the complete opposite direction….Starting down a road of drinking, dating, hurt, frustration. Questioning who I am at age 27 not fitting anywhere. When I quit drinking June 17th the brutal realization that my “friends” were really just my “drinking buddies” was a hard pill to swallow and the feeling of not fitting became even stronger. Uninvited and outgrown from the “party people” but yet single and childless making fitting in with the married couples with kids near impossible. I finally gave in, threw my hands in the air and said “Ok God, I’m here….where are you?!” Of course, there He was, never leaving my side even though I spent over a decade not ever acknowledging His presence. He had a plan in store for me that I could have never imagined! A plan that made being 27, single, and childless the perfect fit. A plan that would rock my world!
July 12th I received the most life changing call I have ever received thus far. “Hi Jen, This is Jacob Hoyer with Adventures in Missions and I’m calling to let you know you’ve been accepted on The World Race!!” At that moment I don’t think the reality of what I just signed up for had really even sunk in. In fact, now at 5 ½ months later I still have to do a reality check to understand the magnitude of what is to come. And even still it hasn’t fully sunk in.
As I look back on 2011 I am thankful for where I came from. I am thankful for where I am at and am thankful for where I am going. As 2011 comes to end I have closed a huge chapter in my life. I’ve made a lot of life changing decisions and choices to finally not just believe in God but to honestly follow Him, to be in relationship with Him, to obey Him and grow in Him.
2012 is a time to FLY. I’ve been listening to Jonathan David Helser’s song “Fly” and it has hit home. I’m standing on the edge and as I step off I’m leaving behind my past, giving all to Christ. Its such a scary yet refreshing feeling. As I step into 2012 I plan on leaving my past behind. I’m ready to become the woman God has intended me to be! I’m ready to embrace a new lifestyle and I look forward to what God has in store for me!! Check out my last post “Goodbye Me” for more details as to what I’m leaving behind and what I plan to embrace.
I’m so excited for 2012! In just 10 short days I will be reunited with my entire D Squad!! From Ft Lauderdale, FL we will head out into the world to share God’s love, to feed the hungry, build homes and churches for those in need, to teach English, love on orphans, help women out of human trafficking. 2012 I get to love like He loved and serve like He served. To truly be His hands and feet!!! I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else in my life. I am so grateful that God has given me this as my journey!! I’m so glad I finally left the planning to Him cause I sure wasn’t getting myself anywhere haha!
Happy New Year!! May you embrace everything that 2012 has to offer! May it be a blessed, happy, healthy year! J
Funding update: Still need aprox $8600 to be fully funded! Donate today by clicking the “support me” link to the left or mail a check payable to Adventures in Missions PO Box 534470 Atlanta, GA 30353-4470 be sure to include “For Jennifer Langes” on the memo line. Thank you all so much for those of you who have gotten me this far! I am forever grateful! Your prayers and financial support means the world to me….literally!
Jonathan David Helser – Fly (Video below)
I close my eyes
Everything disappears but your smile
I raise my hands
On a cliff I stand
Arms open wide
You're the Father, I'm the child
You whisper to me:
Step off the edge
Leave it all behind
Leave it all behind
Cut loose, cut loose the tie
Let it go, let it go
Way too long
I've settled for these lies
When so much more
Has been waitin' on the other side
I think it's time
We crossed this river so wide
Leave these shores, step off the edge
Leave it all behind,
Leave it all behind
Cut loose, cut loose the tie
Let it go, let it go
Fly, Fly
You can fly
Leave the ground, leave the ground
Go and fly
This is what you
You were meant to fly
Through the wind and the trees
Through the wind, through the wind and the trees
Through the wind, through the wind and the trees
The leaves are dancin'
The leaves are dancin'
Healing, healing, healing
Healing power is comin' down
Healing power is comin' down
Healing power, healing power
Healing power is comin' down
It's just me and You
It's just me and You, Papa
It's just me and You in this place
It's just me and You and Your face
I can't hear any other voices
But Yours, but Yours
It's just me and You, God
It's just me and You, God
What I once was
What I once was
I'll never be again
I'm becoming the dream
The dream of God
Eden, oh the Garden is right here, right now
All I can see is you smiling
Smilng over me, oh God
