I’ve grown a lot this month. This month we have had very little off days and free time, but I think this might still end up being one of the best ones. I have slowly been able to give up the idea that my family and friends back home need me and I need them. This might not sound like a bad problem to struggle with, but it preoccupies my mind and grows my anxiety. One day I heard God so clearly say “Allie do you trust me?” ….”well yeah God I trust you”….. “Then trust that I will protect those you love” and just like that I received peace. Applying for college was also was a huge cause of stress this month and I had to believe the truth that God has a plan for me and its better than any plan I could come up with by myself. I feel like I know what I want my future to look like, but everyday I have to humble myself before God and remember that He loves me enough to know the absolute best path for me. Haha I’m laughing because that sounds so easy, but its not. I don’t know when I will be able to confidently say that I have given God every piece of control in my life, but I can say that everyday I’m growing and giving up control of new things. I’ve noticed that..yeah sure its scary to not be in control, but its so freeing!!!!! Our mission work here in Ecuador is demanding of hmmm about all my energy which makes it hard to be joyful in all things. Kristen our leader was encouraging us to invite Jesus into our day, our conversations, our work, and pretty much everything else. This tactic sounds silly because Jesus is always with us, but trust me it helps especially when things are hard. I was mixing concrete for about 4 hours while we were building houses for hurricane victims and let me just say that is not forgiving on my lower back. My whole body was aching and the only way I thought I would be able to be joyful was when it was over, then I said in my head “okay Jesus on this next shovel lets do it together 1….2…3” and suddenly I began to forget about my pain and remember what that concrete was going to be used for. All those pounds of concrete where being used to show the love of Jesus. Thats just a little trick I have been doing to help me truly find joy in all things. Yes, I cry when I think of home and how much I miss it, but I have grown to accept that my heart hurts when I think of what I want and the only way to stop that pain is to remember what God wants and He wants me…He wants me to focus on him. I have lived 18 years comfortably and God asked me to give this year to just him so I’m currently working on dwelling on my heavenly father and trusting that He will take care of my earthly father and all 6 members of my crazy family. From severing meals to hundreds of people every week to jumping in the ocean with street kids Ecuador has definitely been an adventure I will never forget.
Im still about 2,000$ away from my goal which goes towards my lodging and flight to Albania so if you would like to help me on my journey of advancing God’s kingdom click the donate button!!!! thanks love you guys……NEXT STOP THAILAND
