One thing that I’ve been learning a lot is that while making plans for your future is smart, the Lord’s plans are always better, so leave room for the big guy to come in and change things. All of high school I had my own plans for college and my future. I was excited to attend Seattle Pacific University and to start my future in missions. Then the Lord called me to the World Race. I listened, but honestly fought it a little at first because I liked my own plan. Then going into the race I once again had my own plans- when I got home from the race, I planned to attend SPU and major in Christian Theology. If you are good at picking up context clues, then you might know what is coming next… the Lord has been moving in my life in amazing ways and I will no longer be attending SPU next year.
Month 2 of the race the Lord asked me to lay down my future plans to go to college. I fought it for about a month before I admitted to my team and leadership that I had absolutely no peace about attending SPU. They began to pray over me as I started to listen to the Lord and ask Him what He did have planned for me. After I gave Him my initial ‘yes’ when He asked me to lay down my plans I didn’t get any more answers for 2 months. I was caught in the unknown, and for a planner like me that is 2 months of straight stress. I was frustrated that I had to give up my plans, and then wasn’t given any answers. But in that, the Lord taught me so much about patience, trust, and standing strong in my faith when others doubted me hearing the Lord.
At the beginning of month 5 the Lord spoke ‘Europe’ over me, and I was very confused. For a couple years I have felt called to serve longterm in Europe, but why would the Lord bring it up now, I haven’t even gone to college yet. I began to pray over that, and through a series of events that can only be described as God ordained, I heard about a Bible school in Germany called Bodenseehof. (If you want to hear more about how I heard about it, I would love to explain more over email or text as it is too long to include in the blog!) Bodenseehof, or Bode, is a 7 month program of intensive Bible Theology courses mixed in with short mission trips around Europe. Bode provides such an unique opportunity and as I strive to serve long-term in Europe, it will provide introductions to many different missions organizations in Europe. It will also better equip me with the book knowledge and classroom training to enter into the missions field, while the Race has equipped me in a more hands-on sense.
I come home from the race in 3 weeks, then I will have the full summer at home before leaving for Germany in the middle of September and returning early April. I am so excited for this new opportunity to study abroad while still getting to fulfill my calling in missions. If you have any questions about this decision or the school itself I would love to talk with you more and answer them.
Thank you so much for your continual support,
Michelle
