WOW has this been a crazy year! It is 100% crazy to think just how much God has changed my plans and future! One year ago today, I had a countdown app on my phone till the day I could apply to the University of Nebraska Lincoln (Go ‘skers!!). Today, I am writing my first ever blog about how I will be in another country January 1, 2019. What?!?!
First of all, welcome to my blog. I am used to the 160 character limit on twitter… so bear with me on my often long tangents and overused emojis 
You may be wondering why on Earth anyone would press pause on plans for college. Well, up until a few months ago, I would have asked the same question! I was so focused on MY plans and MY future that I didn’t stop and say, “God, where would you have me go after graduation?” I even prayed to God, thanking Him that college was His plan for me and not some crazy mission gap year like a few of my friends are doing. In the back of my mind, I kept hearing Him say, “That’s because you never asked if that was actually MY plan for you or if that was YOUR plan for you.”
It happened in 1st hour Lit and Film. I was looking into Adventures in Missions on my laptop to potentially go back to Dominican Republic (where I went on my first mission trip with a local church) when I saw it: a tab labelled World Race: Gap Year. I have a friend that is currently out in the field with the World Race, so I already knew what it was so I said NOPE! to God. I thought FOR SURE that was not for me and that any long-term mission work He would want for me could wait until AFTER college and maybe medical school. Curious, I clicked on the tab anyways and began reading. I got chills. Now, don’t get me wrong, I live in Nebraska where it is often sub -200 degrees and I naturally need a blanket close by at all times to keep warm, but never in my life have I gotten chills while sitting inside. While wearing a long-sleeve shirt. And a hoody. And a North Face jacket. And fuzzy socks. Ever so patiently, God pursued my future and provided me with sign after sign that I needed to give up my plans of going straight to college and pursue what HE wanted for me. And believe me, I can be stubborn so He had to be VERY blunt with me at times, showing me a connection or sign for every one of the four countries (Malaysia, Thailand, Costa Rica, and Ecuador).
So here I am. Preparing to travel across the globe and I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO EXCITED.
-A
