Hiiii again! 🙂
Soooooooo lots has been happening lately, and it has become more and more real to me that I AM GOING AWAY TO SERVE & LOVE PEOPLE FOR A REALLY LONG TIME!!
Here’s some cool things I have been learning lately:
1) God’s love can be shown in the ordinary…you just have to look around.
I am already in contact with my squad (the peeps I will be going on this trip with), and one of them suggested I read Esther. SO GOOD! The main themes that I felt from reading it were how God is always at work, often and especially behind the scenes + the idea of “for such a time is this!”
For such a time is this to fulfill God’s purpose right here & now! Take some time to think about all you have been through before arriving to where you are now. What a time this is to celebrate God’s goodness! I was talking to my friend Ashley the other day about this, and I described it to be much like a movie. In order to make a movie, many smaller clips are combined. Sometimes, we are too close to the camera, too invested in a certain clip that we miss out on the big picture. We fail to see how God is using the current scene that surrounds us in our life for HIS good and HIS purpose (aka HIS movie). There are many moments in my life where I couldn’t see the relevance or why I needed to endure them. However, looking back, it is clear to see, that just like in the story of Esther, God was setting up something big. All of those small clips were important to create opportunities, teach lessons, and make connections that would help shape me into who I am.
2) This season of preparation is such a blessing to love on the people who brought me to where I am.
I did absolutely nothing to deserve the support system God has given me. SO many people have provided encouragement to me since I have began this whole World Race thing. Unexpected people have shown me His love, and pushed me to continue on my way towards the Lord. Ahhhh how am I going to be away from these beautiful people for so long?
Until I leave, I am just going to have to soak up every tear, every precious laugh, every story, every adventure, and every sweet moment with these people I love so much.
I am now out on Christmas break, and that means more time with all my closest friends and family. It’s so fulfilling to enjoy time with them, and also reflect in thankfulness for God’s provision in this area of my life.
3) Speaking of provision, GOD ALWAYS PROVIDES WOW LOOK AT MY PROGRESS BAR!
When I received my first donation, I immediately was brought to tears and felt humbled. To be honest, I even felt undeserving, and questioned why people believed in me and my cause so much. As more people have given financial support, this feeling has dissolved. I have realized also that spending time with the Lord daily provides me with the confidence in HIS purpose for me. The fact that I will be leaving the country and all the people whom I love so dearly is extremely overwhelming to me, but when I spend time with God, he reminds me that this is HIS plan, not mine. That means it’s a good one. One I can trust. With everything. Why? Because He is all-knowing. He knows my end from my beginning and every detail in my life that will occur, so yeah… I think I can trust Him.
I went to church one Sunday, and asked my youth pastor to please pray for my fundraising process, as I was trusting God’s provision but discouraged by the huge number I have to meet and limited progress I had made. Y’all. It was crazy. About two hours later, God moved in a really huge way. When I woke up that morning, I was less than 1% of the way to my fundraising goal. When I went to sleep that night, I was over 65% there. God moves constantly in our lives, and WOW does he provide! It has only been two months, and I am already more than halfway there financially. I am learning to trust Him: His provision, & his timing. They work together beautifully to make a difference in creation. It seems like every time I find something about the World Race that is prohibiting my excitement or willingness to go, God has taken it and thrown it aside. Watch out world, He’s clearing a way and knocking down doors to make this happen for me! The love He has for His children amazes me. I AM SO EXCITED TO GET SERVE A GOD LIKE THIS!!! Here & now as well as while I am oceans away.
Anyways……
THANK YOU! To everyone who has provided me with all forms of support, whether that be prayer, encouragement, or giving. I cannot express my gratitude to you, and I just hope you know that I could not do this if it weren’t for the support you surround me with.
Until Next Time,
Lexi Hatten
