Hello everyone!!
Been reflecting this past week on how my time on the World Race would just have ended last week. 11 months, 11 countries, instead for me it was 7 months 7 countries and some “varying provinces”.
I didn’t anticipate coming back on the blog after my missional travels were over but I also believe this is all apart of the journey, and since our time was shorten on the race, God has been continuing what he had intended for this season all along.. and how could I not share that!!
How can I begin telling the story that God wrote for me this past year. Well I can start by saying full heartedly… God ALWAYS KEEPS HIS PROMISES. ALWAYS. The Lord gave me an impression while praying that I would travel the world and share in other cultures and live among collective people groups… this happened nearly four years ago. I had no idea the means this would all occur but he showed me a glimpse of what was to come. Why? Because he is faithful and wants his followers to trust in his all powerful, all knowing character, he was already moving and working for my good.
While in the transition from teaching, to serving full time at a breakfast joint, to fundraising and moving back to Minnesota, I was thrilled, expectant and honestly a bit terrified of what this next year would bring. My free spirited heart kept me from pondering all the details and questions to follow. I left all I knew to chase a dream that I believe God had in store for me all along. Was it a vacation. NO! Did I have a number of opportunities to explore and see the beauty of this world.. absolutely! A whirlwind of God ordained moments happened, he moved in ways I never would have imagined! Embrace the mysteries of God !
Coming home to my Grandma passing and being quickly stripped from the constant community of my squad, I was navigating all the intense emotions that followed. Sadness, loneliness and confusion. Shortly after COVID-19 struck the US and everything shut down, I was struggling to find work and lock down something for a income.
I found myself asking God, ” I still trust you in this process, but it feels like I am stuck and very unsure directionally where I am going next?”
God loves hearing our prayers and cry to him. David mentions this in Psalm 61..
“From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. “
My circumstance was unique to me, but don’t we all go through transition periods where we ask… what the heck is happening?!
The Lord reminded me of my journal entry in China, while sitting in a booth area at our hostel, month one for the race. I just wrote the word… California. I continued to write out questions and pieces of why God was putting California on my heart? Yet not any clarity followed the journal entry.
I proceeded to keep it on the back of my mind for the next several months of the race. Asking my teammates to speak into what God could be saying about California. Having my squad and leadership team pray for clarity and direction in the months following the race. Is God saying move? Should I stay in the midwest and be close to family and friends? I decided while on the race I wasn’t going to allow a final conclusion to be made, I just wanted to be present in the current season the Lord had me in, being a testament to the nations!
However, month seven I was placed on a team that had five Californian natives and they sure talked up the place and how I would fit right in… yes you know who you are 😉 ahahahaha
SOOOO after more prayer, heavy consideration and seeing open doored opportunities.. I believe God is calling me to the West Coast !!
I am officially MOVING TO SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA !!
( cue up… California Love by 2pac )
For many of you, you may know my heart and deep passion to serve troubled and at risk women that have experienced sexual explotiation. After a recent visit out to San Diego, I was able to connect with larger organizations in the Southern Californian area and I plan to get connected and really serve and learn from the teams that have been in the ministry for years. My next step is to obtain a Master’s degree in Psychology and Counseling to further study the depths of mental health specifically with at- risk women and children.
So as my time comes to a close here in Minnesota, I am eternally grateful that the last few months of the race were written here in the midwest. God showed up big and allowed this season to be refining, challenging and a beautiful chapter for me to hold for a lifetime.
Thank you to all who have reached out in love, support and encouragement as I move along from the race to my next adventure! SO CAL !! (apparently Californians never refer to California as Cali) haha learning all the ropes as I go.
If you are looking for a sunny getaway in the dead of winter… please come visit !! 🙂
