Hello friends! Wow oh wow has so much changed in the past few weeks. I wanted to hop on here and share a little about what has changed in regards to my trip. As of right now, it’s still on.
One of the most important lessons that the Lord has shown me in this craziness is that we can make all the plans we want, and attempt to control as much of our future as possible, but ultimately it is all in God’s hands.
I have faced so many changes, whether it be with school, my home life, my diet, my ability to get Wendy’s at my leisure. Jokes aside, I have faced a lot of devastation and loss and seen much of it in my community and generally in the world around me.
I was so excited to go to Italy and to continue leading my middle school girls in my youth group, preparing for our summer camp trip. But, It feels like the Lord has issued a much needed reality check.
These past few weeks, as difficult as they have been, have showed me what it feels like to surrender. It feels like in the phrase “I surrender to (_____,)” has been filled in by many things: “COVID-19,” “the government,” “social media,” “loneliness.” But the only true and definite answer is “Jesus.”
I am brought back to the same verse I mentioned in my first blog post. Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you.”
This verse has been comforting and reassuring me throughout this period of constantly checking the news and my email for answers from all sorts of places. Only, God is the only one with the real answers, the fulfilling, life-giving ones.
So, I encourage you, let this period be one of growth, of self-discovery and surrender. Find faith amidst fear. I am still looking forward to this trip, and for the glorification of God and His word. The only thing that has changed along with my realignment has been my gratitude. I pray that the trip still happens, but either way, the gospel is being preached, and in that I rejoice.
Whether in Argentina and Brazil or in our own houses and communities, we have an opportunity. An opportunity to turn brokenness and hurt into glory.
Thanks for being in this with me. Let me know if there’s ways I can be showing up for you too. We’re in this together.
