Hello friends and family! Currently I am sitting in a coffee shop, processing and thinking about the past 4-5 days, and having a hard time believing that by this time next week I will be in Mozambique! Ah! Yay for bucket showers!
I arrived in Atlanta on Monday, and we have had training every day since Tuesday and I have learned so much about great leadership, myself, budgeting, the Lord, it’s been so much and it has been awesome. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know my co-leaders during this time.
Being at home was amazing. I loved my time with my family and seeing how much the Lord has changed in me. I value the time I had with those close to me, and sharing what the Lord has done over the past year of my life. And now here I am again, same hotel I was in a year ago, and I reflect over all the Lord has done in me and through me. He has given me freedom in my soul. Freedom in areas I never thought I would have freedom. I have grown in my love for evangelism, prayer, and being in His Word.
Something we learned about during training is something called the victim circle, and the freedom circle. When we live in the victim circle, we blame those who have affected our lives and how our circumstances have shaped us. And when we live in the freedom circle we realize the choice we have. Yes, maybe we have been hurt by people or circumstances, but when we are freed by the Son, we have an opportunity to forgive, and make different choices. I began to see how I was living in the victim circle still. The Lord began bringing up people and situations where I was blaming them. And how when I fought to forgive, the freedom that I now have, and how when we choose life, forgiveness, and love, there is a shift in how we see the world.
This is something the Lord has done in the past year and something He is still doing. I love coming out of the victim circle. Admitting that yes, I have been hurt, but also I am choosing to forgive and no longer allowing those things to shape and affect my choices and my life. But now the Lord is directing my path and transforming my mind. And I’m happy. I’m counting my blessings. I’m no longer living in shame.
I have forgiven others and pray those I have done wrong to can forgive me as well. How do you know if you have not forgiven someone in your heart? It’s when you think about someone, and in your spirit you immediately become angry, call them names, or blame them. Anger is only something we use to cover pain that the Lord wants to unveil, and bring healing.
I’m so grateful to no longer be a victim, and to walk in freedom. I’m so excited that the Lord has me here! I can see why He has me here, and He is showing me more everyday. Thank you to everyone who has encouraged me in this journey and have walked me through it. I’m excited for these next five months, and year. To have and develop new friendships, continue to establish old friendships, to help others walk in the destiny and freedom our Heavenly Father has for them, but most importantly to go deeper with the Lord and pursue my relationship with Him.
When you pray for me, please pray this prayer over me-
Colossians 1:9-11
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all poweraccording to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience.
Blessings and peace to you all. Thank you!
