We have been reflecting a lot over the past eleven months and praising God for the things He has done in our lives this year. No matter what, our experiences and memories will be with us for the rest of our lives. The people we have met and the relationships we have built will forever be a part of who we are. As we have gone out and done ministry month after month, God has taught me a lot about ministry, culture, people, poverty, languages, etc. But after all of this, He’s also taught me a few things about myself.
I can be selfish – Living in community 24/7 really tests your fruits of the Spirit, even when you don’t want them tested! I have come to realize that every day I get to choose to act through my flesh or to ask God to strengthen my attitude and learn from my challenges.
I am unique – One thing God has grown me in tremendously is not living in a spirit of comparison. God didn’t make me to envy others or to want the gifts He gave them, but to be the woman of God He has already made me. I am His daughter, and that’s all that matters!
I like to fight – In Thailand, God really opened my heart up to praying for other people. Day after day, I would go to battle in prayer for those who didn’t realize their own need for a Savior. On a daily basis, Dustin and I would intercede for the women in the bars, and that attitude has stuck with me ever since. God has given me a gift, and I plan to continue fighting for others in prayer and using it for His glory.
I love my husband – Now, I’ve always known this, but if I could choose the one thing that has changed the most in my life due to this trip, it would be my marriage. With little privacy, busy schedules, being around each other 24/7, being around others 24/7, and constant transitions, I can honestly say that we have never been more in love. We have learned to communicate, learned to say ‘I’m sorry’, learned to laugh more often, learned to pray together, learned to challenge each others’ beliefs, and learned to pushed each other closer to Jesus Christ. We have been asked on several occasions how we haven’t gotten sick of each other, and all I can say is that because of God’s grace, I married my best friend.
There is so much more that I have learned, little lessons about how to love people, how to be Jesus to those who need Him the most, and realizing just how much God truly loves me. Maybe the most basic and most profound lesson that I’ve learned this entire year is this:
For the Bible tells me so;
Little ones to Him belong;
They are weak, but He is STRONG!
Yes, Jesus loves me.
Yes, Jesus loves me.
Yes, Jesus loves me.
The Bible tells me so!
