This past week my parents had the opportunity to join me on the field. This was something I had anticipated since August 3rd ~ the day I last saw them in Atlanta, GA. Way back when I use to say “If I can just make it to March when I get to see my parents it will only be down hill from there.”
What I didn’t expect or realize at the time is the change God would do inside of me between August- March. I didn’t know then how much I would change. I didn’t know then that these people who were only strangers back in August, would quickly become my family.
I couldn’t pin point the day or time it happened, but like any thing with God it happened over time ~ in His perfect timing.
I‘m not the same Emily Ann who secretly cried her eyes out on the last flight from Miami to Santiago, Chile. Truth is I was scared. Scared of losing the only life I had ever known ~ that I loved so deeply. I loved my family. My boyfriend. My friends. I remember that flight so clearly. I kept thinking to myself ”What are you doing? You love your life at home. Who in their right mind would leave everything and everyone they love so much for 11 months?”
Over these past 8 months I have changed. I have grown in boldness. I have grown in confidence who the Lord created me to be. I know where my identity comes from ~ not in people or things ~ but from the maker of the universe. The one who looked at me and thought the world needed one of me too.
God has showed me over and over His faithfulness and goodness. Like anyone I’ve had some lows over the past 8 months and times when I couldn’t see past the next day ~ but God was always there. Holding my hand each step of the way.
More than the change God has done inside of me I had the opportunity to share with the two people I love the most my everyday crazy ~ beautiful ~ unordinary life. They got a picture of what it looks like living in community. We cry together. We laugh together. And we celebrate our victories together. This is my family.
The EA that cried most of the flight until I fell asleep I can barely recognize her anymore. I look back and think you of little faith. Why did you ever doubt the Lord would take care of you. I’m thankful through all the hard and all the challenges ~ change happens. Not immediately but slowly. And one day maybe 8 months later you look back and can barely recognize the person you use to be.
Chasing after Jesus,
EA
