Once upon a time, nestled in the lush fall colored trees of northeast Alabama rest a little blue barn.
As we are arrive to this mysterious place we are kindly greeted by Beth our alumni host and her husband Paul and their four kitties!
The little blue barn is not so little and has a pretty big story to go with it as well. Let me just tell you only God can write a story like Beth and Paul’s and I’ll let them tell you their story. What I am going to share with you is what God taught me and showed me while getting the opportunity to live in this community.
We got to go to work with Beth everyday. She works at The Little River Canyon Center, which is part of Jacksonville State University, in Alabama, and runs in partnership with the national park services.
We got to be a part of the Canyon Festival, and helping to clearing a new trail for people to enjoy. We explore this National Preserve, and were able to meet some amazing people along the way.
In spending time clearing branches to a make a clear path to the creek, I spent time in prayer and conversation with Father God, asking Him about what’s next and where He has me going.
As I’m approaching the end of this trip I’m faced with the, what’s next?, questions all the time. Its natural to start thinking about what’s next, and start adjusting to prepare for the new things coming. But its tricky to do that while one chapter is not quite done yet.
I often find myself thinking about all the potential things that could happen next, but then a realization hit me one morning while sitting in the blue barn, I won’t get the moments back that I am currently living in. God was asking me to stay present in everyday task, not to turn off or coast into final debrief but to come in blazing ready for whatever God has in store for me.
So what does that look like, how do you really capture moments in the present. For me it’s saying yes to conversations, yes to playing one more card game, or one game of mafia that allows us to be present with the people around to engage in a way that is natural and yet unnatural at the same time. Finding time to ask someone to teach you something new, and then laughing at yourself when you don’t get right the first time your try. Allowing the moments with the people around you to shape you as a person.
If you know me, you know that I love to be around people and I really enjoy a good game night. Cards games, board games etc I will most likely say yes to playing, and if there is a group game its even more of a joy for me. During our time in the little blue barn, every evening we made time to be intentional with each other by playing games and or watching a movie together. I found that this allow me to connect with teammates even more then we did on a day to day. With the friendly banter that happens during a heated game of mafia, and the lengthy discussion after a winner emerges from a game of Settlers of Catan. You cant help but to foster a connection with the people around you.
Everyday life with Christ in the center of each of are hearts overflows into a community that comes together in mist of hardship and celebrates with tons of joy in the smallest of victory even if the victory involves a slide.
The biggest lesson the Little Blue Barn taught me is that heart of God is about giving us the desires of our heart. I often think that God has forgotten my request, or maybe He is just not hearing me correctly. Then I am gently proven wrong and my answered prayer appears. This week in the barn has answered a prayer of community and unity on this race. Making the the ending of this chapter even harder to see come to an end.
Many times we go about our days and we get lost in the routine of life. Routine in of itself is not the problem, but when you decided to ignore the little small voice inside you saying stop, or slow down and look, not allowing your day to be interrupted. Even thought we had a schedule with Beth, things would come up or people would come by to visit and plans would often be switched up. When you live life in communion with Jesus, your day is NEVER your own. It’s the spontaneous moments that have made my time not only in the little blue barn but on World Race America so much more meaningful. because the things that happen when I make a choice not to be salty about a interruption, but rather embrace it I find it to have more fruit.
So as you go through life remember, be present in every moment, God will give you the desires of your heart and leave room for the interruption, the spontaneous which could lead to you to very rewarding experience.
I will be heading back to California in less than a week. I am sad to share with you that in the last few days, I had to say goodbye to my Grandpa Jose. My Grandpa was a man of honor and he will be deeply missed. I will be arriving home to hug my grieving family members and help in any sort of way I can.
With that being said, I have just $2,115 left to fund-raise and I would really love to have this all settled before I head home to my family. If you could help me in praying for God’s provision to be ushered in good time, I would greatly appreciate it. Would you please cover my family as we go through a time of grieving the loss of my Grandfather.
Thank you all so much!
I have few more stories to be sharing with you. So stay tuned!
