There have been some major changes in my life lately– it’s kind of overwhelming!
I
just moved back to the DFW area on Saturday. After that I designed and launched a new blog site (shameless plug: chasethelightwithme.com) interviewed for a new job, designed t-shirts, started the monumental task of fundraising… All in preparation for this crazy new journey ahead.
just moved back to the DFW area on Saturday. After that I designed and launched a new blog site (shameless plug: chasethelightwithme.com) interviewed for a new job, designed t-shirts, started the monumental task of fundraising… All in preparation for this crazy new journey ahead.
And let me tell you, I am SO excited about it!
I am excited to get to just love on people who don’t get
love that often. I’m excited to see the power of the Lord revealed in ways
I’ve never witnessed before. I’m excited to be used in any way
possible to further His Kingdom. I’m excited to shake loose the chains of materialism to live out of a backpack for 11 months. I’m excited to get to work in orphanages, to partner with churches, to build and improve,
to teach, to learn, to pray, to love…the list goes on and on!
love that often. I’m excited to see the power of the Lord revealed in ways
I’ve never witnessed before. I’m excited to be used in any way
possible to further His Kingdom. I’m excited to shake loose the chains of materialism to live out of a backpack for 11 months. I’m excited to get to work in orphanages, to partner with churches, to build and improve,
to teach, to learn, to pray, to love…the list goes on and on!
And on the other side of that, as a confession, I’m also afraid. I’m afraid of leaving the comfort of home for so long, I’m afraid of not getting enough money and not being able to go. I’m afraid of the language barriers. I’m afraid of how much my nieces and nephews are going to grow when I’m gone. I’m afraid of getting sick. I’m afraid of people who will scoff at me and what I’m doing, both here and overseas. I’m afraid of how my relationships here will be affected by being away so long. I’m afraid of being so homesick for my family that I just want to come home. I’m afraid.
BUT (this, as my youth pastor used to call it, is one of those “big buts”) I am not alone.
The Lord is my Shepherd,
I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
for His name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for You are with me.
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You have anointed my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and loving kindness will follow me all the days of my life.
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
I’ve heard it a thousand times, but it has a whole new meaning for me this time. I thought about writing a big thing about “taking a leap of faith” and how I just have to trust– but this Psalm says it all. He is in control; He is my Shepherd.
So my expectations for this trip? I’m expecting to learn to rely on the Lord in a way that I’ve never experienced. I expect to hit rock bottom over and over, only to find out that that is where He shows up to carry me through. I expect to truly learn and experience the power of prayer. I expect to be broken and rebuilt by the Creator.
I expect that He will blow my expectations out of the water.
