I used to want to be a baker. I dreamed of having my own little pastry shop (Kiki’s Cakes) and always smelling like cinnamon rolls. Everything was planned out. I went to a vocational for high school and got a full ride scholarship for a spot in the Pastry Arts program at Cincinnati State. My life was set before the summer even started.
Then God ruined all my plans. That June before I started college I went to a Conference down in Orange Beach Alabama with my youth group. Everything was great until the second to last night when the worship leader made a shout out to all the Apostles in the room and asked everyone who felt God tugging on their heart to “Go” to stand up.
I shot to my feet before my head could catch up with my heart. My process of thought went something like, “Yes, God, send me! …oh wait, crap….what about being a baker?!” I wrestled back and forth for the rest of the trip but gradually settled into a state of denial. I got the notion I could do both.
Throughout the summer I started stepping up and taking on more responsibility at church. I moved up to be a teacher in the Children’s Ministry and Captain in the youth Cafe (I was technically called an “intern” because I wasn’t a director level but sort of a co-director).
Finally though God called me out and asked if I was in or out of what he wanted for me. A couple friends of mine decided to start up a church plant emphasizing God’s creativity and reaching the lost in creative methods. We would call it The Creative Church. I took me all of 3 seconds to know this was were God was leading me and I couldn’t kid myself anymore about working Bakery Hours AND ministry hours (they’re on complete opposite schedules).
So I switched to a Management degree at the end of my 1st semester and jumped into becoming the Children’s Director/ lots of other hats girl. It’s been a wonderful 2+ years with lots of hard, silent seasons and just as many times of enriching moments led by the spirit.
Then this last February I felt like God’s call to “go” was getting a little stronger. I was unsettled and itching to figure out what he was up to. I started researching different missions options here and overseas. Then in March I distinctly heard God say, “I want you to leave your home for me.”
Then I really started hunting. I stepped down from my positions at The Creative Church (although I still attend) so that I could focus on finding whatever it was God wanted me to do. I visited other churches, contacted different international missions organizations for info, etc. I was leaning toward Japan but wasn’t finding many options.
In the end God placed what he wanted for me right in my lap. I was reading a friend’s post on Facebook, which led me to someone’s blog, which led me to a post that mentioned The World Race. My attention was caught the moment I saw that name. I went to the site and discovered this September there is an All-Asia route (which is amazing in so many ways). And what do you know there were 3 days before applications closed.
I jumped on the opportunity like a cat on a mouse. There were some delays and just a couple days ago I didn’t think I was going to be accepted for this trip. Then Thursday morning I talked with Andrew, an Admissions Rep, and we deduced that it would work out. He had all the info and such emailed to me and pretty much said, “If you can get to training by 4pm Saturday you can come…You’re accepted to September 2014 route 1!”
I don’t know how it’s all managed to work out but I love how God always pulls through. Even with all my doubting the past 48 hours, he’s made it happen and I think I’m decently prepared (minus the fact I’m a little behind on the fundraising end- but he’ll help take care of that when I get back :p ).
In the end God is always in control and he is always good and his will will be done one way or another. I’m just happy to be along for the ride. 🙂
And that’s how I got here. Let’s see what happens next!
