“…and step by step, You’ll lead me, and I will follow You all of my days.”
Last week, I was sitting in a small coffee shop in Siem Reap, Cambodia attempting (but desperately failing) to write a blog. Writer’s block took its course, and I found myself scrolling through my Facebook feed. The normal engagement/ birthday announcements, graduation photos, and political rant statuses came up, but a particular video caught my eye – a testimonial video for IHOP Atlanta. I clicked on it and watched as the girl shared her heart for the prayer room and the importance of sitting at the feet of Jesus. And then, something gripped me.
My lips were trembling and I wiped away tears. A tangible peace filled my heart like a cloud that was expanding with each breath I took in. At that moment – I just knew.
I’m going to apply for this internship at the International House of Prayer in Atlanta, Georgia.
I quickly opened another Safari tab on my iPad and searched for more information on IHOP and the start date of the internship. The Lord told me I would be doing PSL (Project Search Light) with Adventures In Missions August 22-27th as a closure to my time on the World Race. The start date of the IHOP internship is August 28th, the DAY after PSL ends. HOW CRAZY IS THAT?! And IHOP Atlanta and AIM are only 30minutes away from eachother.
Things seemed to be lining up perfectly, and the cloud of peace was taking over my entire body.
Then I remembered Labor Day weekend. I made a promise to my mom that I would spend that weekend with her. She will be out of town on business when I return to the States, and her work schedule gives us little time to spend with eachother. She set aside that weekend for just the two of us to escape and be with one another – for the first time in almost a year.
((Pic: Last year’s Labor Day Mother/Daughter Retreat Weekend))
My parents have been my biggest supporters of my Race and have cheered me on since day one. Honoring them for their investment in me was going to be my highest priority when I returned home. But the internship started a week before Labor Day weekend. My stomach dropped, and I prayed with a heavy heart.
“God, I want nothing more than to follow You, wherever You may lead me. I really feel like this is Your will. But God, I want to honor my mom and this commitment I’ve made to her. If it is your will for me to do the internship, please allow them to give me this weekend with her. If they say no, I will not do the internship. You said to ‘Honor your father and mother’, and this is the best way I know how. Honoring them is my highest priority. Lord, You know my heart. Please lead me in the way I should go.”
After telling my team and parents about the internship, I sent one of the internship coordinators my request about Labor Day weekend, knowing that their reply would determine whether I would apply for the internship or not. At the same time, I sent one of my mentor-couples, Karen and Doug, a Facebook message about the internship and asked them to be in prayer about what the Lord is saying about it and what they feel is the right move. I trust their discernment and guidance with my whole heart.
I kept both the messages short and sweet – and waited for the replies.
The next night, I ran toward Sandra with my iPad in my hand as I jumped up and down with a huge grin spread across my face. The internship coordinators sent me a reply! If I was to do the internship this Fall, I had full permission to spend Labor Day weekend in Florida with my mom! She rejoiced with me, and as I told my team one-by-one, they rejoiced with me as well.
Okay, Jesus. We’re really doing this thing.
I checked my Facebook messenger and found a reply from Karen. As she prayed about the internship, she encouraged me to make spending time with my parents my “highest priority” and gave examples of possibly holidays or weekends with them, to thank them for their investment in me. I DID NOT TALK WITH HER ABOUT ANY OF THIS. She had no idea that I prayed about that very thing, word for word. I felt like Jesus was just showering me with peace and confirmation.
This is it. This is the next step.
And with a heart-so-filled-with-joy-it-could-burst, I’m THRILLED to announce that I will be applying to the 3 Month IHOP Atlanta Internship in Georgia, THIS Fall, August 28th-November 19th!
This was not in my plan whatsoever. I have been excited to get back to the States to find a job and pour back into the lives of those that have so generously invested in me, but the Lord asked me to put down the reins and trust Him to provide, yet again.
The internship is $900 for 3 months, plus an additional $900 to live in the community housing. Any sort of fundraising seems like a daunting task, but Jesus reminded me that He fed five thousand men with a few loaves of bread and two fish – and He did it TWICE.
He provided almost $17,000 for me to go on this World Race journey. He used the faithfulness and generosity of those willing to say “yes” to Him and His purpose to provide for me to step out in obedience to Him. Now, I’m in need of less than $2,000 to walk out this next step. I have absolutely no way of accomplishing this on my own, but He’s been speaking to my heart and saying “Daughter, just say yes and watch Me provide.” (Just watch someone hand me a check for the whole amount LOL)
This doesn’t make sense to me, to be honest. I don’t know why the Prayer Room is where He wants me for this next season. But I know that I’ve always been able to trust Him and trust His voice, even when His plan doesn’t make sense to me.
We will see His faithfulness, friends. I’m inviting you on this journey of faith WITH me, so that we may rejoice together when we see His plan made known! Thanks for joining me. I will keep you updated. If you are interested in investing in me this next season, just go to PayPal.com and donate to my email [email protected].
**** AS I WAS WRITING THIS LAST PART OF MY BLOG, I went to check my paypal account for information, and someone just donated the amount I needed for the Internship Application Fee!!!!! Needless to say, I started crying and ran to tell all my teammates.
Jesus is so so good.
This is going to be a wild ride, and I’m so glad to share it with you.
