Before leaving on this trip my Uncle Lee told me some great advice that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. He said, “Kels, when you wake up each morning, talk to God and ask, what is it that you want me to see today, Lord, what is it that you want me taking away from this day?”
As I departed from Atlanta, GA on August 9th, 2016, I could not believe that this day was finally here. A team of 31 warriors boarded Spirit airlines to fly to Ft. Lauderdale, FL where we had a layover and soon after we were on our way to Cartagena, Colombia. This would be my first time out of the country in my 27 years of life with a group of people who had a spirit of Yes and were continuing the pursuit of their Papa. As we took off it dawned on me that I had never flown over a body of water before! I was staring out the window, just like the little boy behind me was, in awe of our Papa’s creation. We flew past the Keys and Cuba, clouds looked as if you could jump on them, and the water was the bluest I have ever seen it. The plane allowed for opportunity to reflect with teammates (my new family) and with my Papa on the journey we were embarking on.
To be honest, I have had a wave of emotions since launch in Atlanta. From excitment that the anticipation of this journey was no longer here to nervousness about serving my team/ squad/ and people of South America well. On the plane I began to reflect on what I wanted out of this trip and how to let the Father strip me of my flesh, make me the REAL Kelsey again, and to learn to live missionally.
ATL- Ask the Lord, was an acronym that kept popping into my head on the flight which I know was not by coincidence and I began to ponder it.
How often do I ask the Lord before I go to others for advice? How often do I ask for His help? How often do I ask him to heal me or others? How often do I ask Him about anything in this life?
For these next 11 months I will ask the Lord:
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To know His love and truest character.
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To find JOY in all things.
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To allow Him to take control and speak truth into my life.
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To help me rediscover my passions by desires He has graciously placed in my heart.
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To show me how to lead by His example, to build up leaders and allow others gifts’ to shine.
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To spread His kingdom through Love and just being me.
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To let me see others through His eyes.
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To teach me how to be “ok” with the unknowns.
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To give me a desire to be better with reading His word and applying it.
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To to help me continue to establish goals, to serve, and go where He tells me to go.
So with that, I challenge each and every one of you to Ask the Lord what He has in store for you today and to be open to what He has to say.
Cheers,
Kels
