TWENTY FIVE has been a wild year—dynamic and life changing!
Daughters of the Light (August-December)
Spain, Morocco, Cyprus, Lebanon
Mosaic (December-May)
Jordan, Israel, Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan
Mongolia, Japan, China
China, Tibet, Nepal, India
A year ago this weekend, I spent my birthday in Morocco. I remember watching a gorgeous sunset at Aîn Sebaâ beach wondering what in the world this year would hold. Last week, Y squad traveled from China to Nepal through the gorgeous and mountainous regions of Tibet. I found myself both going down memory lane, smiling with great joy and crying with deep gratitude as I reflect on Ephesians 3:20-21 kind of year it has been. As I reflect on how I’ve experienced Gods power and gentle touch beyond my wildest imagination, thoughts or dreams, I am so thankful.
I had no idea the beautiful people I would meet, walk with and grow from. I had no idea that I would begin to pray for, see and experience miracles. I could have never imagined that God could speak to me as he has—in the mornings, throughout the day, during the night. I could have never imagined the visions I would experience. I didn’t know how much my Father wanted to hold me in his arms as his little girl. I had no idea the beautiful eternal family I belong to, even befor heaven. I had no idea just how much God would show me. About his people, about my role in his kingdom, about the ugly and beautiful within me. I had no idea how much God would grow, heal and shift within my heart. I had no idea how much I was truly loved by my Father in heaven.
I am loved by a God who tenderly calls me baby girl. I am loved by a God who created each country, people group, culture and landscape on this beautiful earth. I had no idea how much of the inheritance I had yet to claim. I had no idea how much my Heavenly Father wanted to declare over my life and speak to me!
I spent my 25th year majorly away from home. Daughters of the Light, Mosaic, Wings of the Dawn & Lost and Found— thank you for showing me eternal home away from home. Thank you for showing me kingdom family and love. Thank you for deeply showing me and choosing the extreme gift of community—one of the most profound extensions of God’s love through his children. Your sister/brotherhood, nurture and love has changed my life and left me feeling so full and loved.
The 25th year of my life certainly has been firey, intense, beautiful and worth everything. Every early morning with the Father, every divine appointment, each nudge to be obedient, each intentional relationship with teammates, each invitation, each tear, each hug—-the fire God has started in my heart will blaze on from this year for decades to come.
God has been tender, powerful and beyond my capacity to receive this year. As I walk into year 26 this weekend, I am so grateful that head knowledge continues to shift to heart knowledge. I enter a new year claiming deeply the promises God has lavished over my life and heart. I desire nothing more than to continue claiming His identity for me and to celebrate this intricate simplicity, mystery and power of knowing my Father. As I walk into year 26, I declare—
I was created to be loved. I have a Heavenly Father who is madly in love with me, beyond my imagination or comprehension. His security, joy and authority mark my heart. And because of his immense love for me, I get to simply live from His overflow. I am welcomed at the banquet table every day! So many of his children come together in rich community over His feast. There are many seats that need to be filled. His arms are open to me all the time, for all things. Prayer is a sacred retreat and place as he shows me more of His heart. The fire that’s continued to blaze and grow in my heart is my sole intent. This year was marked with the Fathers love for me as His beloved, precious and worthy daughter. As I claim those things life has never felt more rewarding or simple. Everyday, I get to dwell in his fulfilling, mysterious and mighty presence. I just get to be a girl who’s madly in love with Jesus!
For the few weeks, one song has been stuck on my heart. The words have long ago been memorized and belted out so many times. In this season with Lost& Found, the words are belived and celebrated. If you haven’t heard this song, check it out at https://youtu.be/TNIMIUtz9OE
My Souls Sings, Maverick City Music
I see your goodness on the mountain
I saw your love down in the valley
And your grace it still surrounds me
Yes God, you’ve been good to me
And my soul sings, my soul sings
With all my heart, I love you Lord
You’re my first love, my reward
And through the years, You’ve been good to me.
I have breath inside my body
I have life inside my bones
And I cannot help but praise you
You’ve been good to me
And my soul sings, my soul sings
With all my heart, I love you Lord
You’re my first love, my reward.
And through the years,
You’ll be so good to me.
Faithful through the ages.
Now I’m dancing on the rising sun,
To the hopeful future
And the dreams to come.
When seasons change, I won’t give up
For you’ve never failed me God
Never, not once
Now I’m dancing on the rising sun!
I see your faithfulness in every step I’ve taken
I’m filled with gratitude, thanksgiving
You’re better than I know,
better than I hoped you’d be
Your goodness surrounds me God
We enter your gates with praise
We enter your courts with thanksgiving
Thank you God, thank you God
I couldn’t dreamed of a better Father
I couldn’t dreams of a better God
I’ve got this joy and it won’t let go
Looked in His eyes it freed my soul
I’ve got this joy and it won’t let go
My soul knows it.
My soul knows it!
