My life has recently taken a turn that I never could have anticipated. Really “turn” isn’t the right word to use. More like corkscrew roller-coaster ride into complete trust in God. God has taken away every security blanket that I’ve held onto for the last two years. I have recently moved to an entirely new place(from Ohio to Virginia), have immersed myself in a new culture of people, and watched desperately as my plans for the future were derailed.
This time last year I had all of these nice little tidy plans for my future. You know where I envisioned myself being by now? On a boat. A big boat. With the Navy.
I think its obvious that I am not on a boat, sailing the world as a journalist for the Navy, having the military pay for my college. Nope, instead I am working full time as a barista & waitress, paying for my spring semester in college, and being called by God to join the mission field.
(everyone says whaaat?)
Yeah thats what I was saying too until about two weeks ago. You see God is doing this incredible, amazing, life altering thing- He’s flipping all of my plans upside down and replacing them with His perfect plan and perspective. When all of my plans were unraveling this summer it was really hard for me to find God in the middle of it- instead I tried to figure out how to make as many things work according to my plan as I could. Like how to keep all of the friends I’d had since elementary school even though we were all in different states, or how to work in the Navy even though my shipping papers hadn’t arrived on time for my ship date and I lost my contract, or how to take college classes without shouldering any debt.
While all of these things were rumbling around tumultuously in my heart and mind God was teaching me a lesson. Sometimes you have to lay down whats good to get whats best. And let me tell you- my comforting, strengthening, all-powerful God sure knows whats best. God’s vision for my life is greater than I ever could have imagined! It is through Him that I have been called to proclaim the gospel and it is through His guidance that I have been called to join with Adventure in Missions to spread the gospel and love of God to His people in Costa Rica, South Africa, Thailand, and Myanmar for nine months starting in September of 2018.
I currently have a growing group of friends here in Virginia that are praying for me as I begin this journey with God and my squad mates. My hope and prayer is that you will also join me in encouragement, prayer, and support as I follow the calling that God has placed on my heart. It is through God’s providence that I will be able to go on this trip and I have full faith that He will provide. Thank you so much in advance for all of your encouragement and support! I can’t wait to see what God does next.
