We have exactly 6 ½ weeks left until our plane lands in America. On one hand, I want to avoid recognizing that this trip is almost over. On the other hand, I want to be home where I can have freedom to my own agenda. I want a comfortable bed and to see the people I miss so much. I am torn because although this year has been full of uncomfortable beds and raggedy clothes, material things mean nothing. This time away from the distracted, rushed and materialistic place I call “home” has allowed me to seek God in a new way. This year, He has taught me so much that may have taken me years in America. It is impossible to live without a job or money there, thus those things take precedence in the daily schedule.
Allowing myself to detach from the demands of America has helped me to take time for myself and to hear from the Lord on what He wants for my life. Some people are called to work and influence people through business but I have come to realize that whatever my future holds, it will not be spent in an office 40 hours per week. I have worked for half of my life and, frankly, I am good at administrative work. But there are more creative ways I think those gifts will be put to use.
I am not told to have it all mapped out with a detailed plan. That would require no trust or reliance on the Lord. All I am told to do is be obedient to follow the steps He places in front of me and trust that He knows that will follow each one. I have a few ideas of what my life could look like after my time at G42 Leadership Academy in Spain. But the whole intention behind going there is to lay out all that God has taught me and given me passion for so that He, with the help of strong global leadership and community, can show me how all of the pieces of the puzzle fit together.
While sometimes the thought of living my life away from Texas, and America, can be scary… I ultimately know that it is what I am meant to do. Since I was young, I have known that I would live overseas long-term, specifically in Western Europe. I cannot explain this feeling other than a deep sense of knowing tit is where I belong. It will literally require me to leave everything I have known to journey to somewhere new. No matter what fears may arise, I am ultimately excited beyond imagination because a lifelong dream is finally coming to pass. Prior to this year I found myself thinking that this dream would never become more than a dream. Now, more than ever, I can clearly see it all unfolding before my eyes and it is so surreal!
I am the first person in my family to move away from Texas and go abroad. I could allow that to hold me back, but instead I see it as an amazing new territory to be discovered! I heard a song recently that brought me to tears. It struck me in the midst of overwhelming fear as I realized the weight of what I am about to do. It came at the perfect time and reminded me that there is so much hope for what is to come simply because I chose to be obedient.
“Pioneer” by Nancy Honeytree
Pioneer, pioneer
Keep pressing onward beyond your fear
Only the Father goes before you to your own frontier
You’re a pioneer
Uncharted wilderness stretches before you
And you thrive on going where no one has gone
Still it gets lonely when darkness rears
So sing by the fire until the dawn
You travel light, and you travel alone
And when you arrive nobody knows
But the Father in heaven, He is glad you can go
For those who come after you will need the road
And what you have done others will do
Bigger and better and faster than you
But you can’t look back; no, you gotta keep pressing through
There’s a wilderness pathway and it’s calling you
Calling you, calling you clear
Keep pressing forward, you can’t stay here…
Only the Father goes before you to your own frontier
You’re a pioneer
If you would like to donate to contribute to funding my trip to G42 Leadership Academy, there are a few ways you can help:
1. Go to http://www.g42leadershipacademy.org/donate and select which type of donation (one-time or recurring) you would like to make. Type in the amount and make sure to type in my name under “Appealed By”
2. Visit my fundraiser at https://onemissionfundraising.com/fundraisers/kingdom-building-reviving-the-vision/
Here, you can purchase items such as wax melts, candles, canvas art, t-shirts, castile soaps, cards and other items for gifts or for yourself! With birthdays, weddings, engagements, babies and Christmas coming up, this is a great way to support a great cause while shopping! 40% of your purchase will be contributed to my fundraiser! You can also make cash donations here if you want to help with airfare and spending costs!
3. If you want to send a direct cash donation to me to help with outside costs, you can do so directly through PayPal. My e-mail is [email protected]
