Letter to self:
Nothing strange about this at all, okay… So indulge me reader, mmmmmkay? lol
With that disclaimer, let’s get to it!
Lauren, listen up, listen to what you have to say, tuck it deep in your heart, so you can pull it out anytime you need.
You haven’t left yet. You are sitting in your warm, cozy, comfortable living room anticipating the journey, anticipating the future, and what’s ahead. The unknown is stirring up such excitement in your sweet comfortable little life, but little do you know that you’re about to get uncomfortable real quick, so enjoy it while you can. There will be a time when you will be worlds away and God will give you a new perspective on life and what uncomfortable really means.
As excited as you are now, there will be moments when you question yourself, question why you’re doing this. I don’t know what scenario or even what country you will find yourself in as these questions arise but be okay with it, be okay with questioning the reason of it all, because the reasoning is so far beyond yourself. God can handle those questions, but don’t sit in it. In a world where we want instant answers, ask him to reveal those answers in his timing and in beautiful and unforeseen ways. God will replace those questions with amazing people he puts in your path, in the daily good you are doing and the answers to prayers, in the beauty that surrounds you worlds away from home and everything you know. In those hilltop moments of the 11 month journey as you seek him, and even in the valley of the dark moments. Be aware, there will be dark moments. It’s not always going to be easy. You will find yourself in the trenches of the front lines of spreading the love and hope of Jesus, and there’s a devil in hell who is not going to like that. But you will be equipped with all the tools necessary to handle it all. The physical, the spiritual, and the emotional.
You will miss your family and friends, oh you will miss them, as you already miss them and haven’t even left yet. But remember they are the ones standing in the gap for you. Praying for you and loving you from afar. They are the ones who have given you the love, support, and the boldness to step out into your calling. They know your heart for the mission, the deepest parts of it, and will be your biggest cheerleaders as they cover you along the journey. You are not alone.
Be confident in who you are. Be confident in this calling. Be confident in what you bring to the table, bring to the group, and know that in Christ Jesus it will always be more than enough. Remember that in those times when you doubt whether you are truly equipped for this. You are. You are MORE THAN ENOUGH. Repeat that if you have to till it settles in your bones. Look up to the heavens in whatever country, province, or village you are in, and remember he’s the same God here in Tennessee as you’re sitting here typing before this incredible adventure has even begun. He’s already gone before you. He’s already seen every step that is perfectly laid out and ordained.
There’s so much to explore. So much to share. So much to learn about yourself. Don’t miss it. Be present. Take in every single day. Every single hour. Every since minute. Every single second. Even in the days of preparation. So much to learn before your foot even hits foreign soil.
For you will blink and the 11 months will be over.
You’ll be a new person.
A Different Lauren.
A better Lauren.
