This is my first official blog! YAY!
I have to share that for the past few hours, as I sat down to begin the blogging process, I was a little overwhelmed because I have never blogged before. Once I read through all the instructions and asked the right questions, I found out that it's actually pretty easy!
I want to lay out my story, so this one will be a little long……
This past year has been an interesting journey as God was apparently preparing me for The World Race. Of course I didn't know that at the time, so when life got chaotic my constant question was "Whoa God…what is going on?" I was ready to go on an adventure around this time last summer when I finally allowed God to break down walls and teach me more about myself. As I learned about who I was and what my real passions were, I knew it was time for…CHANGE! I know that word scares some people, but I was more than happy for change to sweep through my life. Well…apparently when I was ready for that change, God had other plans…Go figure! So, I went into my 5th year of teaching, not too happy about another 9 months of teaching middle school French.
Low and behold…God began to use me in my school as a light to some co-workers and students who apparently really needed it that year. It's funny how we forget to, oh I don't know, TRUST God! He tells me that constantly and I still forget from time to time. No need to worry though…as the year developed, I realized how he wanted to use me at the school in ways that I couldn't have even imagined. It wasn't the easiest year because I continued to fight with God every now and then about what I wanted to be doing, which was anything other than teaching for "one more year". The great thing about being a teacher though is your "year" ends in 9 months, so come May, I was prepared for the change…
I had already applied for a missions opportunity in the fall and so I was waiting to hear back about where and when I would be serving. The problem was that they weren't getting many responses from the churches in Europe, where I had applied, and so come May, I still wasn't sure if I'd be teaching another year or being a missionary for a year. Hmmm….well the crazy thing is I AGAIN didn't trust God when it came time to sign my contract. Instead of following my heart and just resigning, I signed the contract so I would have "job security". Well the security thing is great and all, and I do respect the advice I got from my family, but I knew it was time to move on. So after a weekend of prayer and conversations with a close friend and my stepmom, I knew what I had to do come Monday morning!
On May 16, 2011……..I resigned from my job! GASP…I know! But man what a rush it was to take that Leap of Faith and KNOW that God is totally in control. I didn't know where I was going or what I was doing, but I did know that God had something cool planned. The summer started busy as ever and I went through a roller coaster of emotions that involved crying, panicking, laughing, worrying, more crying, maybe a little more worry, and of course lots of questions to my loving God! Even though I was finally free of my job, I felt that I needed to know right away what the plans were for the "future". I learned to be VERY patient through the month of June.
One night (end of June), I was sitting at home, chatting with my brother and he brought up The World Race. One of our cousin's new husbands cousin (confusing I know) was currently doing the race. So, I immediately googled The World Race and BHAM! just like that…I found the adventure I had been searching for all this time. Within a week of applying, I got accepted! Oh and in the same week, I finally heard back from the other missions opportunity, but I knew God was calling me to a completely different type of mission.
God has changed my heart in more ways than I can express! I have learned to love Him more, trust Him more, and be in His constant presence. It's beautiful to be in such a close relationship with Christ and know that He's "got my back" in all situations. I am nervous and excited about this race…and I look forward to the journey that lies ahead…so HERE WE GO!!!
