In spending time with the Lord today, He has been teaching me about the value and comfort of His presence. His love is abundant and unconditional – He is full of joy and comfort – He wraps His arms around me in times of need and reminds me He is near – He says I am His and He is mine – He keeps His promises and is forever faithful – He never changes yet is always on the move – He is active around this world and in our personal lives.
In dance class today, we spent time reflecting over this past semester to share a word of how this semester has been. As I thought about this final semester, the changes, the adjustments, and the experiences, I couldn’t help but see the theme of simplicity appear. God has continued to call me to simplify.
He has taught me the beauty of quality over quantity. In time, He has called me away from previous commitments and brought about a new sense of time – learning to be present in each moment. In community, I continue to get to know people across various areas on campus, but I’ve seen how valuable it is to deepen relationships and really let people in. I’ve been so grateful for the times I’ve had at Messiah College to feel at home and such sense of belonging. I’ve also learned to simplify with materials. I’ve been used to a double room as an RA for the last two years, and I have experienced so much freedom in simplifying in this area. I’ve enjoyed such joy and comfort from living with one of my best friends.
God has provided in so many ways this semester after coming off of a summer of exploration – seeking Him in quiet times, reading a lot of the Old Testament, living and working in Lititz, releasing bitterness, and allowing my mind to be transformed. God has given me a new sense of time and value in taking life one day at a time – teaching me to look up and admire the beauty around me – to see the story in each person – to be present with people – and to appreciate the time I do have with where I’m at.
As I transition into this new season of life as a missionary, I’m excited for what’s next but also don’t know how to feel. I’m eager and curious for what the Lord has ahead, but I wouldn’t be honest if I didn’t share my nervousness. It is challenging to anticipate the change to come – especially graduating college, saying goodbyes, and having classmates continue until May – and then coming back next year to everyone graduated and moved on in some ways with what is next.
I’m so grateful for my time at Messiah College – for the growth and experiences. I’m excited to continue to live a life of service, leadership, and reconciliation as our mission statement says. God has truly blessed this experience and taught me so much about who He is, His creation, and who He has created me to be. I started out a math major with secondary education teaching certificate, ended up a Human Development and Family Science major with a business minor, and soon headed out to be a missionary with Adventures in Missions. Wow! God is so good. He has been the light in each next step, and I’m so thankful for the journey I’ve had up to this point.
Thank you all for your generosity in giving and supporting me in this journey of preparing for missions in 2019! I’m so grateful for the support and partnerships made so far and continuing to share how God is moving. God is so good! I’ve reached my fundraising deadline for December and continuing to move towards being fully funded by mid-spring. Upcoming fundraisers include a go-rings partnership for the month of December (more info to come!) and having a table at the Messiah College SAB flea market this Sunday 4-6pm! Feel free to come check it out- continuing to simplify and have some really great decorations, clothes, and jewelry to sell.
