So, here I am, just sitting in my hotel room by myself soaking in praise and worship music feeling all types of emotions. I’m sure you’re not even asking ‘why’ because of the title of this blog…yup it’s that time.
LAUNCH TIME!!!!
There is so much that I could put in this blog that has happened this past week since I left the Vincent/Parkersburg area last Wednesday. This past week has been amazing, God-filled, and incredibly challenging.
My parents and I flew to Atlanta last Wednesday and drove straight to Mississippi to go to a conference in Alabama called The Ramp Summer Conference. If you all have never heard of The Ramp…go look it up right now…or after you read this blog. Seriously. The Holy Ghost’s presence is so craved and welcomed there, it’s so tangible.
I got to spend time with boys who are seriously like my brothers and a beautiful girl who is like my sister. They are a part of Eddie James Ministries and they came to minister at the conference.
I’m going to take this time to give one incredible instance to show the goodness of our God.
Last year around this time, Eddie James came to minister in Parkersburg. I did not go, but my dad and the guys went to see him. All my dad could talk about how awesome Eddie James is, and how our ministry is like a smaller version of his. My dad was so amazed at the testimonies he heard from the people on Eddie’s team.
Fast forward a year later…around a month ago….Eddie James was back in Parkersburg. After the service, he connected with my dad. My dad had one of my soul brothers, David, rap for him. Eddie was blown away and told my dad he would take anyone he knew. So…all of the guys went with Eddie James.
And that’s not all.
A couple weeks after that, Eddie asked my dad to be the director of his ministry under him. The crazy thing? Eddie James’ ministry is based in Atlanta, Georgia…the same place I’m launching out of for the World Race.
So, as my brother and I have started our new seasons in the Lord…so are my parents in the most beautiful way possible.
God is so good you all. So, so, so, so, so good. Please TRUST IN HIS PLAN even if it’s HARD!
After the amazing Ramp conference and my dad and mom got to have awesome meetings with Eddie about what they would be doing, we started our way back to Atlanta on Saturday night.
Sunday…World Race Launch finally began.
It was so nice seeing everyone in T-Squad and R and U squads again. It was awesome that my parents got to hear more about the World Race at parent launch. And it was SO awesome they got to meet my team and some of my friends on my squad.
On all day Sunday I felt the peace of God so strong…it was amazing. And on Monday-Klent..Clent? (sp???)…gave me an awesome prophetic word that confirmed what so many random people have said over my life that can ONLY be God saying those things. It was amazing.
And then the attacks began.
My whole left arm began hurting really bad and my left shoulder was super tense. I was extremely tired and wanted to sleep. I began feeling a little bit of anxiety. When I finally got to lay down…I thought I was going to fall asleep instantly…wrong. My heart, even though it wasn’t, felt like it was beating so fast and I COULD NOT SLEEP. I probably went to sleep after 2:00 AM sometime and woke up at 5:30 AM. Through out today, I was struggling with feeling exhausted and trying to stay focussed in the sessions. Anxiety about not seeing my parents anymore for a year settled in…and it was just feeling a tad bit overwhelming.
Then it was time for praise and worship. I wasn’t that excited honestly, because I was so tired…which is rare for me. I LOVE WORSHIP. But, despite my exhaustion, I got in and gave God the honor He always deserves. And I immediately felt peace and my fears began drowning away. God is just so good.
During praise and worship, He was talking to me about how He knows how it feels like to leave His father. He knows the sacrifice. He knows the pain. He knows what it costs. But He reassured me, all the pain I’m feeling right now is worth it. Jesus was also talking to me about how He is all around us and not just in a “invisible spiritual” sense but that if I am around a person who has a relationship with Jesus….He is there in that person. So, in my squad of 49…I am surrounded by Him.
I am already being so stretched in my faith with Jesus that it’s difficult but SO AMAZING.
So, in 4 hours from now, I will be meeting with the rest of my squad to start shuttling to the airport. At 8 am, we fly to Chicago…then Chicago to India.
My team and I will be in Hyderabad, India for our first month doing ministry at a school of worship. Our host wants us to make a documentary, preach, teach and teach English.
I will update you all with a blog about it next week when I’ve been able to experience it more.
I am incredibly excited and feel so humbled to be doing this all.
Please continue praying for all three squads as we launch.
Guys, this just got real…it’s my last full day in America until 11 months from now!! And I’m so sorry if this blog was a bunch of ramblings because I’m running on hardly any sleep at all! lol!
Love,
Meraia
Philippians 4:4-9
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is in any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me-practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
