Some things that I will miss very much and am giving up (at least temporarily) while abroad next year, in no particular order:
– Family and Friends: all that is going to happen back home while I am living my life abroad. All the happenings in their lives. A friends’ wedding.
– My home church: New Life Christian Center. It has been hard being away these past 4 summers while working my “summer” job. I really do love this house of worship and all the people there. You should work on getting podcasts of the sermons so that I can listen while away.
– Comfy Bed: My heated, queen size waterbed.
– HOT Shower: Hot, clean, running water for everyday use… mainly a shower.
– Food: the variety and quantity.
– Technology: Cell phone, NETFLIX, Unlimited and readily available internet, etc. I will be suspending my cell phone and have limited access to the internet, sometimes for weeks or possibly even months at a time. Just remember, no news is good news.
– My Own Space and Alone time: I will have a two-person tent that I get to cram into with all my belongings (the contents of a large hiking backpack and a normal backpack) for 11 months. I am an introvert and enjoy alone time as that is how I tend to process things and get refreshed/energized.
– Car: Even though I currently don’t own a car, my parents have been gracious enough to let me use one of theirs pretty much whenever needed. Not having the luxury to hop in a car and go wherever I want whenever I want will not be easy.
– Structure and Schedule: I like being in the know and having an outline of what is happening when. For the most part I get to choose what that looks like for me here in the states.
Things I will be gaining while I am abroad next year:
– My M-Squad brothers and sisters. There are 30 of us starting out. Please pray for us. There are links on my blog page to Meet My Squad: M-Squad January 2015 and Meet Me Team: Relentless. Please take some time and explore their blogs as well if you’d like to know more.
– Food: eating what the natives eat. Travelling to Central & South American countries.
– Community: living in close quarters and sharing a lot of things with my team/squad. I have experienced living in community and although at times it can be difficult, it is a really great experience.
– Growing in my experience to be spontaneous and flexible, and to have peace about this. Some days I am expecting there not to be a schedule and just having to roll where the Spirit leads.
– A greater appreciation for all that the Lord has blessed me with. I already know that things are just things and they are temporary and can be replaced. And, if I were really honest, things that I don’t really need.
– A greater dependence on the Lord and on others (my team/squad and ministry-hosts).
– A deeper relationship with God and all He wants to teach me through this journey that He has called me to.
Well folks, there are probably some things that I forgot to mention here on either list but this is at least a good start. I hope you take a minute to reflect on and appreciate all the small (or big) things that the Lord has blessed you with and what a privilege it is to live in the First World.
I have listed a few scriptures below to read and reflect upon:
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
Philippians 4:10-13
“10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
FUNDRAISING UPDATE: In case you missed it! I am currently 83% funded! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!! That is like super crazy and very awesome considering that I was only 35% funded not even a month ago. I owe a huge thanks to my late grandmother, Carolyn Ellis, who gave a large donation. I also owe a huge thank you to my home church, New Life Christian Center, who gave a large donation as well. Thank you hardly seems enough but I pray that the Lord continues to bless you as you have been a blessing to me and so many others in so many ways.
If you have not yet had the privilege of partnering with me prayerfully or financially and would like to, simply click on the “Support Me” tab on the left hand column and follow the instructions there. I still need to raise $2,500.00 to be fully funded and it is my personal goal to have all that money raised before I leave on January 7, 2015, which is less than a month away now. Thank you again!
Keep Lookin’ Up,
Misha
