As I am en route to Guatemala rather than have a pitty party I am trying to stay positive. This is proving difficult mostly because situations that are out of my control. I have a feeling I may be looking back at this particular moment in time and be more than willing to trade it back for the luxuries of air condition, tv, cushion seats, snacks, access to electronics, free headphones, a blanket, flight attendants that speak English, flying rather than driving, there are plenty of things to be thankful for! (I list these more for my own sanity as for anything)
It has been amazing to see how faithful the Lord has been already in my trip. Believe it or not going on this 11month “missions trip” is a little bit out of my comfort zone. But the Lord has come through time and time again already and reassured me that this is exactly where I am suppose to be, I truly believe I am at the center of his will.
On Wednesday my dad drove me to the Raleigh Durham Airport. Leading up to this point was a whirlwind, there was always something to be done (did I get it all done? I don’t know…) so I was able to stay extremely busy and not have to sit and process everything that was about to take place in my life. As I started slowing down the morning of the realization of exactly what I had signed myself up for started to dawn on me. As we drove to the airport and as I was on my first flight I had the feeling that I was watching someone else life run out in front of me. As I sat thoughts of inadequacy, fear, and doubt started to run through my head I started getting overwhelmed.
After my first flight I had a 2 hour lay-over in “The Music City” where I recognized the YoungLife area director from Chapel Hill, Crock. Turns out he was on his way to Los Angeles for a wedding, and we were on the same flight. Word? I’ll admit I said a little prayer that I would be able sit with him on our next flight. Sure enough even though I was the last person on the plane, there was a seat right next to none other than Crock. I know no one wants to sit next to someone who is 6’5″ with shoulders wider than the seat they are sitting in on a 5 hour flight. And even as he pretended to be asleep, if we’re being real, there was no other seat I was going to sit in. I needed something at least vaguely familiar to keep my sanity. I know that the Lord had us on the same flight, he used Crock to speak truth into my life and challenge me at a point when I really needed it. The Lord is good and he is faithful to provide for his children! This is just one of many times the Lord has revealed himself to me and kindly reminded me that he is still God. He loves and adores me and he wants only the best for me.
I still don’t know if I know what I’ve gotten myself into, but I do know that there is nowhere else I would rather be! I am ready to experience God in new ways, to have my views and knowledge of him expanded, to be his hands and feet, and to serve in his name.
In other news, LA is a different world. I’ve never seen anything like it! I’m really grateful to Phillip and his roommates for letting me crash on their couch for 2 nights. They are doing some big things starting out their careers and I wish them all the best.
Please, please, please continue to pray for me!
Some more updates to come I promise!
You can also check out the presentation I made before I left:
http://prezi.com/ddbvf5k5ey6c/the-world-race/
