Dear youth,
I’m coming home. It’s been nearly a year since I last saw you guys…yet rarely has there been a day that you haven’t been on my heart. One of the great things about prayer, is that God hears it no matter where in the world you are, literally. Trust me when I say, that I have been praying for you. That has not stopped and it will not stop. I am beyond excited to see you all. Ask anyone on my team, your names come up lots!! I’m excited for the trips to the Bean, Johnny Java’s, Starbucks and the many walks and talks around A-town that will happen oh so soon!! (Be warned that, for those who have offered to pay, I may just take you up on that!! Goodness knows traveling isn’t cheap!!) I am excited to final look you in the eyes and ask, “what has God done in your life these past 11 months? Where have you seen Jesus and what have you been learning about who He is?” Let’s not forget my normal “Nikki” question of, “who are you?” Ya’ll know it’s coming so don’t say I didn’t warn you!!! My offer still stands and it remains the same, I am not going to force you to answer anything, but if you do choose to answer, I am expecting raw and honest replies.
Speaking of being honest, I’ll be honest with you. I am scared to come home. I am scared of the “expectation” I feel I have placed upon myself. The expectation that things “will be the same” when it has almost been a year and I know that life at home moves on. I know Y’all have grown and change just as much as I have. Part of me fears that I won’t be able to “connect” with you, the way I have been able to in the past. That things won’t be “as they were”. Grace. I know grace will have to be given, and shown, on each side. I also know, that together, we can/will do it.
That being said, I also want you to know that, at the core of who I am…I am still me. I am still the same person as I was when I left. I still love my frappes from the Bean and Johnny’s. I still love my chocolate chip cookie dough from The Hut. My apartment will still be colourful and I am planning on being back with you guys for this next youth year, Lord willing. God is STILL the centre of my life- that won’t ever change. Traveling the world has not changed that. Rather, it has strengthened it and has given me an even deeper drive for you, and the world. My desire for you, is to fully KNOW our Creator. If you thought I talked about God a lot before I left, get used to it as I can guarantee you that, God will be coming up a whole lot more!
However, Instead of always simply talking about God, my prayer is that you will ultimately be able to SEE God in my actions and in my life. If my actions don’t line up with my words, I want you to know that you have the freedom to approach and challenge me on it. Cause you do. My prayer is that, together we will be able to sharpen and strengthen each other for God’s Kingdom. That is what the church is called to do. To build up, encourage, disciple, support, and love each other. In turn, God maybe calling you to be sent out to reach the Nations for His Glory.
To my grade 12 “girls”
I miss you guys. A lot.
I know your senior year of high school hasn’t been easy. Even before you walked into the halls of Miller on that first day in September, you had to learn how to deal with the death of a best friend, sister, and a peer. My heart breaks for you. The prayers specifically for you, have not stopped since early August 2013. You have been forced to learn how to grieve and mourn Janelle’s passing. Yet you’ve also learned how to rejoice in the fact she is very much alive and well in Heaven with Jesus.
I know that, for a few of you specifically, she will be very close on your hearts when you walk across that stage June 26 to receive your diplomas. The memories you have of her, carry them with you. Use them to encourage and build you up. To challenge yourselves to be a better person and live a life that she would want you to live. Although I didn’t know her that well, my heart grieved alongside yours while I was in Serbia. I always loved having her in our small group at youth. Her love for you guys, her friends and, ultimately, Jesus, was so clear and evident. It was truly a blessing.
I am proud of you ladies. Thank you for allowing me (and continuing to allow me) to walk alongside you in this journey called life. I am stoked to be able to be at your grad come June! There is no way I would miss that!! I’ll be rooting for ya!! I’m excited for the times that lay ahead still. I’ll be around most of the summer, with a schedule that is pretty open. I want you to know that I am here for you. Anytime.
Matthew 5 talks about being the salt and light here in the world. It’s a passage that God has been speaking to me through, a lot during my last month. Although my World Race is ending in a few short weeks, my journey with Jesus is not. Neither is yours.
I want to encourage you all to continue to be the Salt and Light right where you are. At Miller in the halls, at home with your families, with your friends, and at your jobs. Believe that God is using this time now, to mould you and shape you. Having a living relationship with Jesus, isn’t boring. And it’s NOT dull. It really is fun and adventurous and it WILL change your life. Trust me on that. The adventure doesn’t start when you graduate and leave Altona. The adventure is happening right now.
Miss you guys!!
