It’s almost a new year and that always is cause for reflection. 2011 was amazing and difficult all at the same time. I got the opportunity to see so many things and experiance other cultures. Few people in the world get to experiance the world and cultures; Not just cultures but the real stuff. I got to live life with people in their culture and see God in them. As I write this my mind is flooded with memories from each country. From washing my clothes in the river in the Philippines to playing in a bar in a highly sex trafficed street in Thailand to building houses in Romania…and lets not forget the flash mob! I’m honored and blessed. All these memories make me feel like a kid in a candy shop. The world is the candy shop and God says ‘Here ya go, babe!”
I love the apostle Paul. I think he got to be that kid in some instances. I think Paul encountered the Lord and couldn’t say ‘no’ to the opportunity at hand. Yeah, I bet there were times he was rethinking his choices but overall he got to experiance what most people didn’t get to in his day. Paul became one of the most influential people in Christianity. Because of his choices he changed things. Even before he was converted he was a man of power; he ordered the persecution of many christians in his day. Him choosing to deny himself and give up all he had changed things as well. He sets the example for us today. I’m a firm believer that our past shapes us in negative and positive ways, even the history of people before us shapes us. I am forever changed by my travels and the things God did. And with that comes more choices….
My time in Kenya these last three months has been crazy but so good. I saw God show up in tangible ways and change people. Through the team he changed their paradiam; they see life through a different lense now. He used them to change a piece of the world; the people in the Massai tribe, the Pokot tribe, the IDP camps, and the people in Kijiabe. Not only did the team change people but they were changed themselves. Now we’ve all been home, adjusting to new life and ways of the western world. I’ve spent the last three weeks traveling on the East coast visiting friends and family. In that time I’ve thought a lot about what is my calling. I think God wants me state side for now but to do what? I thought through the difference between calling and choices. I think inevitably I am called but maybe not how I think I’m called. When I think called I think of this process I have to go through to get to an end…the end is the calling. I think at the end of the day the process is where I’m called. The process is filled with choices; differant candies. You can choose the same candies or you can choose to change it up. I think either way, if you aren’t being disobediant to the Lord he blesses it. After traveling the world for a year and three months I know I can do anything. I like the adventure of trying new candies. 
My new candy is Texas. A new year and a new state…and new people.
I hope this new year you taste new candy.. The world has so much to offer; state side and overseas. Here’s to 2011 and abundant blessings in 2012!
Where ever you are this new year `make the most of it. Go love people and as the Apostle’s creed says:
“Your kingdom come, thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven”.
