I know that there are tons of people out there who say this and there are many that don’t but here’s what’s on my mind. I’m so blessed with the family the Lord has given me. I have a mom that truly knows how to love unconditionally and a sister who (despite our differences) has a way bigger heart than she thinks. I wouldn’t trade them for the world. These first (almost) three months have been hard without them. Having an absence of someone that loves you whole-heartedly is obvious after a while. My relationship with my mom is so special. She’s my best friend. We can sit and talk for hours about nothing just because we love being together.
I’ve gotten sick a couple times since being here and realized through the sickness that it was more of a spiritual attack than anything else. Whenever I get sick all I want is my mom to be there and take care of me. This past time I was sick I was exhausted with a rash covering my entire body, trying to get hydrated but in and out of sleep. While I was sleeping I felt someone kiss my cheek and rub my head just like my mom would. It was so vivid that it woke me up and no one was there. It comforted me so much.
This trip has been one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do but one of the best times in my life. I’m so incredibly blessed with the family I have at home, I could go on forever about it but the family I have here now is so special. I love each and every one of them so much. We’ve had some hard times together so far but I know at the end of the day they’ll be there for me. God’s always got a plan and a lot of the time you’ve just gotta move when He says move, not knowing where your feet take you. God has this intense love for us; our vocabulary can’t give it justice. He just asks that we trust Him and His plan. Each of us went out on a limb, not knowing every little detail and decided to go on this trip and He’s been with us every step of the way.
The great thing about our Father is that He’ll never hurt us. We’re His children. He tells us, you are worthy. You are perfect. You are seen. You are wanted. You are wonderfully made. You are all His. Love Him, trust Him, follow Him because despite all of our differences here He can turn us all into one big family. I can’t tell you how or why all of us work so well together. He’s definitely got a sense of humor. He put seven different people from all over the U.S. on a team together and connected us through Him because in the end all we need is Him and we’ll have everything. Live each and every day for Him.
My wonderful family here:
Tara: a very intelligent, quirky, cherishing, and vulnerable girl from Colorado.
Jenna: a sweet, funny, strong, and independent girl from Arizona.
Ryann: a tough, caring, dorky, and loving guy from Michigan.
Brady: a passionate, brilliant, enjoyable, and articulate guy from Texas.
Ethan: a wise, humble, gifted, and powerful guy from North Carolina.
Clayton: a good-hearted, observant, lovable, and well-spoken guy from North Carolina.
Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful: it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
