Over the past year and a half I have traveled to fifteen different countries, lived in numerous places, met more new people than I can count, tried new foods, and immersed myself in different cultures. My life has been a revolving door over the past year and a half and things are constantly changing. Sometimes it can be extremely exciting. I live for the adventure and the constant newness. I love traveling and meeting new faces. Other times it can be exhausting. Always being on the go and never staying in one place for more than three weeks can really start to take a toll on you.
However, throughout all of this I have realized one thing. Amidst all of the chaos of my ever-changing life, God remains the same. Jesus has been my constant throughout this whole journey and that is honestly what got me through the past year and a half.
This is a prayer I wrote in my journal a few weeks back as I was struggling with things always changing: “Yahweh you are my constant. When everything around me is changing, you stay the same. When friendships change and people come and go into my life, you remain. You are my rock. You are steadfast and I know that you are always there for me. I pray that I will always put my hope in you. I pray that I will live my life knowing and believing that you are enough. Jesus you are more than enough for me.”
It is easy for me to get deeply invested in friendships and the people around me, so when I have to say goodbye or when that friendship changes it can be extremely difficult. However, one thing that I have learned is that even though having to say goodbye and watch things come and go into our lives can be painful at times, it is worth it to have so many wonderful people and experiences that you have to say goodbye to.
I want to always pour 100% of myself into whatever opportunity, relationship, etc. that God has placed in front of me in the moment. Loving the people who are right in front of you doesn’t mean that you love your other friends or family who aren’t with you any less. I just don’t want to miss who or what is right in front of me because I am grieving what was or hoping for what the future will be.
My life is slowing down a bit as I am now back in America and don’t have any plans of leaving the country any time soon. I will actually be in one place for longer than three weeks (which is equally terrifying and comforting ). I had to say goodbye to W squad and all of the new friends I made as they are finishing out their eleven months on the field. I am about to meet a whole new group of people this January when I start a discipleship program called CGA in Gainesville, GA (the place I will now be calling home for the next 5 months).
So while my life may look different during different seasons, I know one thing that is true and that will never change. That truth is that I am never alone and Jesus is with me always. I can put my hope and my trust in God even when everything around me is changing because God is my rock and my refuge and he will never ever leave me.
I am so appreciative of everyone who has stuck with me during this wild journey I’ve been on this past year and a half. Continued prayers and support are much needed as I am about to start CGA. I would love for all of you to continue to follow my journey and watch how God is radically transforming my heart and my life.
