How soon until you leave?
Are you excited?
Are you nervous?
Are you packed?
Are you READY?!
Nearly every day now, I hear and attempt to answer these questions. In short… I don’t really know. I get super excited… in spurts. Like tonight, I was jumping up and down at the thought of possible cities we will get to visit during layovers. I also get nervous in spurts. Like… I have no idea if I even have everything I need to go, which goes along with the next question, am I packed? Well, no… I am still asking the question myself, “how does one pack for 11 months?” I think I have all the necessities somewhere in this messy room, but I still need to put it all together and pray that everything fits in my bags.
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
Matthew 4:19-20
So, am I ready for this adventure?! Am I ready to leave everything I know and follow the calling of the Lord, to step out in faith and trust that He will provide for where I am lacking. Am I ready to delve into community with 47 *amazing* friends I just met this year? Am I ready to leave my comforts, my income, my friends, my family all for the sake of Christ?! I say YES! Just as we used to yell in a game of hide-and-seek,
“READY OR NOT, HERE I COME!”
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.
Matthew 16:24-25
As I said to a few friends just this morning at church, I don’t know physically if I’ll have everything done or remember to pack everything I may need. But, whether I’m ready or not, I AM going in just 11 days and I’m excited to share the testimonies of how God will provide what I need, because ya know this girl will probably forget something.
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
So, in the next 11 days, I am going to do my best to spend as much time with my family as I can, especially since I’ve been so swamped lately (or since birth). However, I also know that I still need to meet with a few friends to deliver calendars/shirts (and I still have some left if you are interested!), pack my bags, get the last of paperwork/insurance ready, and say the last of my goodbyes. And of course, I can’t forget about Christmas, my brother’s birthday, New Years, and my birthday all before the 3rd of January! My goodness… just typing this out is making my head spin again. BUT I shall rejoice in the Lord, and again I say REJOICE!
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:4-7
In conclusion, in just 11 short days, I will be on my way for the next 11 months to journey to 11 different countries and share the love of Christ, make disciples of all nations, and follow Jesus!
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20
Also.. MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR to all my subscribers!
