Ever since my schooling career began, I was ready for college. Then, against my plans, the Lord shared with me that he wanted me to go on the World Race. As I shared this with my friends and family, they were shocked. This was so far from anything I would ever choose on my own, but it was, and continues to be more and more obvious that the Lord had bigger plans for me that college this year. He had so much he wanted to teach me, so many things he wanted to mold me into being, so many people he wanted to place in my life, so many things to place before me that I would have never faced in college. He had a faith for me that was my own, but I would have never uncovered if I wouldn’t have taken a step of obedience into what he had for me. Now that I am eight whole months in, I have no doubt that the Lord called me down this path and I am more than happy that he did.
As we approach the last month of the race, the Lord has surprised me with a plan that is different than my own once again. I was completely prepared to start at Colorado State University in the fall, but as it approached it felt less and less right. I have been waiting for the Lord to call me to college, I know….it sounds crazy, but as I sat at PVT in Guatemala, the Lord shared that he may just have other plans for me. We were doing a listening prayer exercise and the Holy Spirit whispered to me, “Taley, I want you to say yes and commit to the next thing I place before you.”
I was excited to see what he would have for me, but nothing was coming up. I knew what he had spoken over me, but at this point, I just assumed that the next thing I would have to commit to was college. I was ready to say yes, but felt a little bit unsettled with the idea. The first few weeks in Africa came and went, and May 1st (the day I would have to commit to CSU) was approaching rapidly. I was convinced that college was the next step the Lord had planned for me.
Then, on April 6th, I got a message from my Squad Mentor, Jodi, that changed everything. The Lord provided a new opportunity and immediately it felt right. It was the next thing he had placed before me that I had to commit to. The Lord was faithful.
Jodi offered me a postion as an Alumni Team Leader. What this meant is that this coming September I would launch with a Gap Squad (just like mine) into the field as a Team Leader. I would stay with them in the field for three months, show them the ropes, and just be a friend and leader to them. I would help lead team times and disciple them. I would do ministry with them and love on them just like brothers and sisters. I would then, before I left, raise up someone on my team to take my role as the leader. I would train them and prepare them to lead and disciple their team well.
So, after much thought and prayer, I officially accepted the position last week. Surprise, surprise, I will be back in the field doing exactly what I love so so much. I don’t know what country I will be going to yet or really any of the big details, but I can’t wait to see the big ways the Lord works in and through me as I work alongside Adventures in Missions again. I have learned and grown so much through this experience, so I can’t wait to embark on another 3 months with a new squad. The Lord has some big plans, I can already feel it.
This will require fundraising, and I am sure I will receive more details soon. I just wanted to keep everyone in the loop about what the future after the race looks like for me. Thank you for your constant love and support through this whole World Race experience. I will definitely keep everyone updated.
So, yet again, the “college” season of my life has been postponed. The Lord is teaching me so much about relying on him, putting my full dependence and control in his hands, and taking life one day at a time. As I take another step of obedience in his plans for me, I don’t fear never attending college because this is a desire of my heart and something I want in order to gain the skill to further his kingdom. At this point, I just want what he has for me because I know that is the absolute best. I know he will take care of me and walk alongside me. I know he will take this time to continue molding me into the person he want me to be. I know he will take this time to reveal to me my passions in the deepest depths of my soul. He’s not finished with me. Jesus take the wheel, I’m just along for the ride.
