I have been trying to write for the past few days. However every time I sit down to write, I feel like there is so much pressure on what I should say right now in lieu of current events world wide.
I’ve thought.
I’ve prayed.
And the one thing I keep coming back to is that I need to be honest.
Looking back over the past few months, a lot has changed in my life.
I graduated from college, moved out of my apartment, and moved home.
This summer has for sure been a season of change. I can no longer text a number of my friends to go on a walk or make a quick Sonic run simply because I am bored. We can’t all get together on a Saturday, bring a mattress into the living room, and watch movies all day long. I don’t get to see all of my friends on a regular basis anymore.
This summer I have been able to be around my nieces T-Ball and softball games. I have been able to see my nephew go from a toddler to a little boy who is all rough and tumble. I have been able to make it to all of my families rodeos and work cattle with them as well.
Why do I tell you this? Why am I so focused on all of the things I miss from college and things that I am thankful for from this summer?
Even though leaving my friends and the college town that I loved were not easy in any way, if I wouldn’t have left, then I would have missed out on seeing my nieces and my nephew grow as much as they have this summer.
If I would have stayed in Manhattan, stayed in that season of life, then I would have missed out on the season I am currently enjoying back home.
Was it easy? Not really. But was it worth it? Absolutely!
This pattern has come up many times in my life before. Leaving college was really scary, but once I was there, I was able to meet some of my favorite people in the world and I was able to grow so much as a person.
Other than my family, what is the only thing that has stayed consistent through all of the big life changes? God. He never abandoned me. His love for me never weakened. His plan for my life never changed.
Through each season He knows what the next will bring for me. And even though I might think that change is scary, every single time it has been worth it.
This makes me think ahead to launching for the World Race.
Being home has been a huge blessing. Getting to spend tons of time with my family has been amazing. I am getting ready to start substitute teaching and helping with our local Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter and I am beyond excited!
At times, it is hard to believe that God has something bigger in store for me on the World Race. I mean, how does it get any better than my nieces and nephew running up to me with Kool-Aid stained faces and asking “Aunt Lala can you play pirates with us?”
Ummm are you kidding me?! Absolutely I will!!
But just like He has shown me in the past, the transition may be scary, but moving into the next season will be worth it.
So what do the next couple of months look like for me?
As I said above, here in a couple of weeks I will start substitute teaching and I am extremely excited to get back into the classroom!
In October, my squad and I will travel to Gainesville, Georgia to the Adventures in Mission headquarters and go through training camp!
Sprinkled in between all of that I will be meeting with my partners to share the calling the Lord has placed on my heart and gathering all of the gear needed to live out of a backpack for 11 months.
Other than that, I will be soaking up every possible moment with my family and friends before I head off in this great journey.
It is pretty overwhelming to think of all that needs done before I leave, but I believe that if the Lord brings you to it, He will get you through it. And I believe that He will lead people like you (yes YOU) into my life to partner with me on this journey.
