All the Way

"All the way my Savior leads me."

We just arrived back from community one and the Lord's faithfulness abounds. I knew that God had me on a different journey than last summer, but I wasn't aware of just how different it would look. It has been a beautiful challenge walking with these ladies as their leader but also walking along side of them as a part of journey.

While in the community, I was able to see God - once again - in a way I've never seen him before. As a lot of you know, I'm a creative person. I enjoy art and the creative process, but I also am an avid lover of photography. When it comes to taking my own photos, I'm am very insecure and struggle with feeling inadequate. But, during the 6 days in the community, the Lord pressed in to me that I am not made perfect in the things I do - but in the way He has made me.

For the first few days of Journey, I was hesitant to even take out my camera because as part of our staff, we have an amazing photographer, Johnny McLaughlin, who God has blessed with an incredible talent. But, God has been faithful to use Johnny in a huge way in my life. He has had the patience to sit down with me and teach me so many things about photography and just reassure me that it is ok to mess up. For so long I was feeling guilty because my dad bought me all this new camera stuff specifically for Kenya and I didn't even want to use it. But, through Johnny and Kadie, God showed me that just like He blesses me because I'm His child, so does my earthly father. He didn't buy me these things because he expects perfection, but because he wants me to experience joy and because he loves me. The same way, God doesn't bless me with things because He expects perfection, but because He loves me and wants me to have joy.



All throughout the week I was able to see what it truly means to be a leader. As a summer staff, we have been extremely blessed with Cody as our leader. I've been able to watch him and learn from him as he pushes us to step further into our roles. Today, Cody left with Nathanael to do some work and summer staff was left to lead on our own. I was honestly really nervous to not have him here but as the day winds down, I am so thankful that we have had this opportunity. Before leaving, he looked us in the eyes and said he trusts us and is confident in Jesus in us to lead these interns. Today was such a sweet time with the interns as they had a sabbath and as we were able to lead them in a debrief discussion of what they experienced in the first community. The Lord showed me continually that He truly has equipped me for what He has called me to. I was able to step up and into the role that has been given to me for the summer and I am confident that I will continue to grow from here.

His goodness is steadfast and everlasting. It endures forever and I can't even imagine what is in store for me during the rest of the summer and when I return home. As I walk along side of these interns I am reminded daily that I am on a journey as well. I see Jesus in all of them on a daily basis and am so thankful that the Lord purposed all of us to be together for this summer. It is such a sweet time that not a lot of people get to have in their lives.

This past week was a beautiful reminder of just how big God is. As I stepped off the bus, I was greeted by dear friends who were not aware that I was returning. Their excitement and joy was a direct reflection of God's excitement and joy when we choose to return to Him daily. I am so thankful that He has allowed me to come back for this summer and strengthen not only my relationship with the people of Kenya, but also my relationship with Him. His love is sweet and so so wild.

Thank you all for your prayers. Please keep them coming as we gear up to head into our next community Tuesday morning.

A Time to Remember

A year ago today, I was curled up in a ball laying on my bed crying. I had just broken up with someone and I was so angry at my dad. I was 4 days away from beginning one of the greatest journeys of my life and all I could think about was how I couldn't wait to get away from everything.

It has been exactly one year since I've been in a relationship and I can honestly say it has been the best year out of the 23 I've been blessed with. It has been a year of growth, a year of struggles, a year of brokenness and healing. I saw God in a way that I never had before. I had always said I didn't need a man by side, but over the past year I've come to actually believe it and live that out. Starting with Journey, I saw the Lord place a shield around my (at the time) broken heart. He allowed me to see what it mean to let Him guard my heart, and then He taught me how to guard it myself. He brought me 11 men as a part of my team and allowed me to witness what it means to have a true brother in Christ. A brother who is interested in your walk with Christ and not just when he can take you on a date. I've had guy friends all my life. But I'd never had a guy friend that treated me the way Christ calls us to treat each other - as sons and daughters of the most high God.

I was able to watch one member of my team pursue his girlfriend, now fiance, in the way he handled his relationships with all the girls. It was a beautiful and tangible example of what I deserve and of how Christ constantly pursues me. I was allowed to let go, to truly live, to love again the way I was created to love. Christ set me back on my feet and simply said, "walk." So I did.

This past year I have walked in more freedom than I ever knew possible. I've learned so much about Jesus and His love for me. I have learned what it means to rest in His love. I've experienced His correction and His discipline. And, I've been romanced by the one man that deems me worthy of dying for.

This year, God has showed me just how faithful He is in everything that He does. He is a promise maker and a promise keeper. He has called me out of my comfort zone and into a life where I don't know what's next. But, I've never been more ok with that than I am right now.

Tomorrow, I leave again for a place that is more like home than I could've ever dreamed of. I leave with a healed heart; a heart full of hope and promise. I walk forward with confidence that His plans and timing are so sovereign. I march on knowing that my life rests in the palm of His hand and not in mine. For that, I am so thankful.