This year has been
something that I really could never have expected. In December 2013, I moved
back to Port St. Lucie to do online classes at Moody Bible Institute. During this
year, I got the chance to fall in love with a church family and connect so
deeply with so many. I have been supported and encouraged so much this year. I
got the opportunity to dive into ministry. For the past four months I have been
working as the Worship and Youth Leader at Sent Life Church. It has been so
great to be involved in ministry and using the gifts God has given me. I have fallen in love with all the youth kids. It has been so amazing getting to know them and grow closer with them. But also watching them grow has been such a blessing. The
people that have surrounded me have truly become my family. I have loved
everything about this past year spent with these people.
That is why it is so hard
to announce that I will be moving to Tennessee at the end of December. God has
opened the doors for me with an amazing opportunity to pursue a Biblical
education at Johnson University in Knoxville. I have been praying about this so
much and I feel like God has made it so evident to me that this is where the
next chapter of my life is going to take place. I will be majoring in
Intercultural Studies with a Missions concentration. I also have the
opportunity to live with my aunt and uncle so I am very excited about the
opportunity to serve and love on them. I am so excited for the new
opportunities that I will have and the new life I am going to begin. But
leaving the life that I love so much here in Port St. Lucie is going to be very
difficult. The people I love are here. The life that I am comfortable living is
here. And that is why I know I have to go. God is calling me to something
higher and this step is going to prepare me for that calling. I have tattooed
my body with words like “Here I am. Send me.” But when it is time to go I have
been so resistant. I have battled so much to try to convince myself that this is not what God is calling me to do. I have so many fears and I am honestly terrified of the
future because it is so unknown. I have no idea what my life will be like in
one month. But we have a great God. His power is unending. His grace is
infinite. His love for me knows no end. I have no doubt that His plan is the
absolute best for me. He has led me to this place and I have to be obedient. There
are so many things I love with all of my heart that are in Florida. My family,
my church, my best friend. People that I cannot even imagine leaving. But the
Lord is faithful and just. He has called me higher and I am following.
I am not alone in having
to trust the Lord in His plans. The Bible is filled with passages about people
who had to leave everything that was familiar and comfortable and take huge
steps of faith. And thousands of Christ-followers before me have taken these same, faithful steps. My own parents have been amazing examples of truly following Christ
wherever He leads. I have witnessed my parents change their entire lives to
follow God’s calling and I know that this is my time to do the same. God’s
purpose for my life is far greater than my comfort or comprehension. My life
has been ransomed by Christ and I must follow. Even if that means going
somewhere scary or being the new person for a while I still must go.
2014 did not unfold the
way I thought it would. I knew I was moving home in order to eventually go
somewhere else. But I did not know that it was going to be so difficult to
leave. I am so thankful for every experience of 2014. It has held many
struggles and many heartbreaks but it has been the most refreshing year of my
life. I needed this time to allow God to build me and grow me. I have been
stretched and honestly it hurt at times. But this has all been preparation for
the future. I have no idea what God has in store but I am moving where He is
leading. I can’t wait to see where this opportunity takes me. I am so scared
but so excited. So, friends, I ask you to be in prayer for me as I am moving.
It is going to be such a challenging time. But the Lord is faithful.
