New Year. New Adventure.

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.

Here I am. Send Me.