Hood to Coast

...and I did it!!!

Africa

Well, the news is out!  Or it will be by this time tomorrow at least!
The secret that I have been holding on to for over a month now, is that I will be taking 2 months in the fall of 2013 to go to Africa and do mission work.
I am so incredibly excited!
I will be telling the youth tomorrow night, but just told our session tonight.  I was (and still am) overwhelmed by their support!  Not only are they letting me go, knowing that I will be returning to a job, but they want to support me on the journey as well.  They want to send me as a part of the church, meaning that they want to be involved.  I just can't believe it!  I never expected that.  I almost began to cry.  Nerves kind of took over me as I told them the news, and it was a little embarrassing as it was a "shaky voice" moment, on a day that I have little voice.  But they were ecstatic!  Maybe even as excited as I am!
Now I take the next step.
I am praying that God will show me where He wants me to go.  This is a big faith journey, and I'm just stepping out, praying that God leads the way.  Looking back on the last few months, I can see how He's been putting this all together, so I know that wherever I end up, it will be His plan, and His guidance leading me there.
I'm a bit tired and flaky from all of my cold meds, so I'm going to leave it at that.  But I will tell the rest of the story soon!

God speaks at Zumba

Tonight I went to Zumba for the second time. Our church is hosting a class on Mondays. I had to laugh, because as I reflect on this week, and how God has been moving in my life, I realized that it all started last week at Zumba! It was a song that came on and opened my eyes, and was just like..."THAT'S IT!!!" It was my AHA! moment at church Zumba! And now, the ball is rolling!

I still can't post what's happening, but I hope to be able to say something in the next few weeks. But I am excited about what God is doing, and the doors that are opening!

Please pray for me as I take this exciting journey!

EXCITEMENT

Something big is happening, and unfortunately, I can't write about what it is yet. And worse off, I can't find my journal. But God is opening doors, and speaking to me in ways unexpected. Just to go ahead and ward off any rumors, no, I am not leaving my job. But I am serving with a new excitement, and a boost in life! And to ward off other rumors, no it does not mean that I'm dating or getting married!

That said, I think those are all of the rumors that people would jump to!

But all of the confusion that I have been feeling for the last few months is finally clearing up! Doors are opening, and I'm excited to see where God leads!

My heart breaks

My heart breaks when I find out kids are being dishonest

My heart breaks when I hear that a kid thinks that I've been talking about them, and now they can't trust me (I don't talk about my kids to other kids)

My heart breaks when I put together an event, and think it went really well, only to hear that kids will be kids, they will start drama, and someone will always leave with their feelings hurt

My heart breaks when I feel like kids are coming to youth group, and missing out on the message of the love of Christ, because they are treated poorly

My heart breaks, because I can't fix any of these things

I just trust in the Lord, only He can make it right

Gratitude

As a part of lent, I am committing to writing down 3 things that I am thankful for daily. I thought I would share some of them here.

1. I am most thankful for my family. I have a wonderful family, and I am truly blessed. My parents still take care of me to this day (not in a creepy, "I still live in their basement" kind of way, but more of a loving "give rides to the airport, take care of my dog" kind of way) I am also thankful for a wonderful sister who lets me be a part of her families lives, and makes life fun.

2. I am thankful for my many friends, and the ability to stay in touch with them over the years. For good roommates of the past, for people I have worked with, for those I have been in a small group with. The many ways I built up these friendships that are now long lasting.

3. For the ability to nap. I love to nap, and I am thankful for a flexible schedule that allows me to do so, when I need it!

Friends

As I reflect on this year, the thing that I realize I am most thankful for is my groups of friends!

I feel very blessed, as I have been thinking about this a lot lately. I have friends, best friends, close friends, friends who live far away, friends who have lived in my home, friends in ministry, friends who are in ministry that gather away from ministry, friends who like FRIENDS, friends who like HIMYM, friends who like the office, friends who like to ski, friends who like to run, friends who like to go to sporting events, small groups, friends not connected to the church, ministry cohorts, teams, walking buddies, different camp staffs that I am blessed to be a part of, and so much more. I feel like I am connected to people through numerous circles. And this year, I feel especially blessed! I don't know how I would survive without these people in my life! They fill me with joy! They encourage me, they listen when I am down. Sometimes they relate to the mental health issues that I struggle with, sometimes they don't, but they listen anyways. Sometimes we laugh about what it means to be OCD, sometimes we share the struggles. Some friends are easy to travel with, and make life fun. Some stay home and give me rest.

Some friends are closer through facebook, some are close enough to meet for coffee.

It's all different kinds of friends, and all different kinds of people. Old, middle, young. Tall, short. Skinny, Not as skinny. Great huggers, non huggers. Funny, serious. Random, Surprising.

Everything.

Man, I AM BLESSED!!!

I am so thankful for these friends!

And those are the thoughts that have been filling my head lately.