All Other Ground is Sinking Sand

Hi hi friends & family!!!

Over the past couple months, God has answered prayers I didn’t know to pray. He has provided life-giving opportunities, time to rest, hope for the future, endurance for the tasks at hand, and renewed passion for what he has called me to.

A personal update as the year 2022 kicks off: The Lord has put the word finish on my heart. He doesn’t always give me a word to focus on, but this year finish resonates deep in my soul. Looking at the big picture, I am beginning my eighth and final semester of college, and I want to finish well. I have so much to look forward to, so I want to steward my time still here to the best of my ability. On a smaller scale, I am reading through the Bible chronologically, knitting a blanket, and training for a half marathon. Often, I get excited and motivated to begin something, but am quickly discouraged or tired as progress can be painfully slow for my fast-paced preferences. So, I am excited to be committed to finishing what is started and growing in discipline in that.

An update on the WorldRace: As we continue to navigate the ever-changing waters of COVID, there are a few changes to the structure of our trip. Now, instead of 3 separate routes, we have been merged into one squad that will travel together to our various locations. To reduce the chance of spreading COVID and to mitigate quarantine requirements, we will be going to 4-6 countries for an extended period of time, as opposed to a country each month. These countries include Guatemala, Romania, Albania, Kosovo, Jordan, and Thailand. I have spent a few summers in Guatemala, twice for a month at a time, so this country is near to my heart and will feel like home. I am blown away that the Lord would give me this good gift in getting to return to Guatemala (and practice Spanish!!) as a part of the WR.

This change in structure was an answer to a prayer I didn’t know I needed to pray. He has blessed me beyond measure in this. As I thought about the Race, I prayed that the Lord would help me learn what discipleship would look like. Discipleship is a huge part of the WorldRace, and a big focus of AIM, but traditionally I had viewed discipleship as a long-term investment doing life with those around you. So I had to wrestle with the concept for a few weeks and prayed about how discipleship would look as we hopped from country to country each month. The Lord was faithful to give me peace that passed all understanding as I asked Him questions about the future ministry, and He was faithful to answer as He saw fit. By changing the structure from 11 to 4 or so countries, it means that we will be spending around two months in each location. This allows for deeper relationships and opportunities for meaningful discipleship, as well as an increased understanding of the culture in each country. I am so thankful!

An update on support raising: WOW!! I am blown away by the love and support of my family and friends in this season. I am currently 38% funded for the trip. I have a little over $11,000 to raise. Most of the support so far has come from people who heard about the trip and have been led by the Lord to partner with me financially. Additionally, I was blessed with a tax return and stimulus, which I prayed about and invested into this trip. I also did a small fundraiser through CustomInk and sold sweatshirts, and I may do another one of those in the Spring! Right now, I am planning an event, Lord willing, that will be ticketed and raise more support for the trip. Please feel free to spread the word with your friends and family about my trip. I would love the opportunity to sit down with you over coffee and share what the Lord has put on my heart to walk into with obedience and by his provision alone.

Finally, I finish this long overdue (apologies apologies!!) blog with a truth that the Lord has been teaching me. A house built on rock will withstand the storms and trials of life, but a house built on sand will fall. In a season of life where things are constantly changing, Christ alone is a firm foundation. For me, that looks like shifts in career goals, friendships, the WorldRace route, ministry, family life, and so much more. I know each one of you could add change after change from your own life to the list. And so our hearts must sing, “On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand”. Our identity, security, and stability must be deeply rooted in God himself; only then will we find what we’re looking for. On this side of eternity, the world will continue to change as we experience the effects of a cursed and broken earth, but lasting joy and the eternal hope of glory is found in our Creator who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. I leave you with this verse that I meditate on often, Psalm 62:7, “On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God”.

I would love for you to join me in prayer. Here are some specific ways you can be praying for me:

–        Pray that the Holy Spirit would help me to finish this season (classes, RS ministry, college) with endurance and joy

–        Pray that God would give me opportunities to practice my Spanish speaking skills

–        Pray that He would line up the details for support-raising events

–        Pray that Jehovah Jireh, my provider, would continue to lead people to partner with me in this mission and that I would have the wisdom and discernment to ask for support as He leads