Looking to the past is sometimes easier than looking to the future; well, at least for me it is. I like organization, order, and plans. My life, in a nutshell, has been as far from that as possible. Nothing has happened like I thought it would (or should). My check list life was at one point ripped into confetti. Years later I'm still picking up the scraps.
I've been in love with the United Kingdom for as long as I can remember and started planning my trip when I was seven. I can't tell you what first drew me or what has fascinated me since, all I can say is I'm still in love!
I knew I was called into missions and ministry when I was a pre-teen. If you had asked me then, I would have moved across the world at a moments notice. My faith in my calling was so strong that it left little doubt of if I was ready. From that point on, I lived my life working towards achieving that dream.
From that time, I feel like every obstacle possible has been thrown in my path. I never lost faith, but I'll admit things were a little rocky at times. I allowed myself to believe that maybe I had misinterpreted my calling. I tried to reshape my life but still be sensitive to God's will. I walked a winding path, that at times made no sense, which has led me here. It took me years, many miles, different careers, and more tears than I can say... but finally the dream I had is beginning to take shape.
In a few short months, I will be making the move across the pond to my beloved England (how amazing is God?!)! I will be working for a couple that I met in 2008 and their organization One by One. I feel blessed that I was able to form a wonderful relationship and friendship with Matt and Becky before I began working for them. I remember being so inspired by the story of One by One's ministry when I first heard Becky speak in 2008. "Stopping for the one" to show them God's love and reaching the world through widows and orphans mirrored my heart in such a way it almost made it ache. I wanted to be doing that, living that! I went with a One by One group to Kenya in 2009; and I can honestly say, I've never been the same. I never dreamed that 5 years later, after my second trip to Kenya, that I would be joining the One by One team! I am being given the opportunity to work in Kenya and in England. I couldn't have pieced it together this perfectly. Obviously, it is worth it to wait on God's timing!
Life has changed so much in only a few short months. It feels weird now to look back at all the things that have brought me here. It has been a winding road, but it all makes sense now. I can almost see pre-teen me looking back with eyes of disbelief. Shaking her head as if to say, "Seriously?! You doubted? You idiot!" I smile to myself, because it doesn't matter now... God's promises are being fulfilled.
I've been in love with the United Kingdom for as long as I can remember and started planning my trip when I was seven. I can't tell you what first drew me or what has fascinated me since, all I can say is I'm still in love!
I knew I was called into missions and ministry when I was a pre-teen. If you had asked me then, I would have moved across the world at a moments notice. My faith in my calling was so strong that it left little doubt of if I was ready. From that point on, I lived my life working towards achieving that dream.
From that time, I feel like every obstacle possible has been thrown in my path. I never lost faith, but I'll admit things were a little rocky at times. I allowed myself to believe that maybe I had misinterpreted my calling. I tried to reshape my life but still be sensitive to God's will. I walked a winding path, that at times made no sense, which has led me here. It took me years, many miles, different careers, and more tears than I can say... but finally the dream I had is beginning to take shape.
In a few short months, I will be making the move across the pond to my beloved England (how amazing is God?!)! I will be working for a couple that I met in 2008 and their organization One by One. I feel blessed that I was able to form a wonderful relationship and friendship with Matt and Becky before I began working for them. I remember being so inspired by the story of One by One's ministry when I first heard Becky speak in 2008. "Stopping for the one" to show them God's love and reaching the world through widows and orphans mirrored my heart in such a way it almost made it ache. I wanted to be doing that, living that! I went with a One by One group to Kenya in 2009; and I can honestly say, I've never been the same. I never dreamed that 5 years later, after my second trip to Kenya, that I would be joining the One by One team! I am being given the opportunity to work in Kenya and in England. I couldn't have pieced it together this perfectly. Obviously, it is worth it to wait on God's timing!
Life has changed so much in only a few short months. It feels weird now to look back at all the things that have brought me here. It has been a winding road, but it all makes sense now. I can almost see pre-teen me looking back with eyes of disbelief. Shaking her head as if to say, "Seriously?! You doubted? You idiot!" I smile to myself, because it doesn't matter now... God's promises are being fulfilled.