Four years? 48 months? 1,460 days? Wow.
Four years ago, on July 18th, I boarded a plane from Port-au-Prince (Haiti) to Spokane, WA. My dad and sister greeted me at the airport at midnight that evening and we drove to Coeur d'Alene. Adrenaline and emotions were high. I couldn't sleep, I couldn't think straight, and I had no idea how to process my return to the states. I kept thinking of my friends in Haiti and all the kids that I had grown to love so much. All I wanted was to return; however, I had no idea what that would look like. I returned to Idaho feeling tired and lost. I knew God had a plan- though I had NO CLUE what it was- and decided I would take advantage of the opportunities that opened up along the way. Little did I know that this would lead me back to Tacoma, taking nanny and coffee jobs, finishing school and eventually making it my home.
Here's a brief recap:
Summer 2012: Returned from Haiti. Lived in Idaho.
Summer 2013: Finished my junior year at PLU. Nanny and Starbucks summer jobs in Tacoma.
Summer 2014: Graduated with my BAE. Began working as Young Adult Specialist with Youth Missions International.
Summer 2015: Transitioned from Youth Missions International to TEAM. Began classes with Western Seminary.
Summer 2016: Hit my 1 year with TEAM (on July 1st!). Traveled to Southeast Asia. In the middle of courses towards a Master of Arts in Global Leadership with an emphasis in coaching through Western Seminary… and still living in Tacoma.
Looking back, it is amazing how much can change in one year, let alone four. Up until the past month I was still dead set on moving overseas for long-term missions… then I went on a vision trip to Southeast Asia. While in SE Asia I definitely could see myself living there and serving amongst a great team of people. Some amazing opportunities were presented to me and my first response was “YES. I WOULD LOVE TO SERVE HERE. THIS IS PERFECT.” However, as I have been praying I have felt a shift. It’s a shift that gives me peace in staying. It’s a shift that has shown me that my true heart passion is in mobilization and training/equipping churches and individuals in missions; I love to awaken vision and passion in the community; and to coach people in their life and health. I also know that I love to travel, to run and to rock climb.
So, what does this mean? What does this look like? I have NO CLUE. I know that I am called to trust; and this is my act of trust. To say yes to helping others go/send. I will continue to travel, to be open to whatever God may lay ahead. I will embrace the being in the PNW and the United States. Whether that is Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska… or somewhere not even on my radar. I will be paying off debt; visiting family; coaching people with TEAM; serving churches in the area; training for my second half marathon; and… who knows what else!
All I know is that this is where I am.
Laying everything down in trust once again.
[The songs below and lyrics go right along with this so I thought I would share!]
[Also, for more info on SE Asia go to my photo blog page!]
Four years ago, on July 18th, I boarded a plane from Port-au-Prince (Haiti) to Spokane, WA. My dad and sister greeted me at the airport at midnight that evening and we drove to Coeur d'Alene. Adrenaline and emotions were high. I couldn't sleep, I couldn't think straight, and I had no idea how to process my return to the states. I kept thinking of my friends in Haiti and all the kids that I had grown to love so much. All I wanted was to return; however, I had no idea what that would look like. I returned to Idaho feeling tired and lost. I knew God had a plan- though I had NO CLUE what it was- and decided I would take advantage of the opportunities that opened up along the way. Little did I know that this would lead me back to Tacoma, taking nanny and coffee jobs, finishing school and eventually making it my home.
Here's a brief recap:
Summer 2012: Returned from Haiti. Lived in Idaho.
Summer 2013: Finished my junior year at PLU. Nanny and Starbucks summer jobs in Tacoma.
Summer 2014: Graduated with my BAE. Began working as Young Adult Specialist with Youth Missions International.
Summer 2015: Transitioned from Youth Missions International to TEAM. Began classes with Western Seminary.
Summer 2016: Hit my 1 year with TEAM (on July 1st!). Traveled to Southeast Asia. In the middle of courses towards a Master of Arts in Global Leadership with an emphasis in coaching through Western Seminary… and still living in Tacoma.
Looking back, it is amazing how much can change in one year, let alone four. Up until the past month I was still dead set on moving overseas for long-term missions… then I went on a vision trip to Southeast Asia. While in SE Asia I definitely could see myself living there and serving amongst a great team of people. Some amazing opportunities were presented to me and my first response was “YES. I WOULD LOVE TO SERVE HERE. THIS IS PERFECT.” However, as I have been praying I have felt a shift. It’s a shift that gives me peace in staying. It’s a shift that has shown me that my true heart passion is in mobilization and training/equipping churches and individuals in missions; I love to awaken vision and passion in the community; and to coach people in their life and health. I also know that I love to travel, to run and to rock climb.
So, what does this mean? What does this look like? I have NO CLUE. I know that I am called to trust; and this is my act of trust. To say yes to helping others go/send. I will continue to travel, to be open to whatever God may lay ahead. I will embrace the being in the PNW and the United States. Whether that is Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska… or somewhere not even on my radar. I will be paying off debt; visiting family; coaching people with TEAM; serving churches in the area; training for my second half marathon; and… who knows what else!
All I know is that this is where I am.
Laying everything down in trust once again.
[The songs below and lyrics go right along with this so I thought I would share!]
[Also, for more info on SE Asia go to my photo blog page!]
In my heart, I praise your name In my soul, I’m forever changed In my life I’m trusting you alone In my heart, and in my soul | |
I'd give up the world to find my soul Pour out my life, give You control I just want to be what You want me to be I just want a heart that's true A heart like You (a heart like You) I just want a heart like You (a heart like You) | |