3 days.... It's bittersweet.
You know those memories that changed your life forever that took you to a new point in your life and you'll never forget them? Well, for me, this summer is one of those memories. I don't even know how to summarize it all in one post, so bare with me, as most of my post this summer it's a bit lengthy but I encourage you to read through it all!
I've learned a good taste of what the real world entails and how exhausting and hard it is but, if Christ is the center of whatever you do life is so much more fulfilling because the blessings and rewards you reap for your hard work are so much greater than you could dream up. I've also learned the simple lesson that life is short so to take each day for what it is and never take moments for granted because life (this summer being over is a prime example) flies by and such like I discussed in my last post.
I also learned...How to surrender. I went to Brandon, Mississippi leaving behind all my friends and family and only knew very few people here which left it mainly just me and God at the end of the day. It taught me how truly incredible my God is and what an amazing life you can live if you give Him full control with no fears and just go live your life for Him!
How to serve my God! I have gotten to wake up every day and go to bed every night serving my God non stop! And although it has been so easy to do so since I have been working in the ministry, I've learned so many ways I could be a servant of Christ in my own life back at home in my daily life. Along with that, I've learned the true Christ like love that is all throughout the Bible, I know I haven't come near to perfecting it or anything but I've really began to grasp the true concept of it.
I've gotten to see young girls and guys change their lives! I've seen some accept Christ for the first time as I got to pray with them, I've seen girls off on the wrong path get their lives straight and back on the right one, I've seen students who are Christians but really didn't put their faith to action.. put their faith to action! I've seen and prayed around, like on our mission trip last week, a Buddhist temple that was once a Baptist church, been in 6 states this summer, done more outdoor activities than I've done in my whole life and enjoyed every bit of it, let go of so many of my fears, enjoyed fellowship with the youth staff and FBCB staff, go to NOLA for the first time with great friends, shop in the best places, laugh until I cried, annoy people with a bullhorn, have several car shenanigans, go to 2 concerts Carrie Underwood & Clay Walker, learn to paint, play paintball and cry when I got shot, kayaked & canoed, eat calamari, and the list goes on and on and on.
*I left Arkansas saying "why does God need me to go 6 hours away all summer?" to answering that question within a week of being there. Since then, the list of reasons why has just grown week after week. I didn't understand my purpose and really underestimated my abilities as one person to better Christ kingdom and serve as an intern at a church all summer but through this summer I have truly discovered myself and a lot of God's plan for my life. I think one of Satan's best tricks is to make us think we aren't good enough and we might as well not even try because we don't have what it takes but really He wants to stop you from growing the kingdom of Christ & you know if God brought you to it there is probably a pretty good reason for it. I know from here will be a lot more of challenges and test of trusting God and letting Him continue to write my life & love story as I venture back to the world of studying, books, bills, etc. But, as hard as it is to leave this summer, I am ready to face life with a new mindset and attitude and know that through everything ahead God is going to bring and do GREAT things!! *
I could go on for days with what I have learned and could tell story after story. I have made friends that will last a lifetime and memories that will do the same. I wouldn't trade this summer for anything in the world, it was definitely the best summer I've ever had. For all of you who prayed for me this summer, thank you so much! For you who opened your homes to me to stay at or eat or whatever it might have been, thank you so much! Thank you to my family and friends for supporting me this summer even though it was crazy trying to get ahold of me and not getting to see me any! Thank you to First Baptist Brandon for having me and opening their hearts to me this summer! And thank you Kevin for seeing things in me I didn't even recognize and bringing me down here to work with you guys this summer!I love you all! :)
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14
