~ 4/30/21 ~
Yea, so it’s my last day of being 22. It is also my last day in Jaco, Costa Rica. The past few days leading up to my birthday, I’ve been super bummed and not really looking forward to it. I knew we would be at a summer camp in the mountains of Costa Rica with absolutely nothing nearby. There are no coffee shops, no city to adventure into, and no signal to talk to my friends or family. My birthday seemed a kind of a whatever thing. How foolish of me. As we were driving through the mountains today, I plugged in some worship (Show me your glory by Brandon Lake/ Leeland, to be specific) and reflected on my life a year ago vs. now. Both good, just so different.
A year ago, I decided to leave the church and pursue wherever it was God was telling me to go. As I watched the sunset with some loved ones last May 1st, I felt like God spoke to me, “In a year’s time, I’ll be sending you.”
Look at where I am. I’m surrounded by 30 others who love God and are passionate about pursuing His calling. I’m walking in what He has for me and still stepping into it deeper and deeper.
I feel like this debrief is really strategic of the Lord. With my phone out of service, I won’t be getting a thousand messages from home. I can just seek the Lord for what He has for my team and I. How absolutely strategic. I see now how much of a blessing it is to be here. Thank you, God, for my life and for using it this way. Thank you for the way you used it in 22. My prayer is that you’re even closer in 23.
23 things I’ve learned before 23.
1. How to say yes and keep saying yes.
2. Less is more.
3. You can’t heal what you aren’t broken for.
4. You get as much as you put in.
5. What is happening in our physical lives is often a reflection of what’s happening in our spiritual lives.
6. Listen more than I speak, but when I speak, do it boldly.
7. The lighter the coffee roast, the more caffeinated. Please stop drinking burnt coffee.
9. If you don’t quit, you win.
10. “A quiet church is a dead church.” How crazy I thought that referred to the building for so long.. we can be loud in the church, but unless we are loud in our workplaces, our homes, and in the streets.. are we considered loud? A quiet workplace is a dead church. A quiet household is a dead church. A quiet city is a dead church.
11. Nothing is ever solved when we choose sides. We choose Jesus and what He says. Only then are we actively solving problems.
12. Love does.
13. Instead of being frustrated in uncertainty, take it in as a surprise.
14. Peace is active, not passive.
15. God doesn’t withhold from us. Ever.
16. To stop promoting an organization and just promote the kingdom.
17. If I don’t have friends outside my Christian circle, I’m doing it wrong.
18. Thought patterns pave the way for practical patterns.
19. How to rest. Not lay in bed all day. Not watch TV all day. Not chill all day. Truly rejuvenate in the Lord.
20. God doesn’t change His mind.
21. There’s a difference between being hidden and hiding.
22. We have access to every single spiritual gift. I can preach, heal, speak in tongues, teach, prophecy, etc.
23. How to stop living in fear.
I’ve grown so much in recent years and am still growing. I cant wait to see what God has for this year, even yet, what He has for this life.
ps. I can’t get over how well my team celebrated me! I feel so cherished by these guys and am so grateful for them :’)
Thanks for choosing to share your birthday (and 11 months) with us! I’m so glad you did 🙂
Those lessons are on point! Praise God for what He’s doing in and through you.
Thank you so much for sharing your Birthday. As your mom, I was sad, depressed and even cried on your special day. It was the first Birthday in your life I haven’t seen you or spoke to you. As your mom, I was worried if you were ok as I knew you weren’t looking forward to that day. As your friend however, my heart was full, my mind was happy and my entire self was and is so proud.
I love and miss you more then you know. Can’t wait to hug your neck!!!