What a summer this has been. Maybe it's the imminense of my soon to be two year absense or maybe its just that I have taken the time to truly be present in my surroundings. My last blog post was written at the start of my fundraising season. I now write this nearing the end. Thinking back to Go Week, and all the training we recieved I knew I would be here one day. Nearly finished, preparing to up and move to Mexico. But I had no idea what the time inbetween would look like. My favorite part of this whole adventure has been seeing how existing relationships have changed. Those who have joined my support team have known me or my family for a long time and genuinely care about me as a person. Exactly the vision God placed on my heart. An initimate team of supporters to love and care about this journey. Even with this intimacy, I have seen a new level of our relationship develop. Talking about these ideas that are bigger than ourselves, these God sized visions, have turned to deeper converastions about life goals, fears, hesitations and hope. The most exciting part is this is just the start. My two years has not yet begun and I am already able to see God's hand. It has truly been an amazing summer.
Specifically I have spent my summer in a few big areas. One has been continuing to dive into my relationship with Community of Faith. I have been given the opportunity to volunteer at the Wednesday Night COF Middle School services. I hang out with the kids, play 4 square, gaga ball, and try to be a role model for these young people of God. Another big chunk of my time has been with the Houston Fire Department. Holding down a full time job while fundraising has been a challenge. But I made a commitment when I took this job to finish my probationary time period and I intend to keep that. My grandmother recently gave me a book called Detours by Tony Evans (one of my favorite Pastors). This book focuses on the story of Joseph. Throughout the book Tony Evans discusses how God uses detours in Joseph's life to preapre him for his destiny; to be second in command of Egypt and save the country from starvation. The main theme of the story is that God places opportunities (detours) in our life as a tool for us to use to grow into the man or woman he has created us to be. I was resistant to the lessons God was trying to teach me though HFD as it required me to be submissive, quiet, and nothing but a follower. All traits that go against the grain if you know me very well. But as I have shifted my perspective I now realize God has been using this time to prepare to for servitutde to the people of Mexico City. This has been a summer filled with internal growth. And finally! Family and Friends. How refreshing it can be to just sit and spend time with those you love. I have tried to cherish these moments as I know they will be scarce over the next two years. But, obedience is obedience and I will obey His word. What a journey it will be.