Future Home

Christmas

Today as I was spending time with my family, this all became real. I have one more day left in my hometown, Roswell, NM, and then I'll be in Las Cruces until I board the Greyhound to San Diego in just a couple of weeks. I'm so thrilled to have this opportunity. I'm so excited to be following the call I feel God has placed on my heart. Underlying that is a fear. I fear the unknown. I think that most people do, and I don't think it's anything to be ashamed of. I no longer have any concept of where my life is going or what God is planning to use me for. And really, while I'm scared of having nothing and starting over and going to places that are totally foreign to me, while I'm scared of being away from the only home I know, this is really what it's all about. Life is about letting go of the material things. It's truly about trusting God. This is just the beginning for me, I know it. I'm going to struggle with trust so much. Fortunately, God has blessed me with friendships that I can't begin to understand and family that loves me and supports me in everything I do. I am blessed. This Christmas, I truly see how rich I am. Thank you, Jesus.

Merry Christmas.

In Preparation

Kony 2012. I've been working on some of my pre-arrival assignments. Watching videos and reading about all that has been accomplished since Invisible Children began in 2003 is incredible. I have shed a few tears. I have had goosebumps for a solid hour. I'm so excited to be part of this. And, then this: http://www.theresolve.org/blog/archives/3071031683.

2012 will be defined by justice. I cannot wait.

Middle America: Prairie Life!

I am SO excited. I have been assigned to Team Middle America, which means I will be hitting up all the good prairie land PLUS a piece of Canada. I'll be going to Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, North and South Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota in the States.

I didn't know what to expect of my team assignment. I had a feeling I might get Middle America, but I really wanted a southern team or east coast team. I take it all back. I can't imagine being nearly as excited about any of the other team placements. I'm overjoyed.

I can't wait to meet my teammates. Kony 2012. Justice. Here we come.

Beginnings

One chapter of my life is closing. I've been in college for four years. But in the last year, my life has been radically changed. It all began when I met a group of people involved in Invisible Children. By the grace of God, they have become my best friends. The love I have for them is undeniable and unwavering. We had one semester together, just several short months that flew by and left us bonded in a way none of us could have imagined. This semester, two of these beautiful people went on a journey. And as I watched them grow and work, I knew my turn was coming. Tonight, their tour with Invisible Children ended. I've never been more proud of anyone in my life. And now, it's my turn. On January 9, 2012, I will leave the only home I've ever known for five months. I'm putting school on hold. I'm going to help end the longest running war in Africa. And I don't know if I would have ever had the strength or courage to go without the example of these two young men I've been so blessed to know. Yes, it means more time apart from my friends. It means discomfort. It means inconveniences. It means sacrifice. But I have learned something. The love between people grows and continues even in absence. I had never experienced this until now. And really, that is all that I could ever ask for.

I began this first semester of my senior year of college broken and struggling, searching for a way to get by without two people I leaned on heavily. I ended it realizing God has provided me with strength to stand on my own... and relationships that are stronger than I ever imagined.

I titled this blog "Beautiful Things" after the song of the same title by Gungor. God does make beautiful things out of all of his creation. As I enter into the Invisible Children Roadie Class of Spring 2012, I plan to take note of these beautiful things and never forget.