Here We Go!

A new adventure, a new blog!

In 4 short days I leave beautiful Oregon, and head to Madison, WI! I will be staffing this fall for a DTS (Discipleship Training School) with YWAM (Youth With A Mission). I did my DTS in 2012, 3 months after I graduated. BUT I'm sure anyone/everyone who reads this already knows that!

Today I left my home for the past 3 summers, and last 14 months full time. I worked and lived on the amazing Oregon coast for a camp run through my church. It just might be my favorite place in the world! I have the most INCREDIBLE work family. I don't know why the Lord chose to bless me in the ways He has, but I'm not complaining! Leaving that all behind...well..it was rough to say the least.
As I drove out of that parking lot (after over an hour of saying "see-ya-laters" repeatedly, and receiving more hugs than I can even count) I had a major, toddler style meltdown. I lost it. I yelled at God for taking me out of that place, making me say good-bye to that amazing camp life, I asked why He was asking me to go alone, and why He hadn't let me just be content doing what I was doing. After I was finished yelling and accusing and was reduced to a sobbing blubbering mess, He started speaking to my heart. He didn't scold me for everything I had just said (what a gracious Father we have!) and instead, He let me know that it was OK to cry. Sometimes when I start to feel overwhelmed, I put up an "emotion block." I don't let myself feel because I'm afraid. Then it all builds up until I have a volcano moment, and that's never pretty. So today, I let myself cry. I cried and cried... I'm exhausted. But then I started out loud, declaring peace. Peace in my heart, in my emotions, in every part of my being. And, well, I felt peace. Overwhelming peace that passes understanding.
As I started to calm down, the song "Never Once" came on the radio. As I listened to the words again, it hit me in a whole new way, a way that reached me right where I was at. "Carried by Your constant grace, held within Your PERFECT peace, never once, no we never walk alone. Never once did we ever walk alone. Never once did you leave us on our own. You are FAITHFUL, God You are faithful."
By the end of my 3 hour drive, my heart had changed. Instead of being angry to be gone, I started thanking God for the time I had there. Instead of asking why I couldn't have been called to stay there longer, I thanked Him for the worthy calling He has given me.
He is SO faithful and so worth thanking.
Well, how's that for a first blog? Despite all the complaining you just read about, don't be deceived! I really AM excited to go back with YWAM! Excited to see my friends, be back in that close of a community, excited for constant adventures! I don't know how often I'll be on here. I love to write, so I'll probably post waaaaaay too much. Or I'll completely forget and you might not hear from me again for a month or 3 or 7. Just kidding, I really will try to be consistent!
Moral of this ranting story: God is good. ALL the time. ALL THE TIME.