Finishing Strong



My failed attemted at Alfajores de
Dulce de Leche

I have spent the past three months patiently waiting upon the Lord! I can be quite impatient at times, wanting things to hurry up, but God knows what He is doing. Jesus is so worth it!

I wish I could share every detail of God's provision for, passience with, and faithfullness toward me. I wish I could share all the stories of the many people I have met and heard about, but I will spare you my long stories.

Aunt Teana called and asked if Jonathan and I were interested in coming to Revive Weekend at Crossgates Baptist Church (a growing faith-filled church in Brandon, MS). After changing my work schedule, I was excited for this weekend to get away. Boy, Did I need Reviving! I antisipated meeting senors my own age to meet and listen to (Jonathan and I are the only youth in our church and don't get out much as homeschoolers). I so looked forward to hearing what each Senior planned to do after graduation. I was perhaps seeking a little silliness in contrast to my commonly mature grown-up life.

Going swimming in Febuary during
a thunderstorm. We are so wise!

I did my best to quickly adjust to the apparent culture shock of being around so many high energy teens, but immediately introduced myself to the first two Seniors who arrived, Wes and Caleb. The Seniors all mainly stayed in a group; so, it wasn't long before Jonathan and I met Eric, Abbey, Paige, Bry and few other Seniors. Throughout the weekend, I talked with and listened to as many Seniors as I could. One girl was going into film, and one young man was hoping to do tennis. My brain raced to find the awsome and unique ways God will use them!

During this time, I realized that I was rushing through these last months of highschool to get to Peru. I so looked forward to eventually stepping off that plane in Tacna. I am so excited to get the privelage to meet the two little ones currently living at Exodus House. But in all my antisipation and excitement for that day, I am missing this moment. I will never get highschool back. I may never again see the people I so familiarly see every week. I will not always have my parents nearby or get to pick on Jonathan and sing sily songs with him (when we are suppose to be focusing on civics and business math). The word I took from that weekend was,"Finish Strong."

We are all at different stages in our lives. While I'm graduating highschool and moving away from home for at  least a year, another person may be in a completely different stage in life. They may be marrying their life partner, or surviving three dependent children, or experiencing letting their last child go into the world, or retiring. We all must take each moment as it comes and live each second to the fullest. We will never get these moments back. We may never be able to spend more time with the family, share Christ with that one person, tell your child how much you love them, or impact the world at any other time than this moment. Carpe Dieme! Seize the Day!

The Lord, even before this weekend, told me to spend more time with my family and reach out more to those who are already far away like my big brother Nathan. For I may never have another chance.

Family bowling day Febuaray 11, 2012. Daddy won!

GOD is big! Within the past three months He has provided funding and confirmation. I have been introduced to some I may get see agian (another interning in Peru this summer and some coming to Peru with a team). He has allowed me to go ahead and book my plane flight to Tacna! I will be departing for Peru June 12, 2012! All the more reason to live each day moment by moment, for that day will be here before I know it!
Thankyou for your support and prayers! It means so much to me that so many people believe in God's call on my life.