When reading a chapter book, usually the best place to pause your reading is at a chapter break, right? Well, I have learned that the ‘chapter breaks’ of life provide a great time to pause and reflect over what God has done.
As the end of the semester approaches, the realities of the next chapters are becoming more real. In less than two weeks, I fly home for a wonderful summer, filled with weddings, time with family and friends, and making new connections! I’ll only have about 10 weeks next semester to finish up the Linguistics course. Then it’s back home to raise up a partnership team before I go to Brazil. How crazy to think that I could be moving next year!
But can I let you in on a little secret, each step of preparation has been scary for me.
In August of 2008, my dad I drove to Jackson, Michigan to attend NTBI- where I knew absolutely no one. I remember getting to the parking lot. We were early for registration by at least a half hour. I was content to stay by the car and wait for 9 am. Dad wasn’t and, like all good dads, he dragged me to one of the tables. I meant current students and started to relax a bit. I loved my time at NTBI. In fact, I loved it so much, I stayed an extra year and interned. (I actually almost stayed for another year, but that is another story for another time.) As my time came to an end there, I felt ready to go. I felt done with that chapter.
Then, I had my plan to come the MTC. I was going to come in August of 2014. God had other plans. I came here to Roach, MO in August of 2013. It was a whirlwind of miracles that got me here- from a late application, to financial provisions, to the timing being just right. All God’s doing. I’ve loved my time here. I have stayed longer here, too. After the church planting course, I took the optional Linguistics course. As my time is coming to an end here, I am feeling ready to go. I am feeling close to done with this chapter.
As I look to the next chapter, I am so excited. And. Terrified. I am excited, because I get to go and share about the ministry God has for me in Brazil. I get to invite people to be a part through praying and giving. I get to meet new people! There is so much to be excited about. I am terrified, too. Terrified, mainly, because I don’t know what it will look like. Sure, I have some idea, but like any new chapter, there are a lot of unknowns. And unknowns terrify me.
But that is one of the oh-so-many beautiful things about serving our God. He is the God who is outside of time. In Isaiah 46:10, God tells us that He knows the end from the beginning. How comforting is that! So, onto new chapters! Because there is no fear in Him, the God who already knows!
Thanks for praying with me! Xo
Alisha says
Chapter breaks are hard. But you’re right… also exiting! So excited to follow you on to your next chapter and see God do GREAT things!