My apologies.
I have neglected blogging. I know I have. And I apologize for that.
In reality, it seems as though everything is careening out of control...in a good way, just a crazy way.
You see, in exactly one week from this moment, I will be in South Africa over my Spring Break. The University Ministry Center has planned Missions Trips for quite some time now. I personally never thought I would end up going on one.
Well, I'll just tell you the story.
My friend, Steph, told me one day in Church History class that she was going on the South Africa trip. She then proceeded to tell me that I should go along. Now, you see, I had seen the announcements about the various trips being offered, but I always go to Florida with my family over Spring Break, so I never paid close attention. I didn't even know what the South Africa trip was about. Steph told me I should apply to go and that the application was due in two days. I smiled and politely dismissed the idea from my mind.
A week or two pass and I begin to think about the trip. I remember thinking, "Well, since Andy (my brother) will be in college, he won't be able to go to Florida with my family either. Maybe I should have considered going on the trip. Ah, but it's too late now."
Fast forward a few days. I'm sitting in chapel the day before Thanksgiving, anxious to go home and take a break. When a slide shows up on the announcement screen, saying that the South Africa team needed a guitar player to come and help lead worship and that they would take whoever was interested.
My heart stopped and I looked at the ceiling. I have had tons of experience leading worship and I have played the guitar for years. I often don't know what God wants me to do with my life and I tend to doubt a lot and be stubborn about somethings. But at that moment, I knew deep down that I needed to go on the trip. I knew that regardless of work and assignments and my family's plans that God wanted me on the trip, but I didn't make any full decisions. I am fairly cautious when it comes to experiences way outside of my comfort zone.
So with a bit of shakiness, I talked with my mom about it on the phone and she told me that it sounded like a wonderful opportunity. I talked with my bosses at work and they told me I could have off. I filled out an application and talked with the team leader, and...believe it or not...my uneasiness turned into excitement.
And now my funds are raised, my sunscreen is purchased, and I have a ticket in my name to fly to London, England and Johannesburg, South Africa.
I'm not going to lie...I'm getting nervous again. I had a restless night on Sunday, tossing and turning, beginning to doubt (as I am so prone to do...bleh).
But when everything seems nuts, I try to remember that God wants me there regardless of my fears. And this is just one more grand opportunity to trust him. I am very excited to go and love on the people and my fellow team members. I am curious to see what God will do. I am taking a camera and will journal, so hopefully I will have some cool things to share when I return.
But as for now, it's all a big unknown...
Unknowns are scary. But not when I know my God and he loves me.
