Today marks one year since I have started my blog! My first post was dedicated to announcing that I wanted MORE out of 2014. I reread journal entires where I told God to give me courage to be whoever I was supposed to be this year for His glory and to give me wisdom on how to give more for Him this year. When I originally prayed those words I had no idea what I was getting myself into and I wouldn't change it if I could.
When I returned to school in January my church I attend continued to encourage us to pray about their spring break mission trips they were offering. One Wednesday night, a man from Arizona spoke about the lostness in his area and encouraged us to go on the college mission trip to Tucson. That night I felt God calling me to go and thinking about my prior promises, I said "yes" 30 minutes later. The week I got to spend in Tucson was unforgettable. I got to share the gospel with people numerous times and pray for people who needed encouragement. God took me out of my comfort zone that week to remind me: His work is not finished and we, as His laborers, must continue to fight the good fight.
In mid-January, I got an e-mail that I never expected. I had been hired as an intern for Agua Viva Ministries in Ensenada, Mexico. I probably read the e-mail hundreds of times, but still couldn't believe the journey I was going to embark on that summer. I finished up spring semester full of good memories with friends, but in the back of my mind I was constantly trying to decide I was ready to spend two and a half months in a place I had never even heard of with people I hadn't met for the sake of the gospel. May 27th came and I boarded my first flight. Before I knew it, August 10th came and I was flying home. My days in Mexico are some I will never be able to forget. I made life-long friends, new brothers and sisters in Christ, and memories I will hide in my heart forever.
Soon after returning home from Mexico, I started my junior year at Union. I didn't know it then, but this past semester turned into the hardest academic season I had experienced since starting Union. I definitely was relying on the Lord for my strength! Apart from school I had many wonderful times with friends, including visiting a dear friend in Chicago on my fall break. For my 21st birthday, my roommates (and others) surprised me by taking me to a pumpkin patch that afternoon. It was a sweet, restful time!
Now as I am spending some quality time at home, I have had a lot of time to reflect on all the Lord has taught me this year. As I think about specific moments, my mind still goes back to my prayers where I asked God for an abundance in courage. In Paul's letter to the church of Ephesus in chapter 3, he ended his prayer in a way I have tried this past year to remember. I started this year expecting God to do so much and show me His love, but He still exceeded my expectations. Ephesians 3:20 reminds me that I serve a big, gracious God that loves me more than I could ever imagine.
Blessings,
Chelsea
