Reasons for Joy

I am trapped between a lot of different feelings and situations at the moment. On one side, I am humbled and in awe of the incredible amount of blessings in my life, especially over the last semester. I am thankful for the last 4 months and how I've gotten to see not only myself change, but those around me as well. On the same note, I am so happy to have the next two weeks to really enjoy this chapter of my life. But at the same time, in about two weeks, this chapter of my life is going to come to a close.

Am I excited for what is next? Absolutely. More than I can possibly express. But am I also wholeheartedly sorry to see this part of my life come to an end? Of course. It has been so good, and I have seen and learned so much of God. This season has changed me more than I can possibly say. So yes, I am heartbroken to say goodbye to something so, so, so good. But, I currently find myself giving too much attention to the sorrow of goodbyes, and not nearly enough to the excitement and anticipation of what God is going to do in my life next. So, here are some reasons that I have to be joyful and excited.

1. Roadtrip to Chicago. Hopefully some friends will be able to go with me. Otherwise, me and mama Tucker will be road tripping to Chi-town in the next few weeks to apply for my visa.

2. I get to work as a camp counselor at Merri-Mac this summer. It's in North Carolina, and is beautiful. I get to teach horseback riding lessons, rock climbing, and be a counselor for a cabin of girls. I get to spend all summer teaching them about how much, how incredibly Jesus loves them. Amen.

3. I get to spend four months in Spain. Not to mention gallivanting around the rest of Europe. I get to see some of the places that I have been dreaming about. Pure excitement.

4. Wilderness First Responder is in 20 days. I get to take an 8 day class that will teach me how to keep someone alive, MacGyver style.

5. When I come back in January, I am not going to be the same person that I am now. In the last four months, God has changed me so much. I believe it was in preparation for the next nine. When I come back in January, I will have spent an entire summer giving myself and my heart away in community and teaching about Jesus. I will have traveled a world that I have never seen, and lived in a culture I've never experienced. I'll have been removed from everything familiar that I have ever known, from language to religion to culture. I will not be the same girl that I am now. And I'm so excited to see the kind of person that God is going to make me through all of that. He is going to move in BIG ways, I can feel it. And I cannot wait to be part of it.

I'm going to resist the urge to keep typing. Mainly because I have way too much going on in my heart to express, and it wouldn't make sense anyway. And I know that I need to take a moment to embrace all the reasons God has given me to rejoice.

For in the arms of my dear Savior, there are ten thousand charms.