It’s been A LOT for me

A PHONE CALL 

Guys! HIII, how are you? I hope you’re doing well!!!!!!! Over these past 3 weeks in Chicago, I have started at least 4 blogs that I haven’t been able to finish. There have been so many experiences that I’ve wanted to share but so much has built up that I’ve had to deconstruct and kind of start all over in my mind. In my last blog I told you I’d be telling you about this drawing:

but before that, I wanted to tell you a little about my day today, and some of my thoughts.

Thank God for the day of rest! There isn’t a day that goes by that my squad and I aren’t out and about in community and doing ministry, so today I spent my day resting, watching The Legend of Korra for a few hours, and then, *ring ring*. I got a phone call from my dad!!! We were able to catch up on how we’ve both been doing and wow, it did me so well to hear him! It was a call that literally got me up from my feet to now blog about it right now haha! After we hung up, I thought, “God, you legit orchestrated this unexpected call to bring more healing, encouragement, and confirm to me answered prayers” Praise the Lord, right?!! Reminds me of the verse my team and I memorized 2 weeks ago: 

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24, 25. 

Thank you Jesus, that I could meet my dad today through the phone and that we stirred one another toward love and good deeds, and so many other great things!

SAYING YES 

Guys, there are so many cool things happening and I’ve had to give myself grace in this time of adjusting and processing this new life in ministry and community. My team and I started ministry straight away after leaving training camp and honestly, it’s been a lot for me on every level, spiritually, emotionally, physically, and any other -ally word. I’ve had days where I’d like to go back home for a few hours and come back all recollected and brand new. Hahaha! After you say “yes” to a trip like this, you’re saying “yes” to little and big things you didn’t even think of. In my case, I didn’t think that saying “yes” to living in community would be as hard as I thought, but I’ve given myself grace! I’ve been getting better at saying “yes” to being vulnerable and opening up when I may not want to, and I could give a list of many more things!! I want to let you know that my team has been so easy to love; we’re a sweet team called The Oakies, short for Oaks of Righteousness (Isaiah 61:3). We stir up one another everyday toward love and good deeds and ahhh, I am so happy to know they love me even with the bad and ugly, and that I love them very much too. 

HE WALKS WITH ME

Guys, now to the drawing!!! This drawing represents something so deep for me that I was able to really understand and perceive at training camp. 

God is my actual Father in heaven, and I am His child, and I walk by His side because of Jesus.

It’s hard to explain, but one day at training camp as I was going on a walk alone to spend time with God, I could perceive Him on my walk, as my Father. “My walk”, became OUR walk, and He held my hand, and this incredible joy came over me as we walked together. 

I know that He walks with me, holds my hand tight, and doesn’t let me go. He wants to orchestrate adventures for and WITH me, out of love. 

Those who have Jesus can experience this incredible love from the Father.

I pray you were encouraged by this blog. Friends, I miss you guys, but I’m having an awesome time. Please continue praying for us: for good health, love and wisdom, and for the filling of Holy Spirit as we do ministry. On my next blog, I’ll be talking to you guys in detail about our first week and second week in Chicago about how ministry has looked like for us! 

With so much love,

J