Hey everyone!
Those of you that have been reading these posts from the beginning know that the struggles with my health have been a continuous and unexpected part of my journey here in Cape Town in some pretty significant ways. I've had moments where I've been so discouraged and frustrated that I've considered going back home where I could put my full focus into figuring things out and getting healthy.
Since this last weekend, my heart has been in a much better place than it has recently been. God gave me a peace about everything and helped me to realize that I've had the wrong mindset about the situation. I had been thinking that I needed to get better before I could really start living life here and chase after what God wants me to do. But that isn't true. God can still use me - through it, despite it, because of it.
My time here so far hasn't looked anything like what I had expected or planned, but God's timing and thoughts are better than mine. He called me here for this season of my life. Maybe experiencing this here with the people that are here is part of His plans to challenge me, help me grow and mold me into the person He created me to be.
I recently watched a sermon by Joyce Meyer called "Moving Beyond Worry and Anxiety." In it, she talks about how God will do one of two things when we give our problems to Him. He'll either remove the problem or He will give us the strength, grace and ability to go through it. If He lets us go through it, then there's a purpose and something we're going to get out if it that we need.
My tendency to worry and overthink is one of the things that I've been asking and working with God to overcome. I've watched a number of really great sermons on this topic. Steven Furtick's sermon "Brave the Waves (Anxious for Nothing)" is a really great one! Needless worry about things we can't control is something I think we've probably all experienced. I love Joyce Meyer's quote, "Worry is a down payment on a problem you might never have."
All of this isn't to say that I'm suddenly completely fine with having these health issues and that it will be smooth sailing from here on out. I'm sure I'll still have moments of doubt and discouragement. I'm still praying and believing for healing and answers, but trust that God will reveal those if and when He's ready and that He has a plan through it all. He's teaching me, more than ever before, to truly surrender and depend on Him.
Switching topics, I mentioned a couple of posts ago that my story would be featured on the "Brave" website soon. It was posted last month and I wanted to be sure to give the link to anyone that is interested in checking it out. There are so many incredible stories and testimonies of faith being shared through this movement. I have been helping out a bit with the social media effort for Brave, and I continue to be inspired and encouraged after reading the stories each week!
Encounter Conference, a conference for youth and young adults, is happening Wednesday through Friday of this week. I'm incredibly excited for that! And, possibly even more exciting, my mom and brother will be arriving in Cape Town in less than two weeks! I absolutely cannot wait for them to get here.
I'm going to try to start being more diligent with posting on here. I honestly wasn't sure if anyone was really keeping up with me, but my mom told me a few days ago that people were noticing it had been about a month since my last post. It was awesome to hear that people are reading! Thank you all for your prayers and support. I would love to hear from you guys!
Below are a few recent photos!
Those of you that have been reading these posts from the beginning know that the struggles with my health have been a continuous and unexpected part of my journey here in Cape Town in some pretty significant ways. I've had moments where I've been so discouraged and frustrated that I've considered going back home where I could put my full focus into figuring things out and getting healthy.
Since this last weekend, my heart has been in a much better place than it has recently been. God gave me a peace about everything and helped me to realize that I've had the wrong mindset about the situation. I had been thinking that I needed to get better before I could really start living life here and chase after what God wants me to do. But that isn't true. God can still use me - through it, despite it, because of it.
My time here so far hasn't looked anything like what I had expected or planned, but God's timing and thoughts are better than mine. He called me here for this season of my life. Maybe experiencing this here with the people that are here is part of His plans to challenge me, help me grow and mold me into the person He created me to be. I recently watched a sermon by Joyce Meyer called "Moving Beyond Worry and Anxiety." In it, she talks about how God will do one of two things when we give our problems to Him. He'll either remove the problem or He will give us the strength, grace and ability to go through it. If He lets us go through it, then there's a purpose and something we're going to get out if it that we need.
My tendency to worry and overthink is one of the things that I've been asking and working with God to overcome. I've watched a number of really great sermons on this topic. Steven Furtick's sermon "Brave the Waves (Anxious for Nothing)" is a really great one! Needless worry about things we can't control is something I think we've probably all experienced. I love Joyce Meyer's quote, "Worry is a down payment on a problem you might never have."
All of this isn't to say that I'm suddenly completely fine with having these health issues and that it will be smooth sailing from here on out. I'm sure I'll still have moments of doubt and discouragement. I'm still praying and believing for healing and answers, but trust that God will reveal those if and when He's ready and that He has a plan through it all. He's teaching me, more than ever before, to truly surrender and depend on Him.
Switching topics, I mentioned a couple of posts ago that my story would be featured on the "Brave" website soon. It was posted last month and I wanted to be sure to give the link to anyone that is interested in checking it out. There are so many incredible stories and testimonies of faith being shared through this movement. I have been helping out a bit with the social media effort for Brave, and I continue to be inspired and encouraged after reading the stories each week!Encounter Conference, a conference for youth and young adults, is happening Wednesday through Friday of this week. I'm incredibly excited for that! And, possibly even more exciting, my mom and brother will be arriving in Cape Town in less than two weeks! I absolutely cannot wait for them to get here.
I'm going to try to start being more diligent with posting on here. I honestly wasn't sure if anyone was really keeping up with me, but my mom told me a few days ago that people were noticing it had been about a month since my last post. It was awesome to hear that people are reading! Thank you all for your prayers and support. I would love to hear from you guys!
Below are a few recent photos!
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| The two at the top, Alex and Daniel, were in Cape Town for a week after finishing five months of missions work in other parts of Africa. They're both from Germany. It was awesome getting to know them and hearing their stories. God opens doors in such incredible ways! |
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| I have the most incredible team! This picture was taken about a week ago as we were saying goodbye to one of our volunteers from England. She was here for three months as part of a gap year program. |
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| My friendships with Phil and Norbert continue to be such an incredible blessing. God sure knows how to bring the right people together! |
