Here's To Diving In.

I'm happy to report that I have officially booked my plane tickets! I'll be leaving on August 1st from Orlando at 10 AM :)

I'm not ashamed to admit that once I finally received my flight confirmation I cried like a baby. Immediately it sunk in, the solidification that I would without a doubt be going. There were no more " Maybe this will happen" thoughts or "God should I's?" It was like a breath I wasn't aware I'd been holding in was released and I inhaled deeply for the first time in months.

That's not to say that fear didn't try to creep in at that moment, because unfortunately it did show its ugly face. There is something altogether intimidating about taking part in anything that is bigger than yourself. With it comes surrender of control and a trust that surpasses logical explanation. Doubt surfaced for a millisecond, not in the fact that I was meant to be taking this trip, but in my ability to do so. I wondered if I was capable of leaving for two months. More so, the notion that I had nothing to offer to the people of Alajuelita came to mind.

God met me in that place once again and turned a time of potential panic back into one of worship.

He took me on a trip over the past year, through the steps we've taken together to get to this place. The nights spent in prayer, the disappointments, the hours doing Spanish homework ( I'm still not great at speaking it, honestly), and all of the choices he's guided me through. Showing me that his fingerprints are covering each and every experience that I've encountered over the past year. They have all added up to bring me here because he has been orchestrating them perfectly, I know that without question.

He reminded me of everything that happened in Costa Rica last March. About how there was an undeniable sense of home and a feeling that I was meant to be there. In knowing that I will be returning, I realize just how much I have missed it. My heart has ached for the people within that community and will continue to until I see them again.

If getting to go back and be a part of their story once more means combating my own selfish doubt and fear, then I will do it willingly. I pray that on this trip I can serve, love, and pour out as much of myself for them as possible. I know that God will equip me with the strength, the wisdom, and all that is needed to do so; because in the end the things he will accomplish through me for his purposes are far more important than my own capability to do them.

There's a song by Sleeping at Last called Watermark that I've been listening to a lot lately, mostly because the bridge inspires me so much. I'll leave it for you to ponder on:

" Dive in with your eyes closed, for the life you were born to claim.

And the water will be paralyzed by the courage you contain. 

The flutter of your earnest heart, it will fill the silent seas.

And all will be restored in your melody."

Yard Sales and Expectations

    I would like to start off by saying I have an entirely new appreciation for anyone who has ever put together a yard sale. The last week was a hectic, crazy rush spent preparing for my own. Fortunately, I am blessed with many friends and family members who are more than willing to help and not force me to go at it alone. It was humbling to see the amount of support offered by those around me, whether it be through the giving of items or their own time. I'm truly grateful for everyone who lent a hand :)

    All in all, the preparation for the sale was a lot of fun. It involved rounding up everything that others had donated, organizing it as much as possible, and most importantly getting the word out there. A good friend of mine named Parker and I made hand-painted signs to hang around Jacksonville ( I welcome any excuse to do something creative or to use a hammer, really).

 A group of friends and myself made it to the Murray Hill Theatre parking lot bright and early to set up tables Saturday morning. There were at least three truck loads of items to display, ranging from golf clubs to televisions to parakeets. Since it was so hot outside, we offered free lemonade to customers as they walked around and took donations. We raised a total of almost $600.00 in a little over four hours, something that I'm still baffled by. As if that wasn't enough, afterwards there was still a number of items left, enough for another yard sale entirely.

As with most things, God taught me a lesson through this process. You see, I am a perfectionist with a genuine love for attention to detail. With that comes high and heavy expectations, set more for myself than anything. I often get overwhelmed when faced with a task such as this, especially when it begins to go in a way that I don't believe it should. Suffice to say, there were a few mishaps both during this week and on Saturday. At one point, I began to feel stressed and to wonder whether all the work I was doing was in vain. In that moment, a thought came clearly to my mind, one I can only attribute to God:    " Remember who you are striving for." It was simple but exactly what I needed to hear. It reminded me that all of my efforts were not for my own purposes;  that the inconveniences and obstacles which appeared so great at that time would seem small once my feet touched Alajuelita's soil.  Because the work I was doing was not for my own glory. My motivation was and is this : that all of this is being done through and for the one who inspired me go back to Costa Rica in the first place. 

More than anything, God remained faithful; reminding me of a truth I so often forget. That he, the same God who is walking alongside me as I make strides for him, is powerful and able. Any effort made would be empty and in vain were it not for his involvement. Because he was present and working, though, the expectation I had for how much we would raise was exceeded. Not only that, I have such a surplus of donated items left that I am planning another sale within the next month!

This is who I am striving for.

"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. "

 Ephesians 3:20-21

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A Beginning.

I’ve never been an avid blogger. Truth be told, I am the worst at it. Blame it on a severe case of ADHD or a busy schedule, it’s just not been a first priority. So, keeping up with this will be a challenge, but one I’m willing and ready to take.

As you may ( or may not) know, this summer I will be traveling to Alajuelita, Costa for two months to work with 6:8 Ministries as an intern. This blog will be my way of communicating and sharing every step of the journey it takes to get there, from fundraising to finally arriving. It's been a lengthy process thus far and I'm so excited to share each event that happens. More so, I'm grateful that God would let me take part in such a wonderful adventure.  I hope my story inspires and encourages you in some way.