Open Doors

Missouri wasn't necessarily at the top of my list of places that I wanted to move to once I left Illinois, but the door opened and I walked through it. I didn't exactly run through the door, nor did I jump up and down. Rather I got down on my knees and begged the Lord to prepare my heart for what He had for me next. To give me a willing heart. And to be able to lay my fears and doubts before Him. In the process of that I can't say that there weren't moments where I was frustrated because there were. But God took those hurts, those not so pretty moments and sculpted something so beautiful. It is because of God's grace, provision, and peace that I get to share what I get to do after this school year.

In mid-August, I will be moving to Independence, MO (about an hour from Kansas City) to work as a mentor/big sister at a Christian boarding school for troubled teenagers. http://shelterwood.org/mentor-program/ I will be working with about 20 other mentors, and will have direct care over a handful of residents, while also overseeing the other residents at the school. I will live at the school, I will take part in therapy sessions and other activities with the students. I will help create a healthy and safe environment for them where they can achieve their goals and work toward returning home. There is so much more to this role, that I am excited to learn about. I know that what I'm walking into will not be easy, yet I believe that the Lord is already preparing me and that He goes before me and with me to equip me for this ministry. 

Not only am I excited about this next step in my journey, but I have this final semester as an RD to keep investing in the women here. To love deeply and to be a part of the Olivet community. I am so thankful for that. I know that God has used this as a training ground and as a spring board for my future. I will forever be grateful for the people and experiences here that have shaped who I am and that have pointed me nearer to the Lord. 

I'm thankful that the Lord is a healer. I'm thankful that He brings light to darkness. For the hard seasons and the good ones. I'm thankful that God has plans for my life that I can't see, that He knows my heart and my desires and that He is the one in control. I'm thankful that friendships aren't bound by a place and that He has placed people in my life who will forever be in my life no matter where our physical location may be. 

I am choosing to trust- day by day, moment by moment in my God who loves and cares about me so deeply.