Well… I’m honestly not really sure how to start this post, because there is a lot on my heart right now. But I guess I’ll start with some big news.

As most of you probably know by now, I committed to doing Journey School Year 2!

At the end of August, I will be leaving again to serve for nine months in Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Nepal, Thailand, Indonesia, and Australia. Even typing that out still feels kind of surreal. Sometimes I just sit and think about all the places God is sending me and it honestly blows my mind that He would invite me into something like this.

Some of you reading this might not be surprised by this decision, especially if you’ve heard me talk about how much I love this program. Journey School has truly changed my life.

Before coming on this trip, I was saved and I knew God. I had a relationship with Him, but if I’m being honest, I didn’t really understand what true discipleship looked like. I didn’t fully understand what it meant to surrender every part of my life to the Lord or what it meant to walk closely with Him every single day. And this season has shown me so much.

Living in intentional community where we are constantly pouring into each other has been one of the biggest blessings. When you live this closely with people you see everything, the hard days, the joyful days, the moments where we’re growing, and the moments where we’re struggling. But instead of hiding those things, we bring them before the Lord together. We pray for each other, encourage each other, challenge each other, and constantly push one another to want more of the Lord.

And slowly, God changes you through that.

Don’t get me wrong, I love home. I love my friends and my family so much. But there is something so special about being here in a season where life is fully centered around the Lord, ministry, and community. When you spend every day worshiping, praying, serving, and growing together, it shifts your perspective on everything.

And guys. God is just so cool.

Our time here in Guatemala has been incredible. The Lord has been doing so much in my heart during this time. He has been teaching me what it looks like to trust Him more deeply and to surrender things that I didn’t even realize I was holding onto.

This past week most of us have gotten to meet the World Race Gap Squad that is also here in Guatemala right now. Getting to meet them has honestly been such a gift. We’ve gotten to spend time worshiping with them, talking with them, and even doing ministry together in different places.

We’ve served alongside them, prayed with people together, shared stories, and just encouraged one another in what God is doing. They have so much joy and light and are so on fire for the Lord. Its so amazing to see.

Being around them has been so refreshing. There’s something really powerful about seeing more people our age who are just fully pursuing Jesus with everything they have. The conversations we’ve had with them, the worship times together, and the moments of ministry have been so encouraging. God is moving in so many places and raising up people who want to live their lives fully for Him.

The other night we all went to a worship night that happens here every week in Guatemala. It’s so amazing how many ministries are here and how many people gather to worship the Lord together.

At the end of the sermon there was an altar call, asking if anyone wanted to give their life to Jesus.

Two people in the room raised their hand and said yes.

And the moment it happened, the entire room just erupted with excitement. People were cheering, clapping, shouting, hugging them, and celebrating what had just happened.

And I just started crying.

At my home church, people give their lives to Jesus every week. And that really is such an incredible thing. But if I’m being honest, I think I had gotten used to it. It became something I expected to see, and I don’t think I fully realized how big of a moment that actually is.But standing in that room and watching those two people choose to follow Jesus, something about it just hit me differently. Everyone around them was cheering, clapping, shouting, hugging them, celebrating like something amazing had just happened. And it had. It suddenly felt so real to me. Their lives were changing right there in that moment. Everything about their future was different because of that decision.

Following Jesus is the best decision someone will ever make. Nothing else even comes close.

In Luke it says that there is rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents. And standing in that room, hearing everyone cheering and celebrating, it felt like we were getting a small glimpse of what that celebration must be like in heaven. Because salvation isn’t something small. It’s everything.

After the altar call we did something else. The speaker asked everyone to stand up and put their shoes in the air.

At first everyone kind of laughed, but he explained that our shoes represent the places we are willing to go.

As we held them up we repeated together:

“Lord, I will go wherever you want me to go.”

Then we entered into a time of worship and prayer.

Over the past month I had honestly been feeling really stressed about my future. I know that God has something amazing planned, but I hate not knowing exactly what that is yet. I like having plans. I like knowing what comes next.

But the Lord has been stretching me in this season to trust Him in the unknown.

To trust that if I am walking with Him, He will lead me exactly where I need to go.

During worship I found myself on my knees just surrendering everything to Him, my future, my plans, my expectations, my fears. Everything.

And in that moment the Lord revealed something to me so clearly. I felt this overwhelming sense of joy, and at the same time it the Lord showed me a vision of continuing with Journey School for another year. It wasn’t confusing or uncertain. It was just clear. There was so much peace in that moment and so much joy that came with it.

All I could think was, thank you Jesus.

I still can’t believe that God would choose to use me to further His kingdom. Out of all the people in the world, He chooses broken people like me. And somehow He still uses us for His purposes.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

This whole season has been one of surrender and trust. Trusting that if the Lord calls me somewhere, He will provide the way. Trusting that He will provide the finances. Trusting that His plans are always better than my own.

Because at the end of the day, everything I have already belongs to Him.

As I step into this next season, I would really appreciate prayer.

Prayers for peace as I continue walking forward in faith.
Prayers that I can finish my time here in Guatemala well and stay fully present in this season instead of constantly thinking about what’s next.
And prayers that the Lord would continue shaping my heart for what He has ahead.

I will also be starting some new fundraisers soon for Year 2, so be ready for that!

In order to participate in the next year of Journey School, I will need to raise $17,900. That number might seem big, but I truly believe that if the Lord wants me there, He will provide every single dollar needed.

If you feel led to support me, I am still currently fundraising for the remainder of my time here in Guatemala as well, and the link is below. I would be so thankful for any support.

Thank you all so much for praying for me, supporting me, and walking alongside me during this journey. It means more than you know.

I’m excited to see all that the Lord continues to do.

Love you all!