27 Things I Learned Being 27
These are the last words I will say to you all here as a mere 27 year old. My birthday is this week...YEY...and in timely fashion its got me thinking about the past year of my life. Birthdays always seem to do that to me...make me reflect on the year I just had and set goals for the next!
Confession: This past year was ROUGH, it has been marked with anxiety, depression, and loneliness and if I'm not careful thats what it all blurs together to be...but when I really sit and think about what this year was beyond the hard days it was monumental for me and my walk with the Lord.
Looking back its so easy to see the hurt, the pain and often times dwelling on that I forget the good, the little victories, the recovery, the hope, the journey. This year was a doozy and I am so ready for what 28 will hold, but before I move on its only necessary to mark the year by more than the hurt. I want to take a moment and let you all into the things this year has taught me!
Here are 27 things that my 27th year taught me:
1. The hardest days bring the greatest amount of growth
2. There is always more hope
3. Community is good, but its not everything
4. When God is all you have, you realize He is all you need
5. Traveling the world will show you more about yourself and God, but it isn't going to fulfill you like you think it is.
6. There is beauty all around you, you just have to look up to see it
7. If you can't buy it you can probably make it...this year i learned how to make practically everything i missed from America!
8. Without forgiveness community will suffer
9. I can eat out by myself and its not that awkward
10. Doing things alone is empowering, but its still more fun to do them with friends
11. Being vulnerable takes bravery
12. Confession is liberating
13. Learning a new language is hard and humbling, but its good for me to think differently and learn something new
14. You won't always want to read your bible, but do it anyway there is life and hope in there that you are missing
15. Its ok to ask for prayer when you need it
16. Gossip really does destroy...don't do it
17. Forgiveness is hard...like really hard
18. There is a time for inclusivity and exclusivity...You don't have to be 100% transparent with 100% of your community...or even 90%...or even 50%, you can choose, so choose wisely!
19. Everyone is feeling lonely in some way, the enemy is just making you feel like your the only one so you continue to isolate...instead invite
20. The Lord is faithful and he will give you what you need when you need it, do not fear. He's really got your back!
21. Goodbyes don't get easier
22. Friendships change, its ok, some are just for a season
23. Accountability is life giving
24. Discipline is hard...like true discipline!
25. You can't rush God's timing...patience will make you stronger and make you realize its not about you, its God.
26. Missing babies, weddings and big life moments of friends is hard, but them missing my life is just as hard, I can't feel guilty for being here and following the Lord
27. The Lord is good always, this year and next!
Ok...that was actually way harder than I thought it would be! But I knew it would show me that God is faithful and good and that I have much to be thankful for! I hope it fills you with hope as well!
Prayer Request:
This coming week is our Overnight Camp! This is the biggest spiritual event we do all year. The one time we get to be really intentional and spend a lot of time with our students talking about Jesus! We have it for all students Grade 1-12 and I am asking you to join us in prayer for this time!
On Wednesday, I will go with the older students (Grade 6-12) to a retreat center for 2 nights! We will be talking about Selflessness, and how Jesus displayed the most perfect act of selflessness for us. Would you pray that the students minds would be open, their hearts soft to the gospel, for the teachers to have strength and make the most of every opportunity over the couple of days!
The younger students begin their camp on Thursday after school and spend the night one night. Would you pray the same thing for them, for their hearts to be soft and their minds open to the gospel and that the teachers would be filled with strength! :)
This is one of my favorite things we do at GES and I'm excited to build deeper relationships with the students! I will be sure to keep you all posted on how it goes!
If you read this far....you are probably my mom and Brittany...haha just kidding, hopefully there are a few others of you as well! But I just wanted to take a second before I post this to say....
THANK YOU! Thank you for your support and encouragement! I really do love all of you!