Thank you Jesus!

Wow, only two weeks into training camp… that is so crazy to me. I feel like I have been here for at least two months in the best way possible, I want this to never end. I can’t even comprehend nine more months that seems so long but I have a feeling once we get out onto the field, time will fly by. The very first week I was so unbelievably tired and would wake up exhausted I think just because I had to get acclimated but this second week has actually been so fruitful and rewarding. Something I neglected back home was the sabbath. I was always just go, go, go, was never home, and was always dragging. Here at AIM, the sabbath is something we all have to do once a week and honestly I think that’s what’s allowed me to grow the most. Usually a sabbath for me looks like waking up and immediately getting into the word for 2-3 hours and then spending about an hour in prayer. After prayer I usually spend a couple hours practicing guitar and trying to learn new songs (something that actually used to some what make me mad when I would mess up but now that I’ve allowed Jesus to control and speak into every part of my life, I’ve genuinely found so much peace, joy, and comfort in). On our first sabbath, our squad got together and did our own church service with us students being the ones to actually give the word. Praise God, I had the amazing opportunity to speak on communion, something I’m actually very passionate about. I’m not going to lie, when I was practicing I kept messing up and I was honestly so scared to get up there in front of everyone and speak but as I prayed and gave it all to God, I told Him that I wanted nothing I say to come from me but that everything I say actually come from the Holy Spirit speaking through me. I was immediately covered with this blanket of peace and I got up on the stage and I couldn’t even tell you everything I said because it wasn’t me even speaking, it was God. It’s so cool how we can pray to Him and He just immediately answers like that. Thank you Jesus! This week, everyone on the squad got roles, the role I was given: Worship Coordinator. I literally could have never seen myself doing something like this but they actually told us before the deadline because they wanted us to pray about it and see if it was something that we thought the Lord would also want for us. I prayed about it for three days and again, just felt this overwhelming sense of peace over it. I’m like, God, what the heck? This is so weird. But now I can’t even imagine doing a different role! The past two weeks have taught me forgiveness, repentance, patience, confession, commitment, community, and just over all, how to love better and show compassion for people on a deeper level. These next few months are going to be extremely challenging but God is THE way maker and He has already won the battle against the enemy so I have nothing to be afraid of or coward from. The enemy is a liar but Jesus is THE truth and my identity is in Him. I love all of you guys, friends and family, and I can’t wait to hear what God is doing in all of your lives too!