Expectant of 2019

I am so expectant of 2019. It has been a year that I have looked forward to and it has always seemed so far off; the year I would graduate college. Now it holds so much more weight and importance since it is also the year I will move across the world to Bucharest, Romania. God taught me so much in 2018. He taught me patience (still working on it), how to grow where I am planted (still working on it), and how to rest in His peace and trust in Him and His plan (definitely still working on it). So much of what I learned I am obviously still working on, but it is such a joy to look back on the past year and see all the growth. In the words of Morgan Harper Nichols, “She does not know what the future holds but she is thankful for slow and steady growth”.

In this coming semester, I am looking forward to being present. With so much to look forward to, to worry about, and to plan, I want to be present and take in this last semester at Baylor. I am excited to spend intentional time with my dear friends at school and invest in this last semester whole-heartedly. It will be hard to do this when there is so much to be looking towards, but I will lean into God’s truth that I have meditated on this last year, Grow where you are planted.

I also look forward to growing in faith. There is so much change coming my way with moving to Romania this summer. I would love to say I am just so excited and overflowing with joy about it, which is true, but there are a lot of other emotions that come to mind when I think about this move. I am anxious, scared, and at times doubtful. There is no doubt in my mind that Satan has put many thoughts in my head such as, “Are you sure about this?” and “You will be so lonely” and “It will be so hard”. But what I know is that God will fulfill every need I have in Romania, physically, spiritually, and emotionally. I am expectant that my faith in God and his plan and sovereignty will increase so much this next semester in preparation for my life in Romania. In addition, by raising support I will be forced to lean into God’s promise of providing for me.

Lastly, I look forward to growing in diligence and discipline. I am not typically one for new year’s resolutions because so often I fail. But I am wanting to grow in my diligence and discipline in many areas of my life, including my daily time in the Word. Last year I grew in my dedication to reading the Bible daily, but this year I want to do even better, not going one day without being in the Word. I plan on reading the Bible in a year through the Story of Redemption ESV Bible as well as doing other Bible Studies and regimens. I am so hopeful and eager to see what God teaches me in this next year through His Word.

Thank you to those who have already pledged to support my ministry in Romania through monthly support. I am so thankful for your commitment to support all the amazing work God is doing in Romania! I am excited to kick off my fundraising in the coming weeks, so keep a lookout in your mailboxes for letters on how you can support me or head over to my support page! If you would like to be added to my mailing list please shoot me an email on the contact page of my website!