I didn't even post my favorite Yearly Recap for New Years!
Things have been super busy to say the least.
I left to go home for Christmas on Thursday, December 22nd. Wednesday, December 21st also ended up being my very last day at Red Bank. Just a few days before, I had felt the Lord leading me to resign from my job on staff there. It was a really difficult decision to make, but I have peace knowing that it was the right decision. Its been super sad to not see my students, but as much as this was a plan for my life, this was His plan for theirs as well.
The Lord knows us better than we know ourselves, and He knows how much I can handle, and the fear that these chapters of uncertainty can cause in my heart. Everyday when I feel panic begin to rise in my chest, I feel His presence and peace overwhelm me. I'll find a new job.
Last week I went to the Passion Conference in Atlanta. Again, this is yet another way the Lord has taken care of me. What an encouraging and uplifting few days that was. There were 45,000 people in the Georgia Dome! I'll never forget looking out at everyone, hands lifted high in worship. It was beautiful and sucked the breath right out of my lungs. God is big and His glory is worth any sacrifice I might have to make in order to follow Him. I was so encouraged by the messages brought by John Piper, Beth Moore, Francis Chan, and Louie Giglio... and oh-holy-night Christine Caine spoke on human trafficking, and I thought my heart was going to rip out of my chest. It was powerful. The conference was great!
*not to mention how awesome it was to see Hillsong United again, or to be present for David Crowder Band's last time playing together.
Right after Passion, I went home, went to bed at 9pm, and woke up early the next morning to head to South Carolina with Seth and the band to sing with them at a Disciple Now. I was tired. I ended up losing my voice almost as soon as we got there. I was overwhelmed by the things I didn't have the chance to process at Passion. Maybe I should have stayed home.... BUT I'm grateful the Lord allowed me the opportunity to go. I might have been a little bit emotional and sensitive offstage, but it was an honor to stand before students crying out to Him as we led them in worship. Seth did such a great job, I think I got saved again one night (I kid, I kid!) I love those boys, and I love seeing them use the gifts the Lord has given them. It's also always great to see students we met at camp, and to reconnect in those relationships.
Now, I'm back in Chattanooga trying to figure out what's next. I'm grateful for my parents' support and encouragement and patience..... my sisters have got it all together, what the hey diddle diddle is up with me?! Pray for me. Of their three daughters, I'm the one who talks the most about my faith in God, and yet I'm the one who seems to be the most lost. I hate that... but I know the Lord is trying to teach me something through this. Just gotta keep moving forward.
Here are some pictures from Passion:
Opening Session of Passion 2012
The picture absolutely cannot adequately describe how overwhelmingly beautiful that sight was to see!
John Piper spoke in my Community Group one morning, so I got there early and sat right up front.
I was pretty stinkin excited!
Woohoo for camp reunions. These are 3 of the guys from the band from my summer of '06 at Fuge.
I hadn't seen them in FOREVER and so it was GREAT that we randomly bumped into each other in the massive crowd. So happy at Hillsong United!
Seth, Allison, and me having fun in the upper deck. Not gonna lie, it was beautiful to see everyone dancing and jumping during worship, but when the ground shakes, and you're that high up, it's a little scary!
Louie speaking at the closing session... ya know the one where he told us we raised 3.3 million dollars to the cause of freedom from human trafficking! My heart broke over the stories and statistics we heard throughout the conference. It was awesome to see the response of people when they heard about it.
0 comments:
Post a Comment