Lessons from Nicaragua

Over spring break I went to Nicaragua on a mission trip. The longer I was there the stronger my desire was to just come back home. I felt like my time was not being well used; I was not getting anything out of the trip and in a way I felt like it was a waste of time (this was obviously 100% incorrect). Over the course of the week over 10,500 students heard about the Lord through different presentations our team did. This is a testimony on it's own however that is not what I want to talk about.

One of the most often asked questions asked before leaving for a mission trip is what your expectations are (this is just from my personal experience). I thought long and hard about this question and realized I had no idea what I expected. The only thing I knew was that I did not want to come back unchanged. I wanted the Lord to change me for the better. I prayed long and hard about this desire during the time leading up to the trip.

God answered the cry of my heart more than I ever expected; what I now find absolutely hilarious is that I was not exactly pleased when my prayer began to be answered... I was actually pretty annoyed

God began working on my heart the minute we stepped into the airport to catch our first flight. What really blindsided me is that He did not let up one bit the entire week. God made me so aware of who I am as a person. He made me aware of my strengths and weaknesses. This was all awesome to learn, but it did not stop there... God wanted to do more in me...

I was not prepared for what I was about to be hit with. Early in the week God began to make me aware of the areas of my life that I needed to change. Initially when I was coming to the realization of all of this I was not to pumped. I'm human.. it is hard to be told that we are falling short; it is not a habit to think about our imperfections. It stinks to be called out when we are in the wrong. God did all of this to me.

The week in Nicaragua was long and hard for me, but it was well worth it. God made me aware of the areas that He would like to mold in my life. The first step was for me to simply be made aware of these areas; the next step was up to me. I had to humble myself at the feet of the Lord and allow Him to mold me.

This is not an overnight journey. Each day I wake up and humble myself before the Lord letting Him know that I'm choosing to allow Him to change me. I am choosing to give God the ability to make me into the woman He wants me to be.

I prayed that I would not come back unchanged and God made sure that I didn't. I definitely got exactly what I prayed for!

Ever have one of "those" weeks? I'm pretty sure we all have. It's the type of week that the main thing thought about during the duration is the end. It's the type of week you just want to be over... the type of week nobody wants to have because it's one of "those" weeks.

For me this is definitely classified as one of "those" weeks in my book. It's a week full of tests which require many hours of studying. It's a week with homework and projects. It's they type of week that seems like each professor thinks that their class is my only class.

On top of school I have a ton of preparation to do for the mission trip to Nicaragua that I leave for on Sunday. I'm in charge of a drama team which obviously requires practice... and the practice is definitely needed. I have to make a list of props and supplies that we need as a team for the trip... and then a few others and myself have to go out and purchase all of these supplies. Then there is the packing...oh the packing. There is also a girls night that my apartment is hosting on Friday... a night of food and other preparations for our mission trip. Saturday is a day of critiquing all of the dramas and last minute whatevers.... then Sunday we're catching a plane!

I'm extremely stressed and wiped out this week... This could make for a very miserable week if I let it. This is the thing though... I have a choice as to how I approach this week.

The way I see it there are a few choices:
1. Go through each day grumbling about how much I have to do. Think about how I can't wait for it to be over. This will no doubt cause a bad attitude and will make for a very very very long week.

2. Be passive about everything. I would miss out on a lot.. probably not do so well on any of my tests.

3. Face each day with a good attitude. Take one thing at a time... embrace the day.

I don't know about you, but I do my best to choose the third option. God has been gracious enough to give me another day and what is the point if I don't take hold of it with everything that I have? Don't get me wrong I still get frustrated. Through my frustration battles I remind myself that God has a reason for everything...

This verse always gives me encouragement...

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28