A Human’s Perogative

What do you want to be when you grow up? It's the question we've all heard over the years repeatedly. For a few years my answer was lawyer, and then it was teacher. Then it was veterinarian, a writer,  wedding planner and a full time missionary. I guess it's safe to say that as we change over the years, so do our goals and aspirations. I've always been the kind of person that likes to see the long term plan. I was the kind of person that applied an entire year early to college. Well, the more I learn on this trip, the more I find I am no longer that person. Before I came on this trip I had the grand idea of going to college for four years to get an intercultural studies degree. Well, guess what happens when you don't go to God with your future plans? You end up emailing your admissions counsellor asking for a dorm deposit back, that's what. God pretty much hit me with one out of left field after that. I was on the fast track to Kenya! So Kenya for 3 months sounds amazing right? Well it wasn't good enough for me. I needed a plan for the following semester. So as I was preparing and getting excited for Kenya,  I applied for another bible college that was closer to home and easier to save for financially. I pretty much settled for an associates degree in theology major, because I didn't really know what else to do. So just when I think my life is finally figured out and perfectly planned. God hits me with this amazing trip and shows me what actual listening is. I guess I could say I had selective hearing when the Lord spoke to me prior to this trip. God has been so good to me and has revealed so much to me about myself and about my future. So now I really know where I am supposed to be. In the very beginning of this trip the Lord really placed women's ministries on my heart. And well, it's still there. I realized that I would love to work with a pregnancy concerns center or a rehabilitation center for women. Through this trip, God has showed me how little resources there are for women in difficult situations here, and also at home. I also learned that more Christians abort than non-christians. This breaks my heart, and I want to change that. So the Lord has definitely put women's ministries on my heart, but that's not all. Recently, God has been telling me to persue my passions and to not settle for a "good idea." So I am going to go to art school, learn about what I love and get better at it. There may not be a perfectly logically plan for after that, but I am trusting that God is going to tie both things together for me in a perfect way. I am so excited for what God's been doing in my life, and although my plan has change numerous times, it's better late than never right? I am so thankful to be a part of team Kenya, because maybe without them encouraging me and God, I would be stuck in nice looking plans instead of God's will. They say that it's a woman's perogative to change her mind, but I say its anyones. If you don't listen to God and do what's right for you, how can you ever fully enjoy your life? The plan God has for you might be harder or completely different than what you thought, but embrace the change! He has plans to prosper us! On this trip, I've not only learned who god wants me to be, but who I am becoming right now. I used to be so afraid to speak God's word because I thought I'd sound like a hypocrite. It sounds silly now, but I thought I was wise enough to be a  prayer warrior or a powerful speaker. God has completely changed my perspective. I don't love public speaking, and maybe I never will, but I feel challenged to speak out what the Lord has for me. It says in 1 Samuel 3:19 "And the Lord was with Samuel his whole life. He let none of his words fall to the ground." This trip has taught me so much so far, and I can only pray that he's moving in you too!