so i am officially 22.
and i just turned 22 surrounded by pictures, journals, letters, and memories of Peru sprawled out all over my bed. tonight is the night i will get letters ready to be sent out to my supporters...they so deserve it.
this year has been a whirlwind. full of laughter. full of growth. full of some quiet moments. full of some not so quiet moments. full of best friends. full of people i meet in lines at the store. full of new friends. full of a little bit of awkwardness. full of His light. full of His goodness. full of His joy.
i don't think i have ever experienced God work like i have this past year. thinking back on it...blows me away. how quickly i forget what He has done. He opened and molded my heart in ways that i never imagined. He opened doors that were nailed shut. He gave me so much courage and boldness that it was evident to my professors. He gave me favor with the people who were suppose to hate Christians. He gave me so much more than i deserve.
i never thought i would be here at 22. i had way different plans in high school. and those curve balls He throws...get us on the right track. i didn't plan on staying in Albany for college. i didn't plan on caring about others so much it hurts. i didn't plan on being a sociologist. i really didn't plan on carrying around Bibles, water, food, and blankets in my car while being "that" girl they all know. and i surely didn't plan on living a life everyone else is scared to.
there was a point where i decided to get over myself. and i quickly threw out that dream we all or most have of....a big house, rich husband, white picket fence, four white kids in private school uniforms. because that is not what He has for me at.all. my life is way different. already it is. and i am pretty sure there is no telling what He has up His sleeve next.
this year friends and support have come from all over the place. states away. missionaries in countries i knew nothing about. people adopting that read this very blog and emailed me to pray with and for them. why He chose me, i will never grasp.
i feel like there are things states away. countries away. people that i will come in contact with that are going to change my life. things that are going to be fulfilled this next year. and i am stokedddddddddd.
my heart is so full. its running over.
i feel like this is how life is suppose to be. faith He has it. running full force into what He has in store.
if i don't risk it all this year, it's pointless.
He's so worth it. every bit of it.
He can do it ALL by Himself but He chooses to let me help and for that i am so grateful for this 22 year of life.
3 comments:
you are most right, ivy! it's all or nothing for Him. can't wait to see what that looks like in your life! the crazy (a.k.a. God) way we met still blows me away & is one of my favorite "online" stories :) happy happy birthday! keep running full force into what He has planned for you.
Ivy, I am amazed at your wisdom for such a young person. I wish I had it together as well at age 22. I hope you life life fully and develop your relationship and faith!
If you wanted to you probably could raise contributions for your family in Peru. Many churches like to give but need to have people they trust to see it is given for the right reasons.
Thanks Carol
Iam following your blog.
I pray every person's thought life hits this point (In one way or another).
"there was a point where i decided to get over myself. and i quickly threw out that dream we all or most have of....a big house, rich husband, white picket fence, four white kids in private school uniforms. because that is not what He has for me at.all. my life is way different."
This is great Ivy. Really blows me away. Thanks for the blog. I am very proud to call you my sister and I always pray for you.
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