So I love adventure....

In deciding what I wanted to name this blog, I realized fairly quickly that I wanted it to have something to do with Isaiah 61. I have kinda taken that Scripture to be the theme for my life--or should I say, I would like it to be the theme for my life! It talks about a messenger, someone who knows God has put it on his heart to announce a year of Jubilee, where debts would be canceled, brokenness restored, where joy would replace despair, and that this good news would be announced to all. If my life could have one role, I would love for it to be similar to that messenger. Just reading it stirs up a sense of purpose and excitement within me.It started a long time ago....

When I was 6 years old, I attended my first Celebration Midwest (a conference held annually by Newfrontiers). Back in that day, it wasn't Celebration Midwest, or "family camp", it was simply called "Warrensburg", as it is held on the UCM campus in Warrensburg, Mo. I was in the children's meeting. I don't remember anything else about that meeting except standing during the worship when a song started playing. It was about the favor of the Lord, and His desire to show His love to mankind, to restore them, free them, and give them joy instead of their sadness. I didn't know it at the time, but it was almost word for word Isaiah 61. During that song, I felt God clearly bring to mind South Africa. I didn't really understand how or why God spoke that into my heart, but I knew it was from Him. I remember telling my parents when they picked me up that someday I was going to go to South Africa.

As I grew up, I never forgot that desire. In 6th grade, I spent the first half of the year researching and learning about the country as part of a "nation notebook". I wrote papers throughout high school and college on the country, or similar issues regarding the whole continent of Africa. There were times I was really wanting to go, and I looked into a bit--but God never really opened that door (which was so good-His timing is perfect).

When it became more apparent that God was leading me to St. Louis for college, my mother actually was the one who noticed that my university had an exchange program with a college in South Africa. Being the first in my family to move away at 18, I remember feeling so overwhelmed and scared about going to the "big city" that I couldn't even think about that, and actually forgot all about it. After my freshman year, I was living with Seth and Shannon during the summer and woke up one morning with Isaiah 61 on my mind. The next few days I couldn't stop thinking about it. The following Sunday John Lanferman spoke on it at Jubilee, and suddenly I remembered my mom saying something about an exchange program. I checked it out online then met with a study abroad advisor, but would have to wait until the next summer to find out if I could afford to go. God kept me very very busy this last year with being an RA, but it was always in the back of my mind (just ask Gret, Chelsea, Myers, or anyone at Oak Hall!). I knew it this was a God-given desire, and I was praying about it quite alot over my sophomore year.

June finally came around, the month I would know if I got the scholarships I needed. I checked my student email every day! Finally, at the very end of the month, I got the email while on vacation with my family. I had the funds to go. I didn't have a surplus, to the point where I don't need to wonder abut the fact that I won't be working for 6 months, but enough to at least get going, which was more than enough for me!

14 years after God broke in on a little 6 yr. old, He is opening this door. It's an adventure I've waited for for quite a long time, but I'm so glad I never went before now; I can see so many things God has done to help me become the adventurous person I am today. Since that first conference, I always loved Isaiah 61. I love the hope it infers, how it shows Gods' heart toward man. I also love that He uses us to show others that hope and truth, how He invites us in on His big adventure. My lifelong dream of going to South Africa is hardly anything in comparison to His amazing plan! I just want to be along for the ride and be used anyway I can...


"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,

to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,

and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor...."

....Sounds like quite the adventure to me :)