Alright, so this trip to Nome, AK has been amazing and honestly a huge answer to prayer. I have heard God's voice so clearly in this short amount of time, and I am so excited about what He has told me. Now, let me back things up a bit, and tell you what happened from the beginning.
So about three months ago, I bought my ticket and confirmed the trip up here for new year in Nome! I was so ready to head north again, and reunite myself with the heart I left here. I had began praying that the Lord speak to me about what it is He wanted me to do, more specifically, where He wanted me to do it. I know that I have a heavy heart for Western Alaska, and this area is where I feel at home, but I wanted to know if it is where I am supposed to live and pursue a life.
Time flew between then and last Wednesday, and before I know it I was sitting outside of my gate to head to Anchorage Alaska. I did not know how to feel at that moment to be honest. It really hadn't hit me then that I was going back to the place I called my home this past summer. I was going back to the place where my life and future took a turn in a mission direction. I was so ready to go and hear an answer to prayer. But, that is the funny thing about following Christ; what you expect to hear from the Lord is NOT at all what you typically come to understand He is telling you (More on that in a bit).
So I had the hour flight to Anchorage and was able to spend the night with a Really good friend of mine, and it was so good to catch up with him. Then, the next morning (Dec. 26th) I met up with Kayla and Aubrey (Other Summer missionaries), and we flew to Nome together. It was quite incredible how that happened simply because all of us booked our flights separately, and we ended up being seated right next to one another. After some much needed laughs and catching up conversations, we landed in the most amazing place on the face of this earth; Nome, AK.
The first familiar face I saw when I landed in Nome was Aaron, and man was it good to see him. He taught me so much this last summer, and I was overjoyed to see him again. That is kind of where the answer to prayer began to happen. Now, to take a turn in the story, I am going to begin explaining the methods the Lord used to answer my request for answers on my life path.
That first day when I got to Nome, I was told to lead a youth Bible study on the spot, and the Lord put a verse in my mind: 2 Corinthians 5:17. It talks about new beginnings because of the blood of Jesus. When I remembered that verse, I was reminded about how we are simply to seek Christ everyday no mater what has happened behind us.
Later on in the week, Aaron preached on New beginnings again, and He said that we should not pursue our own desires, but simply seek God. This spoke to me because I am easy to forget that. There are times when I begin to focus so much on what I want instead of what He wants.
Like this summer, much of my time here was spent at the Nome Children's home, and I was able to have an AMAZING conversation with the director of the home. The director shared with me her testimony, and it truly touched me because she is a missionary, and had no idea where God was going to take her. For many years she served in a tropical area as a teacher, and then ended up in Alaska and has been here for 18 years. Now, I am not going to share the intimate details of her story, but the big picture was this, Don't focus on where or what you will be doing there, but simply constantly remind yourself to stay open to go. Keep yourself open and willing to answer ANY call God put on your heart. As a missionary, He may tell me to go somewhere that I ABSOLUTELY DESPISE, but as a missionary, I WILL answer that call no matter what.
Also, throughout the week Linzay came and has spent some time with the family here in Nome, and she is always a huge encouragement for me, just like all my other missionary friends here but for some reason, when it comes to spiritual advice or direction, God has blessed me with Linzay and Aaron, and through them, God spoke and has told me exactly what I was not expecting to hear, but I am excited about what I heard. He basically said to not worry about the future, but be open to what He says. Be F.A.T. (Flexible, Adaptable, and Teachable).
Through many friends and others here in Nome, God has reminded me not to waste my life asking Him what His will is for my life! Instead I should use my time to seek Him, and from there His will shall come naturally. It will become more and more apparent as I grow closer and closer to Him.
My time here In NOME 2013/2014 has been incredible, and this is MOST DEFINATELY NOT my final trip here (unless God decides it is), and I am excited to come back. Prayer has been answered so vividly, and although it was not answered the way I expected, it was answered in a way that excited me and allows me to keep seeking the future waiting for the surprise of where God will take me.
I would be a huge liar if I said I was not afraid of the future, because I am, but one thing all of us need to remember is...(answer to my prayer)--> we are not the author of this amazing Book we are a character in. God is that author, and He can write this book better than any of us think we can. So, after this trip to Nome I have realized a few key things. 1.) I am a Missionary, not just later on in life after college in a foreign place, but NOW and FOREVER 2.)I do not need to stress about where or what or when I will be a missionary, because God will let me know and reveal things in HIS time! 3.) The only way I will ever be a successful missionary (Sharing the gospel with those who God says need to hear it) is if I am OPEN TO ANSWER ANY AND EVERY CALL. that third one is a bit scary, because there a billion situations I can think of that I would hope God allows me to steer clear from, but If He says go, I AM GOING TO GO.
Happy new year everyone, and I love you all so much!
Praise God :)
