Finally Home.

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." ~ John 16:33

There are days that I ache for Heaven. I can't even begin to wrap my mind around what Heaven will be, yet I know it will be perfect. No more pain. No more suffering. No more sadness, dying, fear, confusion, fighting, doubt, tears, or loneliness... And in their place: unimaginable joy and peace in the presence of our Father.

Now on the majority of days I am completely contented to continue living my life out here on earth. I have been blessed far greater than I ever could have asked for with absolutely amazing friends and family. Both my hometown and the college I now attend are fantastic. I have experienced wonderful adventures and met many new people. There are places I now call my second home, and people that I gladly consider family. I guess what I'm trying to portray is, life as I know it really isn't all too bad on most days. But I know there's something far better. A place where I will make my home for eternity.

"In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." ~ John 14:2-4

"You know the way to the place where I am going."

I love people; I love to love people. I want the people I love to be with me forever. While I know there will be temporary separations, I want to know that ultimately I will see those that I love again. This is why I cling to the hope of Heaven. "Many Christians have misunderstood this word hope, believing that it denotes wishful thinking. Nothing could be farther from the truth! As soon as I became your Savior, heaven became your ultimate destination. The phrase hope of heaven highlights the benefits you can enjoy even while remaining on earth. This hope keeps you spiritually alive during dark times of adversity; it brightens your path and heightens your awareness of My Presence. My desire is that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Separation sometimes comes in the form of the death of a loved one: family, friend, neighbor, classmate. These times can be difficult and filled with inexpressible grief. But there is also Joy to be found in knowing that we will one day meet again. I know the way to heaven; His name is Jesus.

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." ~ Matthew 5:4

"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted..." ~ Isaiah 61:1

 

Aunt Belle, so sweet and oh so kind.

 

Always kept others on her mind.

 

She put up with a lot and a baby or three.

 

The advice that she gave was always free.

 

Because of her Savior, she knew how to love,

 

She, a gift to our family, was sent from above.

 

So loved by all who knew her, she will surely be missed.

 

But now she's dancing with her King, experiencing eternal bliss.

 

So we mourn for our loss and that's how it's supposed to be.

 

Why mourn for her when she's better off than me?

 

Don't feel like I can say it, but it really is okay.

 

We have the hope of heaven; I will see her again some day.

He knows my name..

Just in case you forgot how breath-takingly gorgeous it is.. :)

First, a quick background recap: This past summer I was blessed with the opportunity to spend two full months in a place that I absolutely have fallen in love with~ Kodiak, Alaska. Through the North American Mission Board, I worked with Frontier Baptist Church, Kodiak Filipino Bible Church, their two wonderful pastors, the Kodiak Baptist Mission and the lovely people that work there, as well as many others along the way. Ecstatic about continuing relationships I had already formed and creating many new ones as I lived alongside those in the Kodiak community, I set out on my adventure!


My first 24 hours in Kodiak were disastrous. Not in what actually happened~ Just in my panicked mind and trembling heart. Don't ask me why, but I absolutely fell to pieces. I doubted why I was there; I felt inadequate, underqualified, and way too self-conscious, shy, and broken to do anything; I was terrified. And crying. There was definitely a lot of crying. To say I felt out of my comfort zone would have been the understatement of the summer.

Well.. The day after I arrived, a team from Wasilla, Alaska, came to Kodiak to conduct two Vacation Bible Schools (one in Kodiak and one in Old Harbor). And again, I was afraid. I didn't want to be in their way or make them feel like they had to include me; I didn't want to try to fit in where I didn't belong.

*I love when God has other plans*

 

The family of God is amazing! By the end of the week - much sooner actually - I had a group of new friends that will last for eternity. I found my place in the group and never once did I feel like an outsider. God created bonds that felt like they had existed for years, and by the time they departed a week later I said goodbye to close friends.

 

Vacation Bible School at Native New Life!

Sweet Giselle with me and Buddy :)



Bible Stories with Miss Melissa

Rica, Sophie, & Maggie :)

Oh the dandelions...

 



Sienna and her dandelions.

:)

Matt Matt --> Precious. :)

Sweet girl!

God knew how badly I needed to meet and work with this team at the beginning of my summer! ~ I don't know how I ever would have made it without them. They encouraged and uplifted me. I was able to observe their passion for the work they were doing. They reassured me when I expressed fear and provided support that I needed in those moments.

 

If I am to be completely honest, I would have to admit that I wasn't so pumped when I heard that there was a team coming in so soon after I arrived. I thought it might be better if I had a few days to get settled in a little bit first. I couldn't have been more wrong; God knew that. Before I sent in my summer missionary application to NAMB, before I was accepted, before I set foot on Kodiak soil in 2012~ God knew what my fears were going to be. He knows my shortcomings and when I fail. He knows what I struggle with no matter how hard I try to hide. He sees every tear that falls and every doubt that crosses my mind. He knows my strengths and my weaknesses; He knows what I need. He knows my name.

 

"I have a Maker, He formed my heart. Before even time began, my life was in His hands."

 

"Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." ~ Luke 12:7

 

"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" ~ Matthew 6:26

 

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." ~ 2 Corinthians 12:9

 

YOU have a Maker; He formed your heart; He cares about you. He knows your name!