A lot of people have been asking me, "So, what are you up to these days?" and "So, what comes next after graduation?" Here are some updates to satisfy any curiosity you may have.
Let's just say that God has been up to some amazing stuff in my life and in the lives of those around me.
Zambia
Last April or May I started to get a strong urge to look into going over to Zambia for a longish-term mission trip/internship after I graduated. In the past several months, nearly $5,000 has been donated by friends and family who have stepped out in faith to support what God will be doing through me when I go. I will be leaving on January 14, and I will be fortunate enough to travel with another family from my home church who has created a non-profit organization that is working to provide computers to college students at the International Bible College of Zambia. Travelling with these guys is a HUGE answer to prayer, as I was terrified to travel over there by myself.
Over there I will be working with Jeff and Heidi Smith and their family, who have been full-time missionaries out in Zambia for about a year now. This will be an amazing opportunity to work on social work skills, as I will be able to work in orphanages and preschools with little kiddos and possibly also go into the capitol city of Lusaka to interview social workers to see what their system looks like there in comparison to here. I will also get firsthand knowledge and experience of what full-time missions looks like and hopefully see if that is something I would like to do in the future.
Post-Zambia
I have started the process of applying to go to graduate school at UNI, which would start this summer. Praying that I get accepted into this year-long program! So I will be sticking around Cedar Falls and finding a job, likely working with kids in a school setting. My goal in getting a Master of Social Work degree is to one day become either a play therapist or an elementary school counselor.
The Good
As I've already said, God has been up to crazy stuff lately. The biggest theme in His teaching as of late is that ultimately this life is not about making us feel comfortable - it is about God being glorified. God has been urging me over and over again to get out of my comfort zone and it has been extremely rewarding. While I have already begun to make plans for my future, I know that God can (and probably will) change these plans to better suit His need. I am excited to see what He has planned and am regularly praying for my desires to become one with His.
The Bad and the Ugly
While there have been an abundance of blessings and joyous occasions as of late, there have also been some struggles. There have been moments in which I have wavered in my faith and struggled with doubt because of certain circumstances. That said, I could use some prayer when it comes to leaning on God - particularly in the areas of financial stability and health concerns of some of my loved ones. It can be so difficult to let go of control and I wrestle with that daily.
Long Story Short
PRAISES: Fully funded for Zambia, won't be travelling alone, potential job opportunities when I return, an amazing church family in Waterloo, countless chances to get out of my comfort zone, supportive friends and family, potentially going to grad school, a gracious and loving God that never ceases to provide.
PRAYERS: Renewed faith and reliance on God for the things I can't control (everything), safety in travel to and from Zambia.
Thank you for taking the time to read this!
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