I’m Back!
Wow. Well, hi guys it’s been a while. There’s a lot we have to catch up on. Last time we talked I was about a month out from coming home, and now I’ve been home for almost 4 months. Yes, I know, why did it take me this long to give an update? I’m asking myself the same question.
We ended our time in El Salvador for about a week. That was a week full of emotional roller coasters. We were soaking in every last moment with each other, reminiscing and creating more memories. But also a huge part of it was spent thinking about coming home. I’m not going to lie, I was scared. I had no idea what was next for me. To be perfectly honest, I didn’t want to come home. Yes, I missed my family and friends, but home reminded me of the girl I didn’t want to be anymore. The old Addy. I didn’t want to step back into those environments because I didn’t want to step back into the same sins.
The Lord was doing a lot in my heart that week. The one word He kept telling me over and over and over.. was patience. I didn’t know what for, but I assumed it meant for my next assignment. Because I had no clue what that was going to be. And where I’m at now, leaving for that assignment in exactly 7 days, wow God is good. And He really does give us the desires of our hearts. I kept praying about what I was going to do when I came home, and the Lord kept telling me to just spend good quality time with my family and friends. I didn’t know why, I was like well duh, I want to hangout with them. Then I realized that was probably because my next assignment was going to take me out of my hometown.
So then, I came home. The hardest part about coming home was actually my family. Yes, I was so glad to see them, but I was so different. I feel like going on the trip changed every aspect of who I was — even my shaved head for crying out loud. But my family only knew the old Addy. So their expectations were the same, and for a second there I started acting the same. The Lord nipped that in the butt real quick, but it forced me to cling to Him. Because now even my closest relationships were changing, so how could I handle that on my own? It’s taken a while, but over the summer I think it’s all headed in the right direction. I’ve realized that I am only in control of myself, and I need to remain right with the Lord at all times. That’s the only way I can be a light and an example for those around me. My patience is constantly being tested, and oh wait, there’s that word again.
Since being home, I’ve had lots of work to do. Helping friends and family with work, helping my parents, purging just about everything I own, seeing friends from the trip, and now having two serving jobs. I’ve got to be a part of some really great ministries and I’m so thankful. Serving along side my brothers and sisters in Christ is always so encouraging, as well as pouring out into the community. It’s really been amazing. So what is addy doing next?
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Well, when I first got home, I thought there were two options for the fall. The first was Kona, a discipleship program with YWAM in Hawaii, and the second was a discipleship program and college classes in North Carolina. As I was praying about Kona, I really felt like the Lord was saying that I wasn’t ready to go yet. So that’s on pause. The second turned out not to be a great fit, and there were more closed doors than open. So my ideas weren’t any good, and then this is where it gets good.
North Carolina was still very heavily on my heart, and I had a feeling I would end up there. I also knew that whatever I was going to do in the fall, I would most likely be taking classes. For a long time, I’ve known that if i’m getting a degree at all, I would want it to be through Southeastern University, specifically a ministerial leadership degree with a focus in missions. I really did not want to be a full-time student, and I wanted to be serving in ministry consistently.
So, my parents suggested just looking into online classes. Then I found out that SEU partners with about 200+ ministries and churches across the country, and 5 around the world. Students can go to these partner sites and take classes while serving in ministry. Well, doesn’t that sound right up my alley? Generally, the classes would be online, and housing depends on which site you attend. Come to find out their best, and one of their biggest sites is in North Carolina. It’s a mini campus, and the church provides housing! How cool.
The church they partner with is called Multiply Church, and they are all about multiplying churches and disciples. Again, doesn’t this sound right up my alley? Yes, yes it does. Within the week, I was accepted and committed, and there was so much confirmation from the Lord.
So yes, in 7 days, I’ll be moving to North Carolina to pursue a ministerial leadership degree focusing on missions, and I’ll be serving in ministry at the same time. There’s only 5 girls total on campus, but about 50 ish in the program. The church has houses that we are renting, but they are set up as fully furnished airbnb’s. No stinky dorms? Hallelujah. And I am so excited.
There’s so much more I want to share, but that’s all for now. I would appreciate some prayer for this next season as I transition. I am also support raising for my time in North Carolina if any of you feel lead to donate, reach out to me and we can talk more! I’ll be posting more consistently with updates as I go, and thank you guys for loving and supporting me well. I couldn’t do any of this without you. It’s good to be back, until next time!
