The First

I've never done a blog before. So here I go..

The main reason for this blog is to keep my friends and family up to date with what will be happening as I spend 6 months in China serving as a volunteer in a foster home designed for children in need of major surgery and teaching English to college-aged students. For now, I will try to give everyone an idea of where I'm at and how everything has happened up to this point. Those of you who know me well know that I'm scatterbrained, so there is no predicting what may come out on here. Bear with me, though, as I hope to produce something both informational and encouraging for the people who have helped me start "becoming" who God has made me to be.

This is the first thought I wanted to share-

After 22 years, the only thing I know for sure is this: God is good. He is my past, my present, my future. He is love and protection, provision and guidance. He is the freedom to make choices, even when I choose poorly. He is grace, even when I don't want it. He is the One that catches me when I fall. He takes the blame when I'm at fault. He lifts me up. He pursues me, waits for me, fights for me, cries for me, lives for me, and died for me. I don't always remember these things, and I'm sure most of you don't either. But that's the awesome part about who He is. He reminds me when I need reminding, gently or not-so-gently, depending on how stubborn I want to be.

If I had to pick one word to describe my life right now, it would be "perfect." Not because I have everything I want or because there is no sadness or struggle, but because I've realized that God has been working EVERYTHING in my life together in this perfect story that I have finally caught a glimpse of. Things are clicking and plans are coming together. Hopes I had given up on are being fulfilled in such a way that I can only stand in wonder. I am leaving for CHINA in less than a month!

I know that there are going to be major struggles along my path of becoming. But I also know that the God who has brought me to this point will NEVER leave nor forsake me and will be with me until I am with Him forever. I am a beloved child of the God who has made me with every gift and every flaw so that I can be used for His glory. And I can't wait to do it!