Hello fam!
Merry Christmas & happy new year! I hope everyone has had a great holiday season and praying the Lord has blessed each of you in special ways.
Just wanted to send a little update as things have come up and plans have changed.
So as you know, I have been doing the Foundations of Counseling Ministry School in YWAM Perth. This past week we were able to celebrate Christmas as a whole base and as a school, welcome back teams who traveled to the nations, and prepare for our own school’s outreach. We are coming into our final week of lecture phase, with this topic being Grief and Trauma Counseling. Then January 4th, we begin outreach.
Originally, Brody and I were planning to go to India, but for a few different reasons those plans have had to change. Unfortunately, last week I re-injured my back and now have a back sprain. Over the summer, I was rear ended so I’ve been seeing a chiropractor and was healing great, but when I went to take off my shoe it ended up spraining my back. Sounds silly, and I’m still not sure how exactly that happened, but I’m learning to trust God even in the unexpected and thank Him even when I don’t understand. The chiropractor said it will take about 6-8 weeks to heal. Because of this, Brody and I felt to repray about outreach and felt God was leading us to stay in Perth. We are in a team of 5 incredible individuals and are looking forward to what outreach will look like as we focus on serving the city of Perth and using our counseling skills.
It is definitely a quick change of plans, but we know God is guiding us in this process and are excited to see how God will move in the city of Perth. God has been challenging and teaching me so much over the past 3 months and I am learning in new ways how to surrender my thoughts to Him and rest in the unexpected. I am still learning how to do this honestly, but I know it is good and I am choosing to trust. This has been a season of unexpected situations, emotions, and processes, many challenging but also some so sweet.
God is teaching me to not focus on the challenges, but to expand on the moments that bring joy and delight to my heart. That has been such a source of strength to persevere, yet also a source of rest. These moments often come through relationship, whether that be with God, with Brody, or with friends. Focusing on the moments that bring joy and being thankful for them helps them last longer 😉
So with that being said, even though I’ve never felt so weak emotionally and physically, God is helping me to have hope, to expand on joy, to live gratefully, and to choose trust. It does not always come easily, but it brings comfort knowing God is my refuge even in the moments of trial.
Furthering Grace 