Here we go on an adventure...

      This past week I had the opportunity to go to Rhode Island and help staff the TeenPact Rhode Island class (TeenPact is a christian leadership school that trains youth to understand the political process, value their liberty, defend the christian faith and engage in the culture at a time in their lives when typically they don't care about such things. Check our their website http://teenpact.com) I was invited to help staff this class four days before I had to arrive. I was given one day to decide if God was calling me to Rhode Island. If you know anything about me, I dislike making decisions. I would much rather have someone tell me what to do. And so, I started looking at flights to RI and the surrounding areas. Every time I thought about this adventure, I would get excited! On Wednesday, my dear brother found a flight to Baltimore, Maryland and I decided to follow God's call and GO! 
      After a day of trying to get everything done and pack, I left early Friday morning. I WAS SO NERVOUS AND SCARED AND WORRIED. BUT GOD WAS WITH ME THROUGH IT ALL! On Friday night, I stayed with an amazing family in Annapolis, Maryland and they welcomed me into their home. That night we had a Valentine party! The next day two other guys and I drove up to RI. 

      
A picture from the plane. God is good! - - >             
     I don't really know how I made it through that week. I didn't really know that much about the RI government except that they call their capitol the statehouse :) Because of encouragement from the staff team and strength from God, the week in Rhode Island was a fantastic week! ALL GLORY BE TO CHRIST! There were times that I didn't know what I was going to say or what I was going to do, but those are the times that I cried out to God and He showed up! 

< - - this is a picture of the godly young people I had the opportunity to work with in RI!

       God taught me this week to GO! He reminded me to TRUST in His plan that is beyond our imagination! When He calls you to do something, all the pieces will fall into place and He will walk you through that adventure! Just remember to hold tightly to His hand and He won't let you fall! And sometimes, the adventure God has planned for us is the adventures that can happen right at our doorsteps. I had this idea that adventures only happen when you go, but that is not true. Open yourself up to God and His will for you and the adventures He wants you to be a part of will fall into your lap. JUST BE OPEN TO HIS LEADING! And always remember that He created YOU for a purpose that ONLY YOU can fulfill! He created you with special strengths and abilities to impact people only you can impact. 
      It might seem like you don't have any 'adventures' right now, maybe life seems very mundane and boring. "How can God us me?" you might wonder, " How can I impact the people in my life right now?" I struggle with these thoughts too. Rest in the fact that God uses these times of doing 'nothing' to teach us and prepare us for the next adventure. Take the time today to listen to God and ask Him what He wants you do to and where He wants you to go. Remember that maybe He wants you to stay in your community and love the people He has placed around you! Always know that wherever you go, even if you are just sitting at home, God is with you!

"The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you..." -Deuteronomy 31:8