Recharged.

I had an awesome visit to Dalton this week. There were a few disappointments and setbacks, but everything worked out. I am doing better than expected with the long drive. I am actually loving long road trips and I think the more I drive them the shorter they will seem. Also, although I would love to be around my friends all of the time, it is so exciting to visit because the anticipation is overwhelming. So, now I feel recharged and ready to continue my mission here. I have been encouraged, loved, and filled with brotherly and sisterly fellowship.

Uncomfortable.

I am so out of my comfort zone right now. I am living with others instead of alone. I am jobless. I am in a unfamiliar place. I am away from all of my closest friends. I am churchless. But despite all of this "differentness" I am thankful. Growth tends to happen when we are forces out of the place where we feel most comfortable. I want to use this time for growth. I don't want to waste it. God, please don't let me waste it.

Opportunities to Serve Like Jesus.

It is a big change for me to be here. I have given up my independence for living with a young, married couple. I have given up from home for a military base. I have given up my friends for strangers. But through all of the things I have given up i was given in return the chance to love and serve my brother and his wife. And though i feel like i have lost much, i have not lost my Jesus. He is always with me. I miss my friends, but i am grateful to be given the chance to encourage and pray for them from afar. Maybe i will grow in prayer while i am here. It is easy to love people who are right next to you, my love for them from far away will be tried and tested as gold refined by fire now. My new journey has begun!