Hey!
These posts are pretty sporadic and I apologize. I am clearly not the blogger my heart longs to be. So many things trump blogging for me. Maybe one day... *sigh*
I wanted to get a post up about what my plans are for the summer. Since (hopefully) most of you are checking this out due to the card I sent you with the blog address on it. :) If you received one of those "thank you" cards, then I really do - from the very bottom of my heart - thank you for your support. I could never have gotten to go on such an adventure without it! If you haven't received one - I promise that it is coming soon!!! (Please forgive me?? I've had a lot on my plate... but I promise, one is coming!)
Here are some directions:
1. Check back here once a week - I'm going to hopefully be able to post about that much. Probably not so much during camp... but I will try to keep up!
2. If you want updates in your e-mail about when I post, there is a little place on the side bar to your right. You can get a little note telling you I (finally) updated my blog! :)
3. Subscribe!! Or "Follow" my blog in order to get updates. It also makes me feel special when it says I have new "followers" and then you can also leave comments - which is super encouraging.
Alright - now onto the fun stuff!!!!! I think I'll be writing this in two parts... "How I Got Here" and "What is JV?"
From the beginning -
I received an amazing job in October!!! Birthday present - say what?! I went through some pretty intense interviews for a job at Kohl's Corporate. I gladly accepted it when I got "the call". (There may or may not have been a happy dance that went along with it...) They told me I could choose when I started and I chose the June class. I was SO excited to have my dream job, at my dream company, doing what I knew I wanted to do!!
Then it hit me. I had just returned from a year in Europe - I was finishing up my final year in college. And then... then I would go start a job. It was this huge burden - was I ready? What about the things I had always wanted to do? What about moving to Europe? What about this? That? Major. Panic. Attack. I had no idea where it had come from or why it was happening! I was just thrilled with the prospect of this job a few days prior, why was I freaking out now? I knew there was only one thing to do... pray.
I kept asking God what His plans were for me and why He had allowed everything to align so perfectly only to cause me anxiety! He kept placing missions on my heart. No way, God. There was no way I could take time to go do that! Maybe I could do something locally - through my church? It became very evident that was not the plan. It was settled. I was going to have to start searching for mission trips or keep feeling anxious.
My search was not an easy one. It started with me telling my parents - they were beyond thrilled. Okay, that was easy. Next came my upcoming career... I e-mailed them and asked "Would it be possible to move my start date to September?" Mind you, this is a Yes or No question. Their reply? "You have been moved into the September class - see you then!" Maybe this is what I'm supposed to be doing!
My parents and I started searching for mission trips online and through friends. My dad sent me one that was an internship in Guatemala for the summer. It was intensive training for those who wanted to become missionaries. I requested more information and started getting really excited about it! A whole summer in Guatemala?! I had originally thought I would be going to South America or Africa... but Latin America had never crossed my mind. As I prayed about it, the more confident I was that this is where God was sending me. The info came while my mom was visiting and I remember ripping open the package and devouring the information. I set down the packet and this feeling of dread washed over me. This was not where I was supposed to go. I left the information on the table and asked my mom to read over it and tell me what she thought. She came up to me later that night and I could tell she wanted to chat. She tip-toed around it for a bit and then came right out and said, "JoDee, I don't think you are supposed to go to Guatemala." Well, if that wasn't confirmation, I don't know what else would have done it. Crap, now what?
I had been volunteering with my church's youth group. I was pretty much at the end of my rope and thought, Maybe my youth pastor will have some advice... right? He sent me back a lengthy e-mail and directed me to Dave. He is our Mission Director at my church. Dave and I worked with the youth together, but I didn't know him very well. After youth group one week we sat down and talked. He told me about this organization called Josiah Venture and gave me some literature. He said to pray about it and let him know. Hmm... is this where God wants me?
I was pretty excited about this new prospect. I called my mom and dad and told them. We were praying about this organization and summer internship. I read through the literature and the website. I was waiting for that impeding feeling of dread to wash over me. It never came. Instead, immense peace washed over my heart. Is this it, Jesus? Is this where You want me to serve? A few days later, I received a call from Mike. He was from the organization and just wanted to check in with me - tell me a bit about the program and answer questions. Wow! I decided to apply and then I received a call from Josh - also from the organization. We talked for a while about the position, what it would entail, and what to expect. He sounded like God had really worked through his life and it was so affirming! Thank you!!! This is definitely where You want me!
I cannot say it was easy - there was a lot of doubt and the Evil One definitely tried to sway my decision. However, I have an amazing support system... probably most of you reading this! So, thank you - you had to deal with my tears and anxiety attacks... my doubts and fears... listening to me talk hours on-end about this internship... my bajillion prayer requests. You are the reason I'm still going, still have a smile, and still trusting in Him. Your kind words, encouragement, prayers, and yes, hugs, have helped me through the hard times.
I'll write about JV soon!
Until then,
xx
No comments:
Post a Comment