Now that my time in Georgia is over, I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on what I have learned these past three months. Since being home I’ve answered all the questions asked by friends and family but when asked what I’ve learned it’s honestly been hard to put it all into words. As I continue to sit with the Lord about it, I am just reminded that each day He was and is calling me deeper in relationship with Him.

I have learned how to trust in Him and His word as He called me deeper each and every day. Everyday I would wake up and have to choose a spirit of yes. 

One of the first sessions we listened to in Gainesville was about abandonment and surrender. The speaker Deon explained that while eternal life is free, walking with Jesus costs everything. He proceeded to ask us, what are you willing to give up? We followed the session with worship and the whole time I felt the Lord saying “I want it all. I am calling you deeper.” I left for the race feeling like surrendering 9 months of my life was enough, but the Lord quickly revealed that he wanted every part of me, even the parts of me that I didn’t yet know about myself. Jesus literally gave His life for me, so He deserves nothing less than every part of me. Little did I know he would be walking me through this for the next 3 months. 

I arrived at Gainesville knowing close to nothing about myself and simply feeling lost. But as I went deeper, the Lord continued to reveal to me who He says I am and continued to reveal to me passions ordained by Him. 

He showed me what it looks like to walk in boldness in who He is. 

He replaced lies with truths about what He says.

When I woke up and surrendered the day to Him, His presence was highlighted all the more.

Each day He called me deeper. Each day He taught me more about myself. Each day He called me to walk in boldness. 

When I gave it all up, He simply replaced it with more of Him.

While this is something I continue to learn each day, it is crazy how different my days look like when I give it all to Him. Life can be so fruitful when we walk in full surrender and say yes to going deeper with Him. 

I am expectant for this next season of life and am excited to carry what I’ve learned into it. Ecuador here we come:)