Ever have that friend that just seamlessly became a part of your life?
That’s my Kristina! We became friends quickly and thus, her family was my family.
So when I saw them all at the airport, I couldn’t help but to smile and give hugs!
Oh my stars, I have missed them SO much!!
We just picked up the relationship right where we left off; with hugs, coffee, LOTS of laughter, and deep chats.
What did I expect out of this visit? Just a lot of catching up and encouraging each other really. After all, I did repeat “I’m just along for the ride!” from the very start of this trip, and I meant it! I had NO idea what was going to happen and who God would introduce me to, but I was going to be present and available for it all.
I got the opportunity to meet her parents, her tribe, and her co-workers. God opened the door for me to get to share my heart many times while I was there. One of the coolest parts is that I felt like one of the bunch with every conversation or meeting! It felt as if I had known them for years.
During the visit, I even got the chance to have one-on-one time with one of my bonus girls. Cooking, baking, bougie coffees, antiquing, painting, and some really good talks. I enjoyed every bit of it!
What I didn’t expect? The pastor, staff, and elders to take time out to get to know me, ask me questions AND pray for me. What a heart-hug to be prayed for and encouraged in the faith!
When I was asked what steps I took to become a missionary, my response was I didn’t. Let me explain. God told me years ago, “It starts at home.”.
That meant I needed to work on loving God, learning to love who He made me to be, and loving all those He brought into my life. I didn’t always love others well. But I was always learning how to love better.
It took me learning to be relational and intentional. It took me learning to lean on God through some very tough moments. It took a lifetime of saying yes to small things that God asked of me, to reach the biggest yes yet! It took getting out of my normal routine and comfort zone at times. It took learning to be okay with being “inconvenienced”.
It took years of God working on my character for me to keep saying yes, even while I hurt. Even while on the ground serving in Kenya, and being so far away from my tribe. It is not easy to keep saying yes, but it is always worth it.
God showed up in SO many ways on this trip! In conversations, through my surgeon’s office staff fighting for me and setting up everything while I was out-of-state, and through every connection (even if I don’t yet know how far those ripples will go).
Even if nothing else comes of this trip, I got it all! I got time with extended family, I made new friends, I got to see God’s hand move from a different state, and I got my soul refreshed! I got to to celebrate my precious bonus girl turning 21! I got to see a wedding venue with my other precious bonus girl, and how amazing is that?! And I got to pray for my bonus son, who got so stinking tall! LOL I got to enjoy good food and great fellowship with other believers. And I got to worship with other Believers!! I got to go see some beautiful scenery and be seen by an incredible outreach ministry since my lungs did not want to cooperate in the cold! (I mean, it did get pretty cold!). I felt spoiled; like way loved on! I can’t wait to see what else God does in this family! (Y’all better get ready because God is just getting started!)
I made it back to Texas just in time to miss the snow day, to get my pre-op labs done and then get my gallbladder to be removed. I am currently recovering the best I can. I have had a hiccup or two along this journey, but God has surrounded me with an amazing family and friends. So now, I keep asking God to help me to be fully present and “along for the ride” for whatever He has planned! 2025 is going to be SO GOOD!!