My New Adventure

I have moved back home. I’m not taking classes, and  I’m going to be living out of a suitcase for the majority of this next year. And I couldn’t be more EXCITED about it!

In October at the National FFA Convention, when I was elected to a National FFA Office I had no idea how vast the changes were ahead. For the next year, I’ll travel to a projected 40 different states, rack up over 100,000 frequent flyer miles, talk to 1000s of people, and live an adventure unlike any other!

My fellow teammates: Alex, Chase, Chelsea, Levy, and Rand a are amazing!  Just in the short amount of time that we’ve gotten to spend together, I know I’m blessed with these new friends!

Over the last month my life has been flip-turned upside down!

I’ve moved out of “The 306,” been working to finish all of my classes as a distance student, and have said ‘good-bye’ to my greatest friends.

Many people have asked why in the world would someone put on hold their college education, miss out on time with friends-who have become family at K-State- and chase after a dream like this?

Why?  I believe that over the next year there is no greater way that I can glorify God and make an influence for Him.

When I began to consider pursuing a National FFA office once again, I wanted to ensure that I was doing it for the right reasons and drew purpose rooted in God’s Word.

My decision was driven by these verse:

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.                ~Matthew 28:19

“For I know the plans that I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.:”    ~Jeremiah 29:11

For women who claim to be devoted to God should make themselves attractive by the good things they do.                                                ~1 Timothy 2:10

I made the commitment: elected or not Praise God.

During the time that I was preparing, I strived to keep my life’s commission as a focus in all that I did. This will continue to drive me during my actions this next year while away from campus.

Before leaving my hotel to go to the final session of convention, I opened my Bible to Acts 13:2-3.                                                         

“One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting,” the Holy Spirit said," “Dedicate Barnabas and Saul for the special work I have fore them.” So after more fasting and prayers, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.”

This is part of my special work! I get to interact with incredible people this year in all capacities from all different parts of the nation. Each person is someone that I can serve and radiate God’s beauty to!

This is my new adventure while Chasing the Cross!

A Place to Belong

\Find Peace in knowing you are accepted for who you are….

                            God’s Masterpiece. 

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to return back to Labette  County High School where I graduated from. Attending an FFA meeting in the Little Theater, checking out my old locker, and sitting in the Ag Ed classroom to eat lunch brought back many memories from my time there.

Walking back down the high school hallways, I felt so at home. For 4 years of high school this is where I belonged. The last time that I had been in these halls I was surrounded by some of my best friends, laughing I’m sure, and assured that I was accepted by the people I was with.

A place to belong…isn’t this what everyone is looking for?

We may actually spend our entire lives searching out a place to belong. For some of us we found it in high school, maybe in the lunch room (my friends and I had ‘The Lunch Table Club’), drama program, FFA chapter, track team, or cheer squad. And perhaps we feel most accepted at home with siblings or at our grandparents house for the weekend.

As humans we have a longing to be accepted and loved.

Being accepted and a part of the crowd boosts our self-confidence, we become more comfortable in our capabilities, and we think that we find contentment.

Belonging to a place here on earth brings contentment, but it doesn’t last throughout eternity.

Sometimes I fear that people won’t stop at anything in order just to feel like they belong. We hear the words peer pressure, subjective norms, or the ‘cool’ factors which seem like easy ways that we can find this temporary contentment. Perhaps these outlets do offer instant gratification.

But why invest in temporary joy, when God so willingly offers up eternal joy?

Eternal joy is offered to us as a free gift from God. Here in some of these Psalms God reminds us of the place of comfort that we can find in Him.

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.      Psalm 91:1

He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.                                              Psalm 23:2-3

The Lord is my strength, my shield from every danger, I trust in Him will all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.                                    Psalm 28:7

We can know that God does offer us a place to rest and belong. It’s in His embrace. Seeking Him in His word and prayer, we can accept the gift of eternal joy He freely gives us. In His embrace, we don’t have to question if we belong or are accepted because we are God’s Masterpiece. We’re loved. 

As I was saying good-bye to many of my friends at K-State today, I had some time to realize how blessed I’ve been by the friends in my life.

These individuals came from all different aspects of my time at college. Some from campus organizations, others were faculty and advisors, and others were my coaches.

                                            What made this group of people so special to me is that at one point of time or another they made me feel as if I belonged. A true blessing from God!

Find contentment in knowing you are loved for who you are….

                           in God’s embrace.