Something I have been asked since November of last year. The future is something I have always feared and thought about and pondered on in present seasons, a lot of times, missing what the Lord has for me then because I was so focused and worried about what was next. Many of you know my story of how I came on the race. I wanted to go to college so so so bad after high school. I wanted to graduate “on time” like many of my friends. I wanted the normal “after highschool life”, but I knew deep down thats not what the Lord had for me. As soon as I applied for the race and got accepted, I was bathed in peace and trust in the Lord for this season. Fast forward to October of 2020, people were already talking about what was next, whether that was going back home to work, going to the college they deferred from for a year, going to travel, continue on the mission field- people around me knew- but I didnt. I had no idea what was next or what the heck I wanted to do. It began stressing me out because I wanted to know. I wanted to have it planned out. So as i pondered and wondered what could be next, I kept thinking college, obviously. I love school. I didn’t think I would be in missions for the rest of my life because it is a hard lifestyle, and not something I truly thought about doing for the rest of my life.
So, around the beginning of October of 2020, my squad leader, Milly, mentioned a program called CGA. She explained it to me and I just kept in the back of my head because it sounded nice, but I wanted to go to school so bad afterwards. After having COVID and coming home, my fear of not knowing what I was doing next got worse as I was being asked that question more and all I could say was “i don’t know”. In January, I laid that fear down at the feet of Jesus and gave over my plans completely to Him.
He brought CGA back up and kept pressing it on my heart. It was the only thing that brought me peace when I thought about what was next. The same feeling I had when the Lord kept pressing the race on my heart- so I knew this feeling and pressing was from the Lord…
So if you read this far, you guessed it… this fall I will be attending CGA- Center for Global Action.
What is it you may ask? Well I am so so excited to tell you all about it! CGA is another program under Adventures in Missions ( the same organization I am with now ) has to offer to alumni racers. This program provides alumni racers with a 5 month discipleship school, helping them transition off the mission field into day to day life. This will be a classroom setting that challenges racers to step into a leadership role by teaching us how to “know yourself, lead yourself and lead others”, while living amongst other racers. It also gives racers the opportunity to reflect, process and take what they learned from the race and how to apply it to their everyday lifestyle. CGA empowers us to step into exactly what Jesus has called us to do, go into a deeper intimacy with Jesus, learn more about what it means to be a leader and carry that into the communities around us. This program will take place in my sweet home state, good ‘ole Georgia, right back in Gainesville! While doing this program, I will either be getting a job or doing school online, so that I can put practice into what Im learning ( job or school is still being prayed about ).
My hope for this time is that I will be able to continue learning how to become spiritually, emotionally and mentally healthy and how I can bring what I learn to those around me, and wherever my feet are planted. I hope that the Lord will reveal more of the calling He has placed on my life and ultimately- that I will fall more in love with Jesus and His character!!
How can you help? PRAYERS! Prayers for this next season and that I will lay all my expectations of what I want it to look like down at the feet of Jesus, and that I will go into this season with trust the Lord with whatever He has for me. It is pretty scary that I could possibly be pushing school back for another 5 months, so for discernment, trust and for an understanding in whatever the Lord asks me to do. And, drum roll please…. fundraising!! Thats right! Im once again placing all finances in the hands of Jesus and trusting His hand will provide through others. I will give more information on this soon, but as of right now, would you please pray about being a supporter of mine and possibly donating?
I am so excited for whats next and to see the Lord grow me in so many new ways. Im excited to fall more in love with Jesus and His Word!!
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out and ask me any questions! I will answer them as best as I can!
Much love,
Gracie <3
