GO!

In just six weeks, I'll be leaving for Santiago!

I'd love to keep "y'all" informed about my studies and travels! ;-) It would mean a lot if you followed my blog, left feedback, and kept me in your prayers.

I never expected to end up studying abroad in Latin America.  For some reason I had it in my head that I had to study in Europe.  Luckily I listened to that whisper in my heart telling me to go somewhere else. 

With the earthquake that hit Chile, my trip was suspended for a while.  It was a relief when I received word that Chile had revised the travel advisory and UNC would still allow me to participate in the program. I was, however, really thankful for those few weeks of uncertainty, because it reminded me that I'm really not the one in control...and if you know me, you probably know that I really like to be in control.  The short span of uncertainty in my summer plans helped me learn to truly trust in the Lord in regards to the logistics of my trip.  He knows exactly what he's doing and his plans for me are perfect...so who am I to doubt what He's doing?

In light of the "Go!" workshop that I attended today, I thought this would be a good time to write my first blog entry.  At the workshop, speakers helped us evaluate expectations and potential ethical and cultural challenges.  Having no real experience in a foreign country, it was really great to hear what others had to say. 

One thing I had to disagree with though, was a certain comment by a speaker.  She talked about how many people who had internships or other similar immersion experiences ended up in a much different situation than they had initially anticipated.  Her advice for us was to lower our expectations so that we could still learn something from whatever situation we are in.  I think that's a really sad perspective to have, and I don't think that's what God would want us to do at all.

Many of us, including myself, like to romanticize and idealize future situations.  We paint these pictures in our heads of what an experience will be like, and then if things don't play out as planned, we are disappointed.  We feel like we've been robbed of something.  We forget about the One who is painting that picture for us...and we don't realize that He's painting a masterpiece beyond all of our wildest, craziest dreams.

So instead of just lowering our expectations to avoid disappointment, how about just letting go completely of what we want for ourselves, and embracing the mystery and excitement of what God might have in store?  If we trust Him, and if we truly believe in His greatness, how can there possibly be anything to lose? 

What I need...what we all need...is to have big faith.  Like...the crazy, reckless, wondrous kind that can only be a result of putting all our little, pathetic hopes and expectations at the feet of a God who is perfect in every way and who has a crazy-amazing plan for our lives.

This is my goal for this summer: to seek the Lord with all I've got, and to let him take control of my time in Chile.  I'm so excited!!


"In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory."  Ephesians 1:11-12