25 in 25.

I'm just gonna give it to you straight: this year had a lot of ups and downs. Sometimes I wonder if God really just wanted to bring me to Argentina to prove a point to me because I'm that stubborn or what. However, here are some of the things I never would have learned in the States, starting with #1...

1. Not applying heat to your hair for one year with a blow dryer or flat iron can do amazing things. I don't have any split ends!! Let's not talk about white hairs though...
2. A Godly person does not automatically make them a Godly leader. This one was hard to learn but I'm so glad I learned it sooner in this setting rather than later.
3. I really miss Dr. Pepper.
4. I've learned to cook things and with things I didn't know were possible. Red Velvet Cake without cream cheese or red dye? Sure, no problem......
5. I've learned what a woman's role in the relationship looks like, in a Godly submissive way. Let me explain a little.  It really was eye-opening because I've always thought that to be submissive was so 1950's, but when I actually studied the Word and how God designed relationships and the Church and Christ, I see how perfect and complimentary it is. I see it modeled with the ladies and families on my team and I am so thankful for this example now.
6. My selfishness and pride is at the center of all my sin, and God's grace and mercy are greater than said sin. Yep, still learning that.
7. Argentines are passionate when they love someone. So when they like you, then reallllly like you, and you're in great company. When they don't like you, well... you just kind of know.
8. The Church has so many problems, and will continue with problems, because it's full of sinners just like me. And I can't fix a church or its people, only Jesus can. This is a burden and relief. Mainly a prayer, than Jesus would be the center of the church, and that the people would believe that.
9.  Hebrews is the coolest book of the Bible. It just screams the gospel and glory of Jesus Christ from Old Testament to His resurrection and I don't know why I've waited so long to study it in depth. Best decision ever.
10. My theology and study of doctrine has developed in so many different areas in the last year that I didn't even realize needed developing. The Bible has an answer to every social, cultural....you name issue.
11. I watched part of the Billboard Music Awards the other night and I'm now afraid of re-entry into the United States. What has the country become..... pop culture is a mess. I would not let my son of 18 watch what I saw.  I think Christians in the US have become watered down because they are so apart of culture that they don't even realize it. I think we're already that boiled frog.
12. Peru and Brasil have a tie for the best food in South America.
13.  Ministry is messy. It's hard and many times I don't even see the fruit of work, but I'm not promised the fruit in my time here, and that's not what I do it for. It's all for an eternal value.
14. I have the best team in the company. I say team, but really we're a family. I mean, who else would go on vacation with you so you didn't have to go alone?? We're big, but we know the Lord has blessed us, so we're trying to make much of Him as long as we are all together.
15. Speaking of company, I work for the best company. I'm going to miss them in January. What I won't miss are the novel-long-emails from the president. (stick to the NOVELS, for novels, Mr. Platt- all due respect)
16. I learned that moving overseas doesn't really change your personality.  FOR EXAMPLE. If you're not one to make a lot of friends, and when you do, they're older, have kids, retired, whatever...... it's probably going to be the same in your new setting. Quality over quantity still exists overseas, fact.
17. I've found a new hunger for God's word like never before. Have you ever read Pslam 119 and realized every verse meditates on an aspect on the law, word, promises, statues, commands, decrees? Something, about HIS WORD. I love it. I thirst for it and cannot get enough of it. It IS the best thing and I relate to Josiah in 2 Kings 22 when he mourns for not having previously known its goodness before it's discovered. Do you know its goodness? I thought I did, but I was so wrong.
18. Time and again, I've seen God answer prayers. Even if it takes 15 years. His timing is perfect. Again, another christianism I'm still learning.
19. When they say it's a cold winter in Argentina at 50*, don't question it, just believe them and pack your long johns and scarves because 50 feels like 35 suddenly.
20. Americans really don't walk much. I know this because I didn't like more than 7 blocks when I got here, and now I walk around 20 blocks a day, maybe, if not more. Yet I've still managed to gain weight here... (I'm looking at you, medialunas)
21. Language learning NEVER gets easier. You never make it. 1 year later and someone will complement you, or switch to speak English because they're trying to help you. You just never know how the wind is going to blow that day. There's always room to improve.
22. We are not in control. I am not in control, as much as I try to be (ISTJ, speaking).
23. Americans make things more difficult than necessary. So you don't have a mixer? Use a fork, it works just as well when making cookies. Argentines improvise LIKE A BOSS. I haven't figured what's the correct improvisation for a blender yet.......
24. This is still my favorite number so I don't have to fill it out.
25. The biggest truth bomb of this year.. so obvious yet never so clearly presented in my life until living here: God is to receive all the glory (through my Spirit guided actions). But mainly Him receiving all the glory. All the glory. Even when I mess up, it's my prayer that He redeems my mistakes and failures for His glory.

Hip Hip, Hooray! I turn 25 TODAY!!

Today, I turn 25. That's a quarter of a century old. I know a lot of people freak out at this, but I want to embrace it. I want to look 25 head on and take it for all it is, because I can say it's the one year that I will live it's entirety in Buenos Aires. How cool is that!?!

When I think back to where I was a year ago, I just feel good about life. Because the last year kind of went as I expected. I mean, yea... a LOT of change happened, but honestly, if I told you that in March of 2013 I had Buenos Aires on my mind, would you believe me? And here I am, over a year later... But I believe that when we are right in the center of God's will, that's how life is supposed to be. How we're supposed to feel. Good.

So, for a bit, I thought about making a list of things I want to do in my next 25 years, like... run a half marathon, read X books, fall in love, but then I realized... all those things are just ideals. What I really want is to stay right in the center of God's will because that is where everything feels so right. And Lord willing those things will all happen because they're not bad, I believe them to be good, but if they don't happen, at least I can say I was still where God had me.

So, today I want to focus ALL my attention to the people who have brought me to where I am and shaped me into who I am. I wouldn't be me without them, so let's celebrate that!

My granny is the wisest person I have ever met. Probably the funniest too. Her Christian influence in my dad's life made an everlasting affect, and she is leaving one in mine, too. I am so thankful for her and this is one of my favorite pictures taken at Niagara Falls. I think I get my traveling streak from her!

My parents, obviously. I don't know how much I need to say here... They raised me, I owe everything I am to them. They never asked much of me and they gave me everything I could ever have needed. I thank God for them daily. He knew just what I needed in parents; it was them.

My prayer warrior, my mentor, my best friend. I think I unofficially called us the Melting Pot Club at one point but it never caught on. These two families are like my own and I am thankful for them both letting me in at any point, for always giving me advice, and just being the best group of girl friends I could ask for.

You can't talk about people that shape you into who you are today without mentioning your college sister, best friend, and mentor. Though we don't talk so much anymore, this girl took a green freshman under her wing and taught me everything I needed to know about my walk on a secular campus. Life on life discipleship. And now she is influencing thousands of others working at Catalyst for the Kingdom.

My family, again. I'm a baby...as in the youngest of 3. I have 3 sobrinos that I love with all my heart and the minute Chandler was born I didn't know it was possible to love that deeply. He made into an aunt, thus changing my capacity to love. I think growing up all over the country my parents gave me a deeper appreciation for my family and I hope to do the same one day.