Looking Forward

2013 was a year full of fun, love, and everlasting memories. A year of growing in Christ. New relationships were made. Old relationships continued to grow. Every year, I look back and ask myself, “What did God teach me this year?” or “How did God use me this year?”. Looking back on this year, the Lord definitely taught me a lot, and He used me in ways I never expected Him to..

The first thing that God really taught me is how powerful prayer is. Or how powerful God is. For two years, I spent time consistently praying about an internship with AMG. I spent two years praying God would send me to Uganda for 6 months. I remember at the beginning of this year, I started a prayer journal. It has been one of the best things I have ever decided to do. Looking back in that prayer journal, I was consistently praying for Aly. We had not ever met before, but I knew about her. I knew that praying for her would be just as important as praying for myself. I knew that she was wanting to be in Uganda just as bad as I wanted to be. After spending two years praying about being in Uganda, and praying that Aly would be in Uganda in God’s timing..here we are. We are here. And to be honest, I had never really prayed that long and hard about something since my mom’s cancer, and to be reminded of how powerful prayer is has been life changing all over again.

“...The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.”

James 5:16

He also taught me that all it takes is a step in faith. In every situation, bad or good, through tears and hurt, or smiles and laughter, just trust that He will do whatever it is He has promised. I am so thankful for past heartaches, hurt and pain. I am so thankful for all the wonderful and incredible times. It was because of those times and those lessons God has prepared me for Uganda and many more things in life that are to come. He has taught me that stepping out in faith, regardless of knowing or understanding why, will take you farther than you could ever imagine. 

“For we walk by faith, and not by sight.”

2 Corinthians 5:7

“But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.”

James 1:6

Lastly, after looking back at all the relationships I have made and relationships that have grown this past year, God has taught me the importance of those relationships good or bad. He has taught me that it is important to love unconditionally as He loves us. To forgive always, and look past the flesh of someone and look at them as God does. God has placed certain people in my life for a reason, whether it be to teach me a lesson or to build me up. I have learned that in all I do or say, it should reflect God’s love for us.

“You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.”

Leviticus 19:18

“So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.”

1 John 4:16

Now, what does 2014 have in store for me? What does God have in store for me in this new year? To think about spending half of this year in Uganda is so exciting! I can’t wait to see how God works in the lives here in Uganda and in my life as well. Looking forward to this year that will be filled with spiritual growth, maturing, and finding out more of what God’s call on my life is! 

- Kaitlyn