New direction :)

So I just realized this post could possibly be confused with the fact that the band one direction was in town last weekend. No, I was not there, I have not heard any of their songs and the post title is a complete coincidence.

The post title refers to the fact that though I had one plan in mind, God had a completely different one.

I had been desiring to go on a mission trip since the minute our plane touched down on American soil after coming home from Kenya. Well, maybe not the minute after, I was really sick when we first got back, but very shortly after I desired to go back. :)

I remember hearing that the church was going back to Kenya this summer and was very excited to go back, but there was not a peace there about going. I remember asking my mom if God would ever ask you not to go on a missions trip....it seems so..strange I guess is the word I'm looking for. God works in mysterious ways, however... :)

At first, I went to the meetings for Kenya and tried to just continue on with what I thought would be a good plan, but still lacked a peace about going. I finally just began praying that God would either give me a peace to go or a peace to stay, but to make it incredibly clear which I should do. I ended up staying home.

Instead, I went to youth camp, which was amazing. I didn't completely realize it at the time, or maybe I did and just didn't want to admit it, but I was still very much struggling with the things of my past and holding onto sin in my life. It came to a head as I completely broke down on the bus ride to camp to a girl next to me. I think she was simply being nice and trying to make conversation when within 15 minutes of the 15 hour drive I poured out my soul and life to her.

God did amazing things though at camp. He reveled to me what I believe to be the root of my struggle and a reason and probably the main reason I could not seem to fully surrender to Him.

Now I'm trying to take it one day at a time, leaning on His strength and not my own, to even surrender. Because on my own, I can do nothing, but in Him and His power, I can do everything He desires for me to do.

On the way back from camp, the same girl and I were talking about missions and somehow got on the conversation of India- I made mention of how I always wanted to go on a mission trip to India since being inspired by Amy Carmichel's story in elementary school. To my complete shock she told me that she was taking a mission trip to India in January and I should come. Woah. This has been my dream for years, and I didn't think I'd be able to go anytime soon. God obviously had plans in mind when He was telling me to wait on Kenya.

I am still praying that God will show me for sure if this is what He wants, but just the way situations have worked out and everything, I believe it is but I am always open because I know His plans are greater than my own and are for my prosperity. More to come.... :)