Hello Again...

Most likely, once I post this, NO ONE will read it being that I haven't blogged since February...this is four months later. If you read this, thank you...but what I say truly doesn't matter much anyways! This summer, I plan to do better at blogging--my friends have such precious blogs and I feel this is a great way to keep up with friends so far from Hoover! But, don't hold it against me if I don't post anything until August. Thankfully, my salvation isn't based on my blogger skills. ----> JESUS JUKE.

ANYWAYS, a lot has gone on since February...but reality is, can't catch you all up on that. But lately...I have been home from a month now from Auburn. It has been a weird adjustment coming back home to parents, a growing 15 year old brother, home cooked meals, free laundry, and having to drive places...but it has been good. For those of you who don't know, I really DID NOT want to come home to Hoover this summer. After going on a mission trip over Spring Break to Port St Joe, FL, I was humbled that the Lord used me there and my heart longed to go back for the summer (it still does). But, it was not the Lord's timing: he has called me to a mission field back home.

It seems that coming home is the easy alternative for someone in college who is a follower of Christ and seeks to further God's kingdom: why do that when you can go to a camp and tell kids about Jesus? or go on a mission trip? or have an internship? or stay in Auburn for a certain job or position? Well...I thought so, too. But coming home to love on/encourage friends and family, to show others God's grace, and to continually live out/spread the gospel to loved ones around you is HARD. But...He has called me here and I have been stubborn for awhile. I found myself very frustrated in how hard it has been to be back in Hoover...leaving the fellowship with godly friends and being away from the amazing discipleship and leadership in Auburn has been difficult. Not until the last few weeks in Hoover have I found community that spurs on my faith--God has been ever-faithful again and He has eased my burden and provided me with comfort/peace that ONLY He can give (Philippians 4:7). But y'all...it's not about me. I'm learning DAILY that it's not about me, my wishes, or EVEN my comfort. No, it is about His glory and His strength shining through my weakness. It is about me being filled up by Christ then pouring out to those He has called me to. It is about His power and love and grace mending broken relationships and making all things new...waking up the dead and drawing them to Himself. I am HUMBLED God chose me to come home and learn about Him and share His name. Fill me up and send me out LORD! All for Your glory and Your name.

That's the funny thing: though this summer has been somewhat tough and trying, it has been so good and just what I needed. God has taught me about relying fully on Him and that I'm not strong enough (or ANYTHING-strong, smart, wise, whatever-enough) to do anything WITHOUT my Jesus. He has shown me that He is faithful, my provider, my strength, and even my comfort. He is sovereign and He is just. People will come to Christ with or without me. He will be glorified with or without me.

So friends, I leave at this...being in Hoover is hard but God's plan is perfect. If I'm not spending my summer loving on others, encouraging others, working for others, or praying for others...I am wasting my life and I am wasting my time in this mission field that I have been placed in by God. I have seen so much fruit in my life and in the lives of my family members and friends that I cannot help but smile and thank God that I am here and get to see what He is doing...humbling. I am in love with my Savior and thankful for His relentlessness in pursuing me and pouring out His grace/love on me. Pray for me, please, that I will not be relentless in loving, encouraging, and sharing Christ.

Jami