As i have had an opportunity to reminisce about all the different trips i have had been able to take, the memories that have been made, the people i have been able to meet and work with and the circumstances i have been in - it is inevitable that there have been defining moments these past 4 years. Many of my friends would say that graduating college, their wedding day, first day of their real job and their first child are some of their defining moments. At that moment they knew life would never be the same.
My defining moments however look a little different...i have done my best to capture them...
1) My first trip overseas...my thought process in this picture "You have to be kidding me Lord, i can't do this!"
2) Overcoming Fear - after throwing a tantrum like a 2 year old, refusing to share my story with high school kids, the Lord gave me one more shot. The school that day was cancelled and we went back later that week...where i had a chance to overcome that fear that paralyzed me. Shout out to the Big Guy upstairs who gave me the strength to follow through!
3) Chaos - during an outreach event in Durban, SA...giving bread and clothes away goes bad...mob like situation sends Andrea to the car, angry and never wants to work this type of event again! Results: God showed me what poverty really is...and He has started to soften my heart for the homeless here in America and all over the world.
4) Hangin' out in a taxi at night in Madagascar - anxiety takes over and i begin to shut down...not a huge fan of situations that i cannot control. This night God showed me the power of His peace reigning in my life. Fear held me back from making decisions...but when the PEACE of God flows through my life - His strength rules over my weakness.
5) I started to see the bigger picture - I will never fully understand or even be ok with the fact that i lost my mom when i was 18...but at times when i stand before a large group of kids who are orphaned and share my story, and see HOPE enter their lives..it sure starts to make sense. I came across this video OneHope produced the other day and it was just a really good reminder of why sharing our life STORY matters.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqFsoMtULGU
Until next time...dig up those defining moments and be thankful for them...
