Set The World On Fire

I remember when I was in high school I talked to a pastor and him saying that sometimes God calls people to a mediocre life. I remember my heart tightening in my chest and inside my spirit cringed at the thought.

Mediocrity? LORD, I don’t want anything about my life to be mediocre. I will not accept that.

St. Catherine of Siena
“Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.”

Since then, I’ve been true to my word and my life has been anything but mediocre. I’ve traveled all over the United States for film work. I’ve traveled all over the world serving Jesus and learning about other cultures. I’ve switched careers. I’ve only got one life and I don’t want to waste it. And now I’m embarking on a new adventure with the LORD: Montana. 

Currently, I am in Buffalo, NY. My plan is to leave tomorrow morning driving through Canada to make my way to my parent’s house in Michigan. After being there for a week (give or take), I’ll head out for the open road and visit family and friends along the way.

After Nebraska, I don’t have any contacts from there to Montana so if you have any friends, family or third cousins that would be open to crashing on their couch, let me know! 

“Did you budget enough for your trip?”

“You’re going to Montana without a steady job?”

“Oh, you don’t know anyone there? You’re just going because it’s pretty?” 

2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

If I travel for work, that is appropriate.

If I travel for missions, that is permissible.

But if I travel to pursue the Lord, I’m reckless. 

But I want to be reckless for the LORD!

I want to have faith like Abraham did. I want to pray in the wilderness like Jesus did. I want to study his word like Paul did. The mountains aren’t calling me, but Jesus is. 

Psalm 27:8
“My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “LORD, I am coming.”

My only agenda is to hike and spend time with Jesus. 

New Hampshire – Quick Summary

The past month I have been living with the Hebert’s in New Hampshire aka the World Race coaches who were part of the leadership team that sent me home early. Now you may be thinking, “Why would you stay with the people responsible for sending you home?”

Well, the short answer is they invited me and I like them.

Warning: Be careful if you ever invite Heidi Gray to your humble abode because I might show up.                       

After spending small amounts of intentional time with Jenn and AJ at training camp, launch, and debrief, I knew they were authentic, Jesus-loving people. Notice I didn’t say perfect, but I was drawn to their ambitious nature in serving the Lord. When Moses came down the mountain, he was radiant from talking with God (Exodus 34:29). I want to spend time with people who are also radiant from their relationships with the LORD. Jenn and AJ spend time with Him. 

As a result of spending the past month with the Hebert’s, I got to serve the Lord in some unique ways:  

• I cleaned out an attic (lots of delicious mice poop).
• I drove a girl to rehab.
• I helped organize donations and build out a storage space for Roca Kidz Club.
• I drove a van full of inner city middle schoolers that informed me I drive like a grandma.
• I went on Dairy Queen runs with Nick.
• I got to go deeper in the Bible with a group of new believers/ex-addicts and others who are still weighing the option of following Jesus. 
• I cleaned out garden beds for Jenn.
• I got to bake blueberry muffins for the men’s group.

Ministry is life and life is ministry.

It was fun being able to continue serving. It may not have been in Albania, but I know that I was able to meet needs, plant some seeds, and experience an area of the USA I had never been to before.

Quick Aside: The only prayer that the LORD did not answer in my time in New Hampshire was to see a moose. I LOOKED EVERYWHERE. They have moose all over their state paraphernalia, but I think it’s a hoax.

Not a moose was to be found. 

Prayer Requests

• Pray my car continues to run well and carry me where I need to go. Her name is Clark. (Yes, Alice, I’m one of those people that name their vehicles).
• Pray that I would be quick to recognize opportunities the LORD provides me to encourage, edify, or share the gospel on this journey.

• Pray for the other Team Leaders are they are now off the field and onto their own respective adventures.
• Pray for O Squad as they are currently in Kosovo and soon to be on their way to Georgia.