Farewell to Paris

Before I get into my 'end of the summer' schpeal, there are a few things that I wanted to share with ya'll! First, I got to watch part of the last leg of the Tour de France! It was so amazing and something I will never ever forget. We spent a lot of time outside waiting for the cyclists to arrive, and it was so worth it once they arrived! Ah! It was so cool! I can't believe that I got to watch it. And I also got to go to Disneyland in Paris! I have only been to Disneyland once, when I was five, and I remember nothing. So naturally, I have been dreaming about going to Disneyland for such a long time! It was so amazing and magical! We spent the entire day there, and I loved every second of it. We got to meet Snow White as well! It was so great. 

This summer has been such an amazing and life changing ride. It has been filled with amazing people, sweet moments with Father, answered prayers, lots of laughs, experiences that I will never forget, and growth. I've been able to do things I never really imagined I would be able to do, and things I can't do on my own. This summer was not something I could have gotten through without Father's amazing provision and strength. He has answered prayers that we didn't even know to pray. Father has transformed my heart and shown me how much I need Him in every area in my life. Without Him, I am nothing. It doesn't matter whether I acknowledge it or not, I am 100% completely dependent upon Father. He is in control of my life whether I believe it or not. His plan is going to be done, no matter what I choose to do. I am a small part in His big plan. I am not a necessity. I am not going to screw up His plan, either. If I am being disobedient, He will show me. I don't need to stress about knowing His plan so that I don't screw it up cause I'm not going to. I do not have that power, and I can rest in that. Throughout the summer, Father has shown me how big and amazing He is and how small I am. It has been an amazing lesson to learn.

1 Corinthians 1:25-2:5 

"For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength. Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not may of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential' not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of the world and the despised things- and the things that are not- to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God- that is our righteousness, holiness, and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power."

Leaving Paris is so incredibly bittersweet. I have grown to love these people so so much. It's so hard to think that I will be leaving them and might never see some of them again. They have encouraged, challenged, and helped me grow so much this summer. It has been amazing living with them and doing life with them. They have been such a blessing, each and every one of them. They have been my support system and inner circle while I've been away from home. They were able to keep my homesickness at bay, not that, that was their goal, but it happened. These people have had a huge impact on my life, and I hope to never forget them and all that has happened this summer. They are seriously amazing, and I love each one of them dearly.

In conclusion, this experience was amazing and life changing. Father is good. There is no greater purpose in life that to seek after Father and make His name known. We are here to bring Him glory. That is why we have breathe in our lungs. Father's plan is not one that is all struggle and pain with no joy. It includes abundant joy and hope, but it will include pain and suffering. Following Father is not an easy task to do, but it is absolutely worth it and so so amazing. Father is calling us to do hard things so that His name will be praised throughout the nations. He will drag us through the mud, but He will also be there to clean us up afterwards. Nothing happens apart from His will. Take heart and rest in that. Father is capable of answering our biggest and most exuberant prayers, but He also loves us enough to grant us our most petty requests. Follow after Him, and hold nothing back for He is sufficient to fill all our needs.