Having something driving my life that is divinely necessary means that I will do it despite how I may feel on a particular day. It means that I won't care about potential awkwardness or potential rejection. It means that this is something so crucial and significant that I can't not tell others.

It's so interesting to think that in three separate years, during the same time of the year, I was packing bags and taking big steps of faith - each of them life-changing.

When you're raising support, it's easy to see the end goal as being so far away. If I'm honest, that's how I've felt for a majority of these 38 weeks. But I knew there would come a time where the reality of "oh my gosh I'm moving to a new state and this is all happening so fast and how in the world is this going to happen in time" would set in. Well, people. That time is here.

Growing up in a Christian home, Psalm 23 was one of the first lengthy [or at least lengthy for a child] passages I memorized. I can still remember the chapter being written out in marker on a dry erase board downstairs where I'd play with my toys. Back then, I didn't understand the deep meaning of this passage, and the same was true for many other passages that have now become really dear to me. I'm definitely not claiming to now know all there is to know about this Psalm, but over the past few years and even more-so very recently, it has come to life for me as I dive into it more and more.

He exposes our sin, but He doesn't want us to stand in shame. And we don't have to, because He clothes us with His righteousness. No need for "just try harder," no need to hide, no need to attempt to get our own act together. Our greatest need has been met through the cross.

It's so hard to believe that today I'm entering into my 23rd year of life. The Lord has definitely taught me a lot during year 22. I didn't always dress like a hipster and have breakfast at midnight [my last chance for that reference, so I had to ], but my 22nd year had a lot of grand adventures, changes, and challenges. So many joys and uncertainties, but one thing IS certain: I got to experience Jesus more fully.

I remember it distinctly. I was walking near my apartment during a fairly cold evening, and the song came on in my earbuds. For the first time I really thought about what I was hearing. It became relatable and real. Tune my heart to sing Thy grace.

Jesus is always having to correct and refocus my view back to Him. I am in constant need of the reminders of His character, and I’m thankful that He is a Good, Good Father who is personal, whose love is tangible, and who is always accessible and willing to still my anxious heart. I simply need to ask Him, and He meets me in my need.

I'm essentially called to do the very opposite of what my culture is all about. Get a job and lots of money! Make sure you're secure! Look out for number one! The American Dream! Have we ever thought about the fact that our culture is basically in line with our human nature? Just worry about yourself. Don't worry about serving others. Individualism. This is not supported in the Bible.