Hey Friends!!

I've been back in the states for a little over a month now! Adjusting back to life here has been strange. It's been difficult at times but It's also been so exciting to see the ways that God has been answering my prayers for community. My original plan was to apply for the 11n11 after graduation because that was the most plausible time to go. As I continued to pray about it I heard various different times the word "go". I heard it when I was in South Africa, I heard it during debrief in Atlanta, and I heard it multiple times since I've been back. As I pushed this word away the Lord really reminded me of all that he had taught me through the last trip.

In preparation for my trip to South Africa, the Lord consistently reminded me to let go of the long-term "plan" I had for my life. He showed me this in multiple different ways. It started with all of the different plan changes that brought me to South Africa in the first place and then it continued throughout the trip. I have wanted to be an Agriculture teacher since the eighth grade and in South Africa those plans were flipped upside down. I was eagerly waiting for our time in eSwatini and those plans were shut down. The Lord continuously reminded me that He was in control, yet I was still choosing my plan over His.

So here I am very excitedly surrendering control of the plan that I have for my life and giving it to God. I finally gave my "yes" and now I am ready to see all that God will do in this next season of life. His love has radically changed me and I cannot wait to encounter that radical love in so many new ways throughout the months of preparation and then continuing onto the field.

In these coming months of preparation I would love to connect with anyone who might be reading this blog! Please reach out to me and we could grab coffee or if you're not in the Ames or Muscatine area we could schedule a zoom call! I would love to share with you all that God is doing in my heart right now and here about how He is moving in your life! Subscribe to my blog to stay updated through this crazy journey!

Love y'all!

-Lex