Overcoming Fears-

“Jesus called His followers to be a lot of things, but I have yet to find where He warned us to be safe. We are not called to be safe, we are simply promised that when we are in danger, God is right there with us. And there is no better place to be than in His hands.” Katie Davis -Kisses from Katie. 

I have learned to be careful with what I pray because God might just give me what I prayed for. Be ready to overcome fears to accomplish God’s purpose for your life. As many of you know Justin and I have a heart for Africa. Last year I continued to find myself praying for God to use my gifts and talents to help bring awareness to the needs in Africa and around the world. I always thought in the back of my head this would be hand in hand with my husband and sweet son Malachi physically by my side (my plan). You know you have been given a glimpse of God’s plan for your life when you get a lump in your throat and fear starts to creep in. God often takes some of our biggest fears and asks us to overcome them in order to follow His call for our life. This life is not about our own comforts but His purpose no matter where that takes us. If you ask for His calling be prepared to face fears. But don't lose heart, you will conquer them and they will make you stronger. God’s dreams for our lives are big. Are you ready? Ready or not here I come. 

On February 8th I am jumping ALONE (God’s plan). Well that is a little dramatic, I will be with two other ladies but not with Justin and Malachi as I had planned it in my head. God answered my prayers this past year, to use my talents and gifts to help in third world countries. God even took it to the next level and called me not just to give my time here in America but to go physically. I will be jet setting to Uganda at 12:30pm February 8th for a 10 day journey! If you know me you know I do not do these kinds of things without my husband. I have grown a little too attached to his security and companionship over our past 7 years together. I am facing my fear and following a dream of mine to capture amazing things and people in UG through the lens of my camera in hopes to bring awareness to a world who desperately needs our help and an organization who is trying to do something about it. I also will be loving on quite a few people while there and showing them how much they are loved and cherished. We are His body. Physically His hands and feet. So I go to be used by Him for a greater purpose than myself and my own comforts. I go to be Jesus to His people.

I wrestled with the decision to go for weeks. God kept reminding me of my prayers and softly nudging me back on track. Pushing my fear down and letting his love and peace fill me up. Every excuse I made He had an answer for and that was to go, serve and be used by Him. We only get one shot at this life and I want to use it up! Fear will not keep me from what God has for me. That is what God’s challenge for me is this year. So in just 32 days I am taking the first step and getting on a plane alone and flying half way around the world to see what God has in store. I want to be more. I want to see more. I want to do more. Break my heart for what breaks yours God and may it cause me to act boldly and intentionally with every breath I take.  Pray for me. Can’t wait to share as my days unfold. -Julie