Oaxaca, Mexico
July 14-23, 2009
So, I learned a lot during my week in Mexico. I discovered quite a bit about myself and my walk with God, and what I need to do to strengthen it. I have messed royally in the past. I was born into a life of sin, as we all were. When I was 8, I gave my life to Christ, and I was baptized when I was 10. My faith was pretty strong and solid for a few years. High school kinda changed me. I know that’s pretty cliché…but truthful. I started growing away from my faith slowly, bit by bit. I never fully lost it, but it was not where it needed to be. I messed up tremendously my senior year, and many of you probably know what I’m talking about. After that mistake, I started to reevaluate my walk with Christ, and I started to strengthen it slowly, bit by bit. I knew I was going to Mexico, and I knew it would help too, but nowhere near as much as it did. I learned many great things about myself, my friends, scripture, ministry, missions, and love. I would consider myself pretty decently educated in the word to begin with…I mean not like years of study and degrees, but I’ve been in church my whole life and paid attention enough. But I had no idea I could learn as much as I did. God’s love is so abounding and impactful, its insane & amazing. I learned that the power of prayer can do so much more than any power of man. And I have begun to rely on prayer a lot more. Another thing that I’m going to touch on here is dating. Sorry if this steps on some toes here…but its my honest opinion. Dating is not something to be taken lightly folks. It is something to be taken very seriously. The more you date, just to date, the less of yourself you have to give to your spouse that God has planned for you. I will be “dating” now with the intentions of marriage—meaning, I am dating to find that spouse that God has planned for me. There will be lots and lots of prayer invested into the relationship (on both sides—mine and his) and lots of friendship developed with the person as well. Prayer will be the most important thing. I want to exert God’s love in everything I do. And…I want the guy that I end up with to do the same. I’m not in any hurry. I’m 18, I’m young and just starting college. I’m ready when the good Lord says I am. Until then, I’m so incredibly content giving God all that I have. That is what I learned about my faith and relationship with Christ. I also learned that great friends can be made in even very short time periods. Jessica especially, lol...my other Thai cousin. I love that girl...I miss her too, lol. Of course I made other friends too...all of the interns were amazing and so were all the MTS people...and the staff in general. We made friends from New Mexico & Colorado & Florida. God is so good. We were all so blessed to get what we got out of it. So, to sum it all up…Oaxaca was amazing…and the Lord is better! =]
God bless y’all!
-☮Ali♪
