Hey friends,
It’s been a hot minute since I posted a blog so I thought I would share what’s happening in my life at the moment.
First let me give you a quick recap…
In August 2018 to January 2019 I had the privilege and honor to squad lead I Squad. They taught me so much about grace, rest, healthy communication, and authority in the Lord. I am forever grateful for them and how they loved me and trusted me and accepted me as I am.
I Squad- Thank you. You are some of my favorite humans I have ever met.
In January, I went back to Mississippi for 5 months. In month 2 of squad leading the Lord told me to go home when I finished leading. He told me to go rest and reconnect. So I spent 5 months spending time with family and reconnecting with friends I have not seen in years. It was a time of rest and health… it was full of walks/runs with my mom, 30+ games of Settlers of Catan, many episodes of Survivor, weekly family dinners, and spending slow days with the Lord. It was a soft place to land after leading for 5 months. It was good for my soul and I am so grateful for that time to be still.
This is a picture of me and my roomies… aka Mama and Daddy. I got some quality time with them and it was good… they even let me win a few games of Catan.
These are my siblings and mama… we were all together for Easter for the first time in years… it was a reunion of sorts.
So about a week ago I moved back to Gainesville, GA. I had a place to live, but no job yet. I applied for probably 30 nanny jobs and nothing quite felt right. Over the last 2 months at home the Lord continued to speak the word “release.” I felt like the Lord was asking me to release some of my future plans and dreams and expectations. He was asking me empty my hands so that I could actually pick up what he had for me.
This releasing has been hard for me. I like to have a well thought out plan before I move forward in something. However, the Lord had some different ideas.
Two days after moving to Gainesville the Lord and I had a conversation. As I prayed I heard the Lord continue to say release. He said Carson, all I want is your life. My response was well Lord I thought I already gave you my life. He then gently said it’s an everyday choice to give your life to me.
Woof.
So with an open heart he placed alumni team leading in my hands.
On June 16 I fly to Bolivia to go to final debrief with I Squad. Then on June 23 I fly to Nicaragua to meet up with V Squad. This time instead of leading the whole squad I will be leading a team of 6 women. I will be on the field with this team for 3 months and we will be going to Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama.
This is V Squad…I’m excited to be a part of their journey as they know the Lord more deeply and get to know themselves more deeply.
Awhile ago I committed to choosing the Lord and following him anywhere. It is much easier to make that choice verbally than it is to have faith and hope to follow thru, to truly follow the Lord anywhere… especially when you didn’t plan for it.
As I am writing this blog a friend walked by and I told her about me leaving at the end of this week and her response was beautiful… She said “wow that’s so awesome. Isn’t it cool that life actually always gets to be this exciting.”It’s true. Following the Lord is exciting and it’s not just every once in awhile. Life actually always gets to be this exciting and fun and full when we choose the Lord wherever we are. In my mind this feels impulsive and I know the Lord just looks at me and smiles because He had this in mind all along.
The Lord has promised to take care of me and I believe that he will. So let the adventure continue.
If you would like to talk more about all this or if you want to partner with me in prayer please feel free to reach out, I love talking about what the Lord is doing. If you would like to partner with my financially I ask that you pray and donate. You can click the donate button on the left side of my blog page. I am still looking for some one time and monthly donations.
I truly am so thankful for this life I get to live yet I know I could not go without your help. Thank you for supporting me. I am so grateful for the people in my corner.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rC7mNAsx7Vw&list=PLAJmX0CQentaMmrYwDnwU1ygmvlCkvt99&index=79
This has been a song that has been speaking to me this week… It’s called Sails by Pat Barrett.
One of the lines is “Falling in love is easy, staying in love is hard.” I pray that I will continue to stay in love with Jesus even when it’s hard.
We’re doing the thing!
Much love, Carson
