More so than money, I appreciated your prayers. I spent the summer away from my family, fiancé, and most of my friends. It was my first time spending an extended time completely away from home. There were definitely low points when I struggled with loneliness, but I was also very aware that I was being held up by you and your prayers.
Thank you.
This summer was full of walking, biking, bible-study, coffee-drinking, graphic design, cotton-candy machine cleaning, bounce-houses, prayer, block parties, street soccer, meetings, tacos, and learning more of what it means to live into the calling of God.
When I was growing up, I did Tae Kwon Do for 3 years. I took a few tests and climbed a couple ranks in my class. Each test involved breaking boards by punching them. I remember being taught by the instructors that breaking boards will hurt your hands, but only if you pull your punches.
Pulling your punches is what happens when you get afraid of being hurt, so you don't use your full power. The result is you actually cause the pain you were trying to avoid. The way to break boards is to punch with all your strength, to let go of your fear, to lean in.
That's what this summer was for me. At different points I pulled my punches, I got afraid of failure, of looking foolish, of messing up. In those times, I did fail. I was foolish! There were other times as well, times when I decided to lean in, to follow through, to let go of my fear. In those times, I was more aware of the grace of God and the grace of his people. Your prayers were strength in my arm and steadiness to my feet. Thank you.
May we all lean into God together.
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