Gainesville, Georgia

  Gainesville, Georgia. How I love you so much.

  When I first found out I was going to be spending three months in Gainesville, I wasn’t too ecstatic. In fact I cried in the front seat of my best friend’s car. There were so many times I questioned if that was really where God was calling me to go. At the time it didn’t make much sense, but now I know God’s timing is perfect, and He has a reason for every season He takes us into. 

  I couldn’t have imagined being thrown onto the mission field for nine months with only two weeks of training. My time in Georgia taught me so many things that I didn’t even know I needed to learn. Things that I’m so glad I know now before having to go overseas. 

  I was taught what it actually means to be pursued. Within my first month of being there I received a prophetic key with the word “Pursuit” written on it. Immediately I thought to myself, the Lord just wants me to focus on Him during this time. He wants me to put Him first, and pursue Him wholeheartedly! He then showed me that He actually wanted me to know what it meant to be pursued, to have a steadfast love shown to me. He revealed to me that I am Christ’s bride. I am meant to be respected and honored. That I am a precious child of the king that is worthy of pursuit because of what Christ did for me on the cross. How sweet is Abba. I always felt as if I had to perform to earn His love. Which i knew deep down I didn’t, but it was a lie I believed. But in that he showed me that all I have to do is simply exist for Him to love me. For him to desire to know me. He doesn’t see me as my mess and brokenness. He sees me as whole and cherished. 

  Not only did the Lord teach me that I’m worthy of pursuit, but He taught me what walking in my identity as a daughter truly meant. Our very first team time we went around and shared something we were passionate about. I said that I was passionate about people knowing their identity in Christ. Little did I know I was about to walk into a season of diving deeper into that very thing. I was told not once, but twice, by super cool Godly women that the Lord wanted me to ask Him about my identity and ask Him to take me deeper. So that’s just what He did! He broke down a lot of walls I didn’t even know were up. He asked me to put my full trust in Him. He asked me to walk with my hands open, ready to receive, not holding on to anything. What a time Lord! Wow, thank you for showing me who you say I am. Thank you for teaching me that it’s okay to receive love! 

I could go on and on about the many things the Lord has taught me since being on the World Race, but that would take literally forever. If you want to know more, or want to talk, message me! I’d love to share!! 

    Something else I wanted to talk about was the people that I added to my family. The 40 people I shared a living space with. The 40 people who were there through all the tears, all the laughs, all the laughing while tears simultaneously well up in my eyes. The 40 people that love me so intentionally. Georgia quickly became my home. Living in a tent and showering out of a storage container is not all that glamorous. Being stuck on the same ole piece of land everyday isn’t all that great either. But, the people I got to spend it with made it home. They made it the best three months of my life. They are people who love like Jesus. People who seek others out. People of encouragement. I am so excited to take this home to Costa Rica! 

  Thank you Father for Gainesville, Georgia. Thank you for not following my plan. Thank you for the 40 people I get to love so dearly. Thank you for training me so I can now go out and love people so much deeper. You are such a good Father. I wouldn’t have traded Gainesville for the world! See you soon Costa! 

Love,

Sydney

P.S. I’m still fundraising to be on the World Race. If you feel led to donate you can do so by hitting the donate tab! Otherwise please be in prayer for financial blessings and my squad as we prepare to launch overseas! I appreciate you taking your time to read all that the Lord is doing in my life! I thank you for partnering alongside me to make a difference in our world!