The Final Countdown.

The title is referencing the three days there are left until I leave for New Zealand, not the cheesy epic song by the '80s rock band 'Europe'. 

The final countdown is beginning and the reality of  my trip is finally hitting me! In the face. Hard. In the last couple days I have experienced more emotions than I could have imagined would come with a 5 month trip to pursue a relationship with God. I have been feeling stress, utter excitement, anxiety, fear, happiness, sadness, trustful and doubtful. But because of all of these feelings I am learning so much about God's character. 

Every time I am sad about leaving my family and loved ones, when I am stressed about packing, when I am scared about moving to a country where I know no one, or that old anxiety I have struggled with starts to creep in- the Lord moves in some way, reminding me that this is HIS PLAN!!!! He has called me there! He has provided to get me this far already! I have no reason to be feeling these things. I find comfort in the little (and big) ways He reminds me that He is ultimately in control.

The other day I was driving to my boyfriend's house to spend some time with him and his family before he and I both leave for our trips (Braxton is going to South Africa for a month on missions the same day I leave for my DTS!) feeling very anxious and stressed, when I noticed the only other car on the road with me was a little black Volkswagen with the license plate 'JUSTIC3'. If you didn't know before, I am attending the Justice DTS program during my time in New Zealand. The main theme of this school is to be God's hands and voice to free the oppressed- those suffering from INjustice. I immediately knew the Lord sent me this little message to remind me that this is where HE is sending me. This is where I am called to be for this time in my life! If I am going to pursue God's will, why in the world should I be afraid?

From this sweet reminder, to words of encouragement family and friends have sent me, to little moments where I am reminded what this is all about; I am seeing God's kind, faithful, and patient character more everyday.

With only a few days left to prepare, I suppose it is inevitable that I will at some point become flustered by all of the commotion. But I am asking for your prayers that I will ultimately keep my eyes on the big purpose here! Pray that I will remember the reason I am doing all this- to serve God, to serve the hurting and oppressed people of the world!

All of this being said, I am so so so so so very excited about the journey I have ahead of me. Maybe not so much the er, physical journey of traveling for forty-eight hours across the world all by my lonesome; but definitely the spiritual journey and the adventure that I am about to embark on! I want to thank anyone who takes the time to read my blog, I cannot tell you how much it means to me to be able to share all of this with you. I want to take you with me every step of the way! Thank you so much to those who have helped get me here, and to those who are praying for me.


Money raised so far: about $4,500 (wow)
Money still needed: about $3,000 


To anyone who would like to support me- If you would like to donate to my outreach fund, please let me know! Paypal is available right here on my blog, or you can send me a message through Facebook to get my contact info. Thank you so much for your donations, whether it be 5 dollars or 50, anything helps and is such a HUGE blessing to my ministry! :)


Much Love, Holly