A New Season Embarks...

The journey seems so close, but yet still so far away....

I found out that I'll be going to Kona, Hawaii in the beginning of April of 2010. I will be with an organization called YWAM (Youth With A Mission). For 6 months I will be doing a DTS (Discipleship Training School). For the first three months I will be learning all about missions, the heart of the father, going deeper in my relationship with Him, making tons of new friends, and experiencing things I've only dreamed of and also things I never thought I would face. The second three months I will going on the mission field and being put into situations where I will experience hands on things I had learned about in the previous three months.
Here's the biggest excitement of all... I will also be doing photography throughout the whole process. This DTS is called PhotogenX. I will be using photography to fight the injustice that our world faces daily. From children to grown adults, I will be using a gift that the Lord has blessed me with to help out in any way that I can.
This is a dream come true for me!! If you know me, you know I love the Lord and you also know I love photography. And the fact that I am going to be able to merge the two in this next season of my life makes my heart leap like crazy!! :)

When I found out that I was going, honestly my heart sunk. I felt more sad than happy. I knew that leaving would not just mean me missing 6 months of my nieces and nephews lives, or missing out on what the Lord was doing in the youth in my church, or not being able to hug my family ... but it also meant that I was physically, emotionally, and mentally letting go of things that had held me back on my past, things that I know I have to let go of... but have not had the strength or courage to do so. Seems like it'd be a great thing right, that i'd be able to let go finally of this crap? Well yes it seems like it, but when you are tied down for so long - freedom can be a very scary thing.
About a week later now from finding out, I am still a little scared but more than scared I am so excited to see what the Lord has for me. He knows me better than I know myself. He put the desires in my heart and He longs for them to be filled... and I cannot wait to see how He plans on doing that!!

So... I ask that you be praying for me. For provision, courage, peace... and really whatever comes to your mind!! :)
I will be updating this blog not too much from now until when I leave, but definitely check back every so often to see whats going on and how the Lord is providing the funds part of the trip!!
When I leave in April is when I will be updating this regularly.

Love you guys, thanks so much!!

-Lizzie