Happy Nearly New Year, everyone.
I've been so anxious to have a means of communication again, as we rarely had internet for the 3 months I was on the base, nor during our two months out of the country. It has been SO difficult not being able to communicate, but I know there was a reason God had me in a season of total solitude. He has required from me such an utter dependence upon Him alone during this time, and it is so clear, as I look back, how necessary that solitude was for my healing. Heading into this season, I knew the Lord was calling me to “return to Him,” but I did not fully understand what that truly required until I arrived and began digging deep into a process of surrender, healing, and
restoration that spanned the entire 5 months I was here. It's so funny to look back over this half -year, and realize that, even though I received some great musical training as a worship leader, God's actual purpose for bringing me here was a total transformation and restoration of my identity.More than any of the music, this was a season of healing. Week after week, I was poured into by various leaders, pastors, and speakers – being counseled, prayed for, and taught by some of the most godly people I have ever met. Not to mention the incredible family I had in my fellow students. We were just 7 – but I have come away with some of the deepest, most precious brothers and sisters I have had in all my life.
During our lecture phase, I was stretched and challenged in my view of nearly every aspect of my faith. We were trained and taught in SO many different areas – from Intimacy with our Father, to the biblical basis of worship,how to lead a worship team, how to record and produce music, and most importantly, how to be fully led by the Holy Spirit in every aspect as we develop a worship ministry.We wrote music every single week, led worship in churches and events in and around Nashville, and received some 
It was an incredible experience that has prepared me for SO much more as I step out into writing music and leading worship wherever God takes me next.
We traveled to Mexico for our last 2 months (we didn't end up going to Spain because of some financial issues – so we remained in Mexico the entire time). Our days were spent working alongside innumerable churches and communities, serving, leading worship, teaching seminars, and spending the majority of our time in personal, and consistent relationships with individuals.God was able to use our team immensely in this currently war-torn country.
We spent many weeks working in Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation centers, praying for healing in hospitals, and feeding the homeless. During some of our other open evenings, we often worked in a place that we named "Death Street." It is known as one of the most dangerous streets in the city, not only for the drug abuse, trafficking, gang violence, and murder, but it is also one of the most highly saturated areas of witchcraft, Satanism and worship of Santa Muerte (Saint Death). It was a risk, but we continued to return (even after a local gang member tried to stop us and tell us it wasn't safe), because our hearts were passionate for the desperate people in this area.
Our months in Mexico were filled with beautiful opportunites to leave a piece of what God poured into us during our school in the lives of these precious people.
I recently flew home to be with my precious family for Christmas, and to spend some time resting as I prepare for the next season of my life. I'm returning as a woman completely transformed by the healing power of my sweet Father, and am anxious to continue walking in all that he has begun in me this year.
If you find time, would you mind praying for this transition phase that I am entering into? I have done it so many times before, but it is never easy returning home after such an intense season of growth and change. Please pray for sweet time with my parents, and for a heightened trust and assurance in the plans that God has waiting for me – even when I can't see them fully. That I will truly be able to receive this time of rest that He has blessed me with, and seek His face every single day, drawing deeper and deeper into the intimacy that He and I have rediscovered during this time. And that my natural desire to plan and know what's to come would be overwhelmed by my confidence and trust that my Father has a perfect plan for my future, and that He is already preparing the way.
I pray for a beautiful transition into this new year for each of you. May it be a season filled with new and magnificent things.
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