Cindy Meyers ♥

So I'm home! Back in the good 'ole USA. I have to admit, it feels pretty strange since I was outta the country for half a year.

Home so far has been, if I'm being completely honest, hard. Change has never been an easy thing for me and this time around hasn't really been any different. But I think the thing that has made it the most difficult is the death of Cindy Meyers. Before I left last summer, I had been working with Joe and Cindy Meyers at our church's youth group. I got to spend lots of time with them, laughing, praying and encouraging the youth. They all liked to make fun of me for eating raw green beans and hummus. :) By the time I was leaving, Cindy was in a lot of pain and going through test but they didn't yet know what exactly was wrong. While I was in Finland, I was informed that she had pancreatic cancer. I prayed and prayed for her and even shared with my friends in Finland and they prayed with me. I was so anxious to come home and be able to pray for her in person. But I never got that chance. I found out that on wednesday morning, Cindy passed away.

Back in July when Corey and I release our album, Cindy was in the hospital during the cd release party and wasnt able to make it. But Joe took one home to her and she told me later that she would listen to it over and over and it made being in the hospital easier. Joe shared again today at the funeral, that out of all her cd's she had, she chose to listen to mine and Coreys. They even played our cd at the funeral. It means so much to know that my music helped to bring her peace in the midst of all her pain.

You don't know how much someone added to your life until they aren't in it anymore. Being a missionary I'm always missing someone but I know I may get the chance to see them again soon. I know I will see Cindy again one day, but not having her where I know her to be won't be easy. Our youth group wont be the same without her. Love you Cindy! You're missed greatly! <3

Leaving Finland

So crazy to think that 6 months ago, I left my home country to come to this new place I had never been and staying with people I didn't even know. It was a huge leap of faith for me but it's been one of the best things God has put in my life. I'm so grateful to have had this opportunity. It has seriously changed my life.

I was driving home with Mirjami from the Davidson's house tonight and we got to talking about how we've changed during this school. I know one of my biggest struggles has been making God the first person I run to in crisis. A really horrible place to be. So when I came here, not being familiar with the culture, language, or even people, I was put in a place of complete dependance on God. Anytime I needed help, I learned to run to Him. He even went a step further by giving me the opportunity to lead the outreach  by myself. Of course I wasn't alone though. I had the best helper ever! It really taught me how to continue to run to Him and push all my problems (and everyone else's problems) to Him. It's a lesson that I really needed to learn. I had become so dependent on people to have the answers for me all the time, but now I have learned that I can get them from God. And besides, His always work out better anyway. :)

I also learned the valuable lesson of being selfless. Surprisingly, life is not all about me even if I think it should be (totally kidding). I learned how to not make my problems the center of my life. I learned how to say, God I cant have this in my life right now. Please take it. By doing that I was able to focus on others more and how to help them. I found that normally when I gave a problem to God even though I may have not had an answer, I usually found the answer I needed without even having to go looking for it. He's so faithful.

Before I came to Finland I had made a list of things I needed to see breakthrough in my life. I found that list today and I can honestly say I've seen breakthrough in almost ALL of those things!!! PTL!!
This season has been amazing. I'm sad to leave it but I know I can't stay in this place forever. I know God has more in store for me and I'm so excited to step into this new season. Even though I have no idea what it holds. But I don't have to. God knows me so well, and He knows what's in my heart and how He can use me best to bring His Kingdom on this earth. I'm ready to take this step, even though it means leaving people who have become dear friends behind.

Thank you to each and every person who has made this season of my life absolutely amazing! It wouldn't have been the same had you not been a part of it!

Well, tomorrow Mirjami and I head to Budapest! Exciting to go somewhere new before heading back to my home country! I seriously LOVE my life. I'm one terribly blessed person. :) Obedience to God, is more than worth it!