It's over, but my blog is not...

As I have mentioned, my summer mission experience in Chula, Ga. is over. It was hard and easy to leave. I truly enjoyed working with the youth at First Baptist! However, I missed everything about home- my family, my friends, my house, my cat, and my town.

Summer missions was a great experience for me. I learned so much. I think some of the things I learned are so deep they have yet to surface. The lesson that probably had the most impact on my life was my lesson in Grace. I'm embarrassed to say that only now, after being saved for fifteen years, do I understand that Grace is not about works. For years I struggled with perfection addiction. I knew the verses that said salvation was based on faith not works. Well, that enemy who's out to stop us Christians. He's a good liar. In fact, the bible says He is the "Father of lies". I knew that too, but it didn't keep me from fearing Hell. I had gotten so caught up in working my way to Heaven I didn't have a security in my salvation. Long story short, I have been praying and thinking about this for years and one day it clicked. The things I knew with my head finally made it to my heart. I finally truly understand that I will never understand Grace. It is that powerful and amazing. I know that I am a human that can do nothing apart from God. God, in His great mercy, made a way despite my sinfulness and I have been made new not perfect. Praise God!

I learned many other lessons. I learned that time with God daily really does deepen your relationship with Him.( I know- DUH) Sometimes, you have to prove what you know. I knew going into summer missions that to lead I had to be fed with the Word. So, I made it a priority in my days. Through that one move, I began to sense the closeness of God. Don't get me wrong. God and I have had a relationship for years. I knew that closeness to Him came from time with Him. For a while, I had gotten so busy in MY life(BIG mistake) I had failed to spend valuable time with Him. Even now coming home, I feel myself slipping back into the habit of giving Him second best.

So, I'm going to get off now and spend some time with my Savior. I will write later with more things I have learned this summer.

In His Love,
Jennifer