i will boast of the things that show my weakness

I have so much to thank the Lord for right now.

- My support raising for my DTS has exceeded the halfway point thanks to the generous contributions of so many and I now have only about $2,000 left to raise (!!!)

- All of my paperwork has gone through and I have my student VISA as well as my blue card

- I had a wonderful meet-up with a friend who has completed an Arts DTS and she was so encouraging and gave a lot of helpful advice

- I'm about to finally be able to purchase my very own camera at a reasonable price (shoutout to Facebook marketplace).

Things are coming together and I can see God moving so beautifully in all of this.

I leave for Australia in a few weeks (three to be exact!) and as my excitement grows, so grows with it the anxiety of things still left undone. In my haste to get things done, I have been making a lot of mistakes. I really hate making mistakes.

Scratch that - I really hate making dumb, messy mistakes. From a speeding ticket to a poorly-researched investment, I've been facing the consequences of my own lack of wisdom and patience, and (for a while) beating myself up about it.

A much-needed conversation with my Dad (bless his heart) reminded me that my mistakes, however frustrating, are not the end of the world. And I will continue to make them time and time again because I am not Christ, nor can I ever become Christ.

But the most wonderful thing about these mistakes is that I can see the Lord working in and redeeming them - and redeeming me simultaneously. My speeding ticket reminded me that I am not invincible, and I cannot be so careless with my life and with the lives of others. My poor investment, though I did not receive much from it, provided much-needed money for someone else's tuition.

Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 11:30 to, "boast of the things that show [our] weakness," which seems strange to me and, generally speaking, to humanity. We would rather boast in our accomplishments and successes, make Facebook posts about our promotions at work or college graduations, and say to the world, "We're doing just fine over here thanks!"

The Lord wants us to be proud of our weakness, because He is still present in them. So I am trying to learn to boast in my weaknesses and mistakes, to embrace the humanness in me, and to move forward when I mess up rather than dwell in negative self-talk and self-pity.

To everyone following along with me on this journey - I want to give my most sincere thanks. Thank you for encouraging me, supporting me through prayer and finances, and most of all, for loving me well.

Please pray with me that God would continue to teach me new things and prepare me to head out in a few weeks, that He would continue to provide through His people to allow me to complete this DTS, and that He would allow me to cross off the rest of my to-do list before I leave.

If you're interested in contributing a financial gift, first of all - thank you! And second of all - don't hesitate to reach out to me with any questions! Checks can be made out to Kirkwood Presbyterian Church and mailed to: 8336 Carrleigh Pkwy, West Springfield, VA 22152

Thank you again. Thank you thank you thank you a million times THANK YOU.

-bw