I had a dream to go to Africa for several years, then after having a very real dream one night I called my mom and said, "Tell them to count me in." That one sentence completely changed my life. I battled fears and worries and ended up finding a huge piece of my heart in Kenya among the big sky and little children. I cannot wait to go back in 2016. God knew exactly what he was doing.
I finished my journey of living on campus at Lee, and switched to online school after getting an internship at a church near my hometown. I trusted that God would work it out and he came through more than I ever thought he would. I found a home in that church and have amazing leaders to learn from. God knew exactly what he was doing.
I went to Gatlinburg with my family, we had a cabin and filled it with laughs and adventures. We decided to go hiking for a mile or two. Seven miles in and my sister in law and I dying a bit, we finally made it back to the car after missing some trail signs. It was awful but a memory that we all laugh about.
We also took a family trip up the East Coast to DC and Massachusetts to see family. It was probably the longest any of us had been in a car for a long time. We saw many museums, landmarks, and walked the freedom trail. We were able to visit my favorite city of Boston and eat some amazing food at Quincy Market. We also got to go see a lot of family, both my mother and father's sides, and had so many laughs and hugs. We said goodbye to my great grandmother and my brother and I got to play and sing "In the Garden" at her memorial service while sitting in a garden. We all bonded over memories and, in typical Sherwood fashion, lots of food and treats after by the lake.
I looked out upon that lake while fishing and thought of all the summers I spent "up North" and the memories made...and I thought God must've known what he was doing.
Over the Summer I got to intern with four other girls, some still in High school and another in college, and we all got to bond over copies and VBS. These girls became such sweet friends and even though I had never met them before this internship, I know they'll be there anytime I need them and I hope they know I'm always here for them as well. God must've known what he was doing putting us all there.
One of my dearest friends from Evangel in Missouri came for a visit on the craziest week of the Summer...VBS week. She has been one of my closest friends and my confidant for a couple years and she just dove right in the crazy. We had such adventures as I showed her my beloved Georgia. We went to Ikea...she had never been, and drove through the country areas. We went to the zoo and I wanted to keep all the animals. We watched way to many movies and ate way too much food, and learned so many motions for kids worship. She's a forever kind of friend. When God put this friend in my life he knew what he was doing.
My wonderful God-daughters came for a visit for a week and I got to adventure with them and just enjoy their sweet giggles and smiles. I did not know it was possible to love someone else's kids so much until my amazing cousin had these girls. Their momma was my first friend and we have been partners in Christ since birth, and when I see those girls it reminds me that we have grown up but that it only gets better from here. They have the best and strongest mom, and I cannot wait to see where God takes her in this life. I see her girls smiles and I just delight in getting to have them in my family. They'll be world changers. When God put them in our family and gave them to their mom, he knew what he was doing.
Another amazing cousin came to visit, she was another one of my first friends and she is so beyond smart. She is chasing her dreams in South Carolina by the ocean where she is studying books and studying sea creatures... Living her dream one day at a time. I was so beyond thankful to have some time with her and just to know that family lives a little bit closer. She is amazing and I cannot wait to see where she goes in life. God is really doing amazing things in and through her. He knows what he's doing.
I grew closer to friends and family since being home. I have found several families that I know God specifically placed in my family's life. The kids in these families have become my spiritual siblings and the adults my friends and examples in life. I have gained friends that I never knew I needed and learned that community is needed. I have found friends I had prayed for so long to meet. I have found that God has given me and I am so thankful. I have met leaders who I learn from all the time and I am honored to serve alongside. God knows what he is doing.
We lost our sweet dog Jersey, and also my sweet cat Makita. We cried tears and rejoiced on the life they lived. They loved us and we loved them. God knew what he was doing when he gave us animals.
Throughout this year so much has happened, so many adventures and so many problems, but in all of it I have seen the light of God in the background. I have learned more than I ever thought I could. Been pushed past the limits I had placed for myself. I have had a lot of my life changed and I see a lot more changes coming. But in all of this past year I see that God has never stepped away from the controls.
He is constant.
He is gracious.
He knows what he is doing.
I think that sums up 2015 perfectly. In every laugh and highlight on this list there was probably a couple hundred lows, but that is real life and even in those storms of tears and pain-God is still God. He knows what he is doing and I pray I continue to let him lead.
-Lex
