.changes.

i know that things change. as humans we are meant to change both inside and out. whether it means changing characteristics about ourselves or where we live, nothing ever stays the same. as followers we are called to change more into the likeness of christ each and every day. some days i am better about laying down my old self and putting on the new.

colossions 3:12-13
therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. bear with each other and forgive whatever grievences you may have against one another. forgive as the Lord forgave you.

we clothe ourselves daily, we change daily. i wish that i always put on compassion and gentleness, but some days i don't. some days i choose not to change and i regret it. i regret not changing to be more like my savior. i have changed since beginning tour 1 year ago. God has guided me as a daughter being led by her father. i have learned lessons that can't be told. i have travelled to hundreds of places and met even more people who are each walking down their own paths. many of these people have encouraged, confronted, and strengthened me. and in the end God has changed me through these people. and life has changed for each of you over the past year. there have been celebrations, accomplishments, disagreements, uprootings.

over the past year i have seen the lives of my friends and family change. many have deepened their walk with Christ, begun new jobs, married, travelled the world, cried, stayed home, kept in contact, laughed, and much more. part of me wishes that i could have been there for those things instead of witnessing them at a distance, but i know i am to be here for this season. and after this season with the ACC, i will change once again. it will be hard. it may be one of the hardest things i have ever done, to say goodbye to the children and chaperones as we have spent 15 months together nonstop. i don't know what changes God has for me tomorrow or the day after that, but i hold to the promise that they are good. for each of us who follows Him, His promises are sweet and true.