Don't you just love those moments when things start to finally make sense! Its like you have all these things right in front of your face and then all of a sudden BOOM.. light bulb comes on (all blonde jokes aside). Seriously, It's a great feeling and I wanted to share with you that sort of experience I had this past weekend. One of the most influential people in my life is Betty Wiseman who is the assistant athletic director and senior women's administrator at Belmont University. She is a Tennessee women's basketball legend, but most importantly she's an amazing person on all levels. We call her B-Dub or better yet my family. I remember days when I'd come barreling through her office crying like a mad woman. It was probably something dramatic and not sure what it was about, but I do know her door was always open for me to come in there and pray with her. B-Dub takes Belmont athletes on sport evangelism mission trips all over the world. In fact, she has a book called Bounce the Balls and They Will Come based on all her work in the mission field.
I haven't seen B-Dub in a few years mainly because I've associated Nashville with alot of hurt and its like I've blocked out all the good things that did made me happy while I was here. There is this gap between my life in college and my life now. I was able to go to a Belmont game this past weekend and immediately rushed down to see her. Its like she was confused when she saw me. There was this really long hard stare down, the smile, and then the hug that lasted forever. All of a sudden the 2500 people in the gym disappeared and we were back on the rooptop in Rio de Janerio. I talk about that moment alot, because after an exhausting day of mission work in the schools, I was able to finally share a testimony that was on my heart for a long time. It was one of the most vulnerable moment's I ever had and one of the most powerful experiences I've shared with God and my teammates. Seeing B-Dub again brought back those feelings and that fire and passion I had in my heart that night in Brazil. I was able to read a little bit of our journal and literally had tears coming down after reading a daily journal entry I wrote..check it out:http://forum.belmont.edu/rio2008/2008/05/laura.html
I was a different person then. A whole lot has changed, but somehow God put those memories and feelings back into my life for a reason this weekend. I was able to meet with a family friend who is going to Guatemala for 3 years to volunteer as a speech language pathologist at a Christian school for children with disabilities. I was able to listen to her presentation she gave to her Sunday school class based on what she will be doing down there. I was totally moved and it really gave me hope that there are bold women of faith out there who have it together! Her income is based off donations, so I will post her information sometime on facebook and through emails if that's something you would like to help out with.The point I'm trying to get at is never ignore those feelings and passions that you have for something. Life is way too short to throw out the buts, maybe's, or one day... You should always go after what has always been on your heart. With that said, I hope to be out on the mission field in the future when I can get enough money saved up. As for now a recently purchased plane ticket will help me to clarify those buts, maybes, and one day. So, be bold and follow your heart. God knows where you need to be when its all said and done.
So what are you waiting for and what exactly do you have to lose? We all have our insecurities that hold us back, but you know you're made for more. So don't be afraid to get out of your comfort zone.
Your faith is all it takes! No time to waste so don't miss out on everything you were made for, I know you're not sure but God is.
