I am not even sure where to begin.
I did not have any philosophical/theological revelations.
I did not hear the audible voice of God telling me the next steps of my life. (You know, the voice that sounds like Morgan Freeman? Yeah, that voice.)
I DID, however, discover the TRUE meaning to why God called me on this trip.
I've discovered how God sees me and that I needed to be responsible and take ownership of it.
The first few days of my trip was spent in Annecy, France. This is a small, quaint city outside of Geneva. When I arrived, I quickly unpacked and walked to the park to sit and just collect my thoughts. I found a park bench that overlooked the lake and the mountain. The view was magnificent!!! It was like I was sitting in front of a giant postcard. See picture below.
It was there that God first attempted to tell me why I was on this journey. I remember whispering and journaling this: "Wow, this is such a beautiful view!"
"I've created all this for you to see. I create beautiful things. I've created you. You are beautiful." was God's reply.
God had to hammer this concept inside of my head and heart in all different ways. At first I was just like "Thanks for the compliment." and move on with my agenda. He kept pounding this concept in me in all different ways and it wasn't until the last day of my trip that I finally got it and accept it without hesitation. It was so freeing!! God has called me His beautiful jewel and that I was not to be hidden away, but to be shown to the world.
My trip was far more than I have expected. It accomplished one thing and a little bit of another. But that ONE thing was HUGE! I am learning to love myself and to walk in confidence through life. I needed this boost of confidence so that He can begin to do bigger and better things in and through me. I needed to accept myself so that I can be a blessing to others.
I woke up on 1/1/08 with this: "Grace. 2008 is going to be a big year!" So far, it has been great and more than I could possibly have imagined!
The journey is just starting....
