friends!! i just found this note in my notesapp from a few weeks ago & wanted to share with everyone! God is good. 

marissa, 

wow, You. Did. It. You said yes. Yes to God. Yes to your community. Yes to your dreams. Yes to what younger you wanted & wished for. You made her proud. And now I, future you, am here to say a few things: 

1. Do not be afraid. Your God is for you in all of your brokenness & authenticity & tears & laughs & doubts. He wants your heart, not your masked self. 
2. These people will become your family. You'll spend thanksgiving with Kourt & Quince, be held by Erika, live with Gabs & even maybe go to waffle house with Elijah Mcgrail. You'll love & hug & cry & wake up to & fall asleep to & fight for these people. 
3. Believe in the Holy Spirit in you. With all of the thoughts & second guessing that the enemy will throw at you, believe that you are protected by God. His Holy Spirit dwells in you. Yes you hear His voice, no you're not crazy. Trust Him. 
4. Take in the moment. Don't always be looking forward & hoping & pushing for the next thing. God has so much to do at samaritans purse in LA, in Guatemalan bball courts & on Costa Rican streets. You made it this far, enjoy it. Laugh & celebrate & choose in more. 
5. You can do it. You can do the hard thing. You can forgive him. You can receive faith. You can co-lead logistics. You can feel the love of the Holy Spirit. You can claim holy ground. You can be a minister of reconciliation. You can see the face of God. 

& He wants all of this for you. Choose in. Press in. Stay humble. Worship hard. Be with Jesus. Love your sisters & brothers well. God is for you. 

<3 your future self