Hey there!

One word to describe my time here so far: Wow.

I have been having such a great time here in Gainesville, Georgia! I actually enjoy living in a tent and I absolutely love seeing my squad everyday. They are so awesome! We have a routine of what we do here everyday and I have been enjoying that and learning so much. Here is how my life has already changed: I recommitted my life to God! So here is the story haha:

So September 11, 2021, I arrived at the AIM (Adventures in Missions) Base in Gainesville, Georgia (YAY!!). A couple days later a lady came and spoke to us about the difference between guilt and shame. Guilt = good and shame = shut up enemy. I have been living in shame for sooo long. I let satan control my life and believed the lies I told myself that were from him instead of believing and listening to the Voice of Truth. What I learned is that God is bigger. He will never remind me of the things I have done in my past, He thinks of our sins no more. He forgets about them. 

On Friday, September 17, I had a 1 on 1 with my Squad Mentor, Kirsten. She was just asking me about my life growing up, about my family, community, etc. I answered all the questions and then she said to me that she felt like there was something more. I was kind of being stubborn at first and didn’t want to open up, so I just said something random that was “bothering” me. Then she said okay, but there is something else. So then I started to cry and told her I don’t think God is in my heart anymore because I haven’t lived my life for Him like I should. I have pushed Him away for so many years and never make time for Him a priority. I told her that the guilt and shame session we had really spoke to me and that I was living in shame and letting the enemy control my life. Then she said to me that maybe I should consider recommitting my life to the Lord and that is exactly what I did. I felt like a huge weight was off my shoulders and I felt so much peace.

I am continuing to seek God more and staying steadfast in Him and in His Word. I can’t wait to see more of how God will teach me in these next several months! 

Thank you for reading!! :)

Ally