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
ally girl!!!! so so proud of you!!! love you so big!!!
Ally, what a powerful testimony! Thanks so much for being vulnerable and sharing from your heart. I know it will a blessing and encouragement to others. God continue to equip you and bless you on this journey.
Excited for what God is doing IN you and what He is going to do THROUGH you in the months ahead. Proud of you kiddo! Love ya loads.
Dear Ally,
Wow! I knew Papa would be working in powerful ways! I’m glad that you learned the difference between shame and guilt. So many children of God haven’t learned that super important truth! Continue to be vulnerable! He has so much more for you!
Love and blessings! Kelly
I am so proud of you! You are such a light to this group and I really admire vulnerability!! Keep on dancing girl!
So so good. Thanks for sharing.
WOW!! Girly, the Lord is so sweet! I loved reading about your experience and how the shame vs. conviction teaching spoke to your heart! I am also left with: wow!! You are an encouragement and light to others! I encourage you to continue to press in and ask the Lord for more! More ways to let go of the shame, more ways to prevent the enemy from entering, more ways to grow in the Lords strength, more ways to live in the Lords truth! I am so exciting to hear more about your journey!
Praising God for the blessings you get for serving!
I love you Ally Jean. I can’t wait for what God has in store you. It’s going to be incredible.
A little late getting to this one . . . . but . . . . The change in your smile and your joy evident. To The King!!! You are a priceless princess of the King of Kings and nothing about you will ever cause Him to see your as anything else.