I know it’s been a little while since I’ve blogged. My apologies! It’s not for lack of things to say – God has been teaching me SO much! It’s just for lack of time – so please pray with me that He will help me be productive and focused in this season.
But enough of that rambling- today I just wanted to take a moment to say THANK YOU to all of you who read my blogs and support me financially and through prayer!
Today marks exactly a year for me being at AIM. It’s unbelievable how fast it’s flown by! It seems like it was only a few months ago that I was driving away from Auburn – headed far out of my comfort zone. It’s crazy for me to look back on it all – all the people I’ve met, places I’ve been, and most importantly all the ways I’ve grown this year.
Lately I’ve been hearing a lot from friends my age who are out (like me) in the post-c
ollege world. So many of them are struggling through – trying to find a community of believers, trying to remember who they are in Christ, and trying to find people who will love them, accept them, and challenge them to live their life for God. I am truly blessed to say I have all those things because I work for AIM.
ollege world. So many of them are struggling through – trying to find a community of believers, trying to remember who they are in Christ, and trying to find people who will love them, accept them, and challenge them to live their life for God. I am truly blessed to say I have all those things because I work for AIM.
Just a couple of weeks ago, all my AIM Dads were here- Seth Barnes, Andrew (or as I call him “Papa Shearman“), Gary Black (who I’m sad not to have a picture of – looks like you and Lisa have to come back!), and Michael Hindes (a new AIM Dad who recently came into my life). I was on Cloud 9 having them (and their phenomenal wives) around – hearing them speak and teach, and being blessed by their encouragement and the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives. We were lucky enough to have our World Race Coaches (the Pitts and the Days) and prayer counselors (the Capos) around too. It’s days like that when I realize just how incredibly lucky I am that God would choose me to be here! My life has been so enriched by the men and women we have in leadership here at AIM.
I’m thankful too when I look around at my peers here – the women I call friends. So much of my life this year has been shaped through their love and wisdom. We have those relationships that are “as iron sharpens iron.” I am truly better for having known them.
I am absolutely not the same woman I was last September. (praise God!) Of course I’m thankful to the people HERE for all they’ve done – but I’m also thankful to a few others…
I’m thankful for my family, and the way they supported me in such a sudden decision (when you know God is speaking, sometimes you just have to GO!) and I’m thankful for YOU. YOU – my supporters – have been such an important part of this year. Without you, I would NOT still be here. Without you, I would not be the woman I am today.
So thank you. I thank God for each of you in my life – for His direction, His provision, and for blessing me with you as my friends and supporters. I couldn’t do it without you, and I wouldn’t want to.
Please continue to pray for me as I follow the Lord. We’re going through a season of change around here – dear friends moving away to serve in other countries, new friends coming in, and all our plans being shaken and remade into more of what HE wants to do in us and through us. As scary as it is, I am saying YES to God – YES to continuing this scary, crazy, beautiful, amazing adventure that is a life radically following Him! Thank you so much for journeying with me. I love you all!
EB,
What a fantastic way to end your first year with AIM – giving thanks! I want to thank you for being the servant you are. Thank you for being courageous and contagious! Thank you for stepping up and for stepping out! And finally, thank you for being a Sister that I can be proud of!
God bless you and your work!
Ericka,
Let’s change the word “lucky” to blessed!! I was once reminded that “lucky” is not in a christians vocab…
Yes, you have been BLESSED -blessed with faith, victory, protection and provision. Mighty is our God!
Though I do not personally know you I just want to say “keep following Him dear sister in Christ!” Your blog brings me encouragement in my walk with the Lord. Beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news! I’m off to Swaziland for a 4 month mission trip in a couple days. May God’s will be done in and through the body of Christ all over the world! God bless you!
Ericka, It is so good to hear a thankful heart! I was blessed to be able to spend a good bit of time this morning with the Lord and as I lay outside the library on campus I was just blessed by God, and it is good to share in thanksgiving. I continue to pray for you and am so thankful to have you as a sister in the Lord, let me know if you are back in town sometime! And know that it is such a blessing to see you following hard after the heart of God! Love you! Carrie
Proud of you sis. God Bless ya.
Ericka I miss you so much! You are absolutely amazing!
I can’t believe you used the sand art picture…haha. Oh the crazy lives we lead…Im glad we have gotten to share this year together. Who knew a year ago as we glared at each other from across the pod that we would end up being best friends…God sure does have a sense of humor! Love you friend!
C 🙂