For a while now, I’ve
been thinking about what I could write as a status/tweet/caption to remember
this day. The more I thought, the more words I wanted to write with. It was
obvious I wouldn’t be able to contain this post to a limited character count.
Therefore, I’m picking up my blogging quill, dipping it in my memory inkwell,
and setting fingers to keys after months without writing.
I could’ve written a
“This Time Last Year” post all the way back in October when I was at the state
wide Baptist Colligate Ministry conference, Confluence. At Confluence in 2013,
Daniel, Stewart and I, along with other Hands On students, were commissioned
and prayed over. I could’ve written another “This Time Last Year” post when I
was studying for fall semester finals and then packing up for Christmas break.
In 2013, I was taking the last finals I’d take for a whole year. I was packing
up not just bags for Christmas break, but my entire room. I could’ve written a
“This Time Last Year” post in the middle of January when, in 2013, I made a
trip to Statesboro to say goodbye to some
of my favorite friends.
I could have written
a “This Time Last Year” post on Sunday. I was blessed to be commissioned at my
home church, Centennial, around family and dear friends. I then went to the
annual Shultz Super Bowl Party where I got to eat, cheer and fellowship with family
for the last time until July.
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| Super Bowl Sunday - Last Cousin picture until July |
I definitely could’ve
written a “This Time Last Year” post late, late, late Sunday night/Monday
morning. My anxious heart, OCD tendencies, prideful spirit was beating a mile a
minute, freaking out about the unknown and being stubborn in the fact that I
didn’t want people to know those things were happening. I was “finishing”
packing three seasons worth of clothes and what not into
one “big” yellow
suitcase.
All of those “last
year” moments lead up to Monday night when I had to hug the necks of my father,
mother, brother and sisters one last time and walk through security to board
one of many flights to Brasil, by way of Peru.
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| Headed for Lima |
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| Spring Hands On Student Missionaries |
Over the past seven
months, since being home, I’ve had opportunity after opportunity to talk about and
reflect on Brasil. I’ve had memories hit me while waiting in line at a store,
riding the bus on campus and sitting around tables during meal times. I’ve
dreamed about Brasil more times than I can count. I’ve told stories to the
point where my audiences could probably
tell the stories better than I.
When people ask me
“Would you ever go back?” I have to stop myself before saying “In. A. Heart.
Beat.” Don’t get me wrong; I love Brasil, and I do have the desire to go back
and visit. However, one of the things God has taught me over the last year,
especially the last seven months, is that there are seasons in our lives and
each season should be treasured.
Brasil was a
beautiful, educational, delicious, spiritual, strugglesome, colorful season in
my life. I was given an allotted time in Brasil to do what I did. No more, no
less. So while I’d love to go back to Brasil “in a heart beat,” that’s not the
season I’m at now.
Right now, I’m in the season of earing a degree at Georgia
Southern University. (And trust me, this season is just as beautiful,
educational, delicious, spiritual, strugglesome, and colorful as Brasil was.
Just in a totally different way.)
I’ve had to learn
that my time as a Hands On student missionary in São Leopoldo is over. The
glorious part of that lesson is that the work
I was doing as a Hands On student missionary is nowhere near over. There are
new students headed that way as I type. Chris, Melody and Michael are still
there. The seeds my team and I planted, loved on and watered are still growing.
God is so great in the fact that He allows us
to play such a minor role in His feature film.
So while I’d like to
go back to Brasil, I can’t at this moment. I treasure Brasil. I treasure the
time I got with my Brasilian family, Chris, Melody and Michael, my teammates,
the professors and our Brasilian friends. I treasure the train rides, the walks,
the bus rides, the rice and beans. I treasure ZOE. I treasure the holidays and
beautiful scenery.
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| Dancing at ZOE |
At the same time, I’m
treasuring Georgia Southern. I’m treasuring the girls and fun of 73 Hawthorne.
I’m treasuring the online homework and reading analyses. I’m treasuring the
two-hour drives to spend birthdays with my sisters and brother. I’m treasuring
a new job on campus.
I’m treasuring Mexican, Chick-fil-A and Waffle House.
This time last year,
I had no idea of the treasures I would pack away in my suit case to bring with
me back to the States. I had no idea what I’d learn about another
country/culture, missions and myself. I had no idea I’d fall so in love with a
place that it would become a second home.
So while I reflect on
my “this time last year” memories, I’m also praying for the “this time next
week/month” moments for the new Hands On students. They have a journey of epic
proportions ahead of them. I pray they will learn from the mistakes my
teammates and I made. I pray they soak up the wisdom and expertise of Chris and
Melody. I pray they latch onto the Spirit and cling to Him for guidance. I pray
they treasure this season.
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| First selfie back in America |
Thank You, Lord, for the season that was Brasil. Thank You, Lord, for
the treasure that is Georgia Southern. Thank You for opportunities such as
Hands On. Thank You for the support I received from family and friends this
time last year. Thank You for Gabriel and Matt and their obedience to Your
call. I pray You love on them this season, especially these first couple of
weeks. I lift up Chris, Melody and Michael as they continue the ministry that
is ZOE. Lord, thank You for loving me in such a way that I see You in every
memory of Brasil. Thank You for Jesus and the initial call to “Follow Me.”
Busy treasuring and probably
going to be late to class,
Taylor Lea
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.
I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
John 10:10
For everything there is a season, and a time for
every matter under
heaven.
Ecclesiastes 3:1
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the
best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish,
but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Ephesians 5:15-17
