My 2023 Year in Review

At first glance, a year encompasses a large amount of time. However, once you think about the year regarding your lifespan, it feels more like a blink in time.

That is how this past year has felt. A blink and then it is over.

So much has happened in the span of this year. As 2023 ends, I want to take a moment to give God the glory for all that He has done in my life over the past 365 days.

Finances

The first thing I want to praise the Lord for is my financial support. It feels like the biggest (if you can even rank the miraculous things He does) and most tangible blessing. I wouldn't be at the point I am today without the Lord's kindness and provisions.

At the beginning of 2023, I was at 8% of my monthly financial need and 31% of my pre-field expense need.

Now, as 2023 comes to a close, the Lord has brought in 70% of my monthly financial need and 100% of my pre-field expense need! Thank you!

Without the connections and prompting that the Lord has given, I would still be at 8%. I am continually in awe of how many God moments I have experienced this year. 

Whether it was a much-needed conversation, a new donation from someone I’ve never met, an answered prayer through Scripture, or anything in between, He was (and still is) reminding me over and over again that He is with me always. He knows exactly what I need and wants the absolute best for me, even if that doesn’t look like what I thought it would. 

Opportunities

Looking back over 2023, I have been able to travel to so many amazing places and meet so many wonderful people. God has provided countless opportunities for me to share my testimony and invite others to partner with me as we reach to fulfill the Great Commission (Matt. 28-18-20). 

If you knew me before this past year and a half, you would know that public speaking was not a gift of mine, or something I particularly enjoyed. While I still don’t always feel the most confident getting on a stage or picking up a microphone, I have seen the Lord move mountains in me through the various presentations I’ve given this year. These opportunities have led me to trust in Him more, continually remind myself of everything God has done in my life, and connect with individuals that I would not have met otherwise. 

Community

Many times, the season of support raising can feel lonely. It can feel like I am going through the highs and lows by myself. I would not have made it through 2023 without the communities that God has gifted me with.

God has blessed me with several communities that have walked alongside me through every high and low the world has thrown at me. There have been countless times this year that I have prayed to the Lord in desperation, and He has answered through the people around me. My family and friends, new and old, have been a constant light and there are not enough words to express my gratitude for their support as I follow the call God has placed in my life.

November/December Update:

Just like the rest of the year, the past couple of months have flown by. 

At the beginning of November, I was able to complete the last of my pre-field training with a weeklong, in-person training where a handful of missionaries came together in preparation to step into the roles God has called them to. I had already been meeting online with this group, but it was special to gather together in person and learn from one another in a way we weren’t able to do online. The week seemed extra special in that I was able to meet several people who will be on the team in Hungary! 

After the week in Indiana, I traveled to Oklahoma City with the OMS Mobilization team. Every year, the team attends the International Conference on Missions (ICOM). Through this event, we got OMS’ name out there and helped those who feel called to missions discern what opportunities are available to them. 

December was spent with a couple more church presentations and preparing for opportunities in the new year. 

The Lord is so good! I am continually awed at how He is faithfully providing for my every need. After reflecting on all the Lord has done this past year, I could not be more excited to see how He works in my life over the next year. 

Prayers for 2024:

• The Lord to provide the rest of my monthly support in His perfect timing.
• That I will confidently follow the opportunities God places before me.
• For my heart and mind as I prepare for many “see you later”s coming later this year.