I cannot believe that it has only been a few weeks since I have packed up everything I owned (and then some) and made the 8 hr drive from Gordonsville TN to Raleigh NC. I had a lot of time to think on this drive, and so many questions flooded my thoughts: Who will I become? What impact will I make? What will my fellow fellows be like? How will the Lord use me?
Every expectation was shattered as we dove in head first to the work of knowing each other better and laughing a lot through our orientation retreat (WE LOVE YOU LAKE GASTON.) The more time I spend with this group of incredible new friends the more they feel like old ones.
I came into this new season of life hopeful and expectant of what the Lord will do with these 9 months, and in these first few weeks I have seen His spirit at work so clearly! He has brought together this group of people that we may have the chance to grow together in community with one another and lean into the things He is doing already.
As I am reflecting on this first month of life as a fellow, the word that keeps coming back is abundance. An abundance of laughter, stories, meals spent together, and of course you can’t spell abundance without “dance” so there are also a lot of dance parties happening!!!!!! Most importantly I have seen a glimpse of the “abundant life” that we read about in John 10:10 !!
“Anyone who goes through me will be cared for- will freely go in and out and find pasture. A thief is only here to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” - John 10:9-10
I feel so deeply grateful that I get to share in this abundant life with this group of people (including our fearless and wonderful leader Ashbut) and I can already see the Lord’s consistency and refining as we start this new chapter of our lives together. I am so hopeful and so excited about our time and pray that it does not go by too quickly!
I pray that we will all go out and experience this abundant life, with limitless joy and a spirit that is wild and free!
Much love!!!!!!!
Lauren Lamont