Raleigh really do be the city y’all. While this saying keeps getting thrown around by myself and my fellow Fellows (we never actually call ourselves that but it’s fun to say it for the #blog), it seems more and more true with each day that passes. The Lord is so consistently creative in how He has assured my heart and soul that “the boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places” (Psalm 16:6). If you haven’t heard the story of how I ended up in Raleigh yet, ask me! It’s one that makes you take note of the Lord’s humor and how He uses it to let us know Him better. But all in all, my first almost-month?! (WHAT? CRAZY!) in Raleigh has been such a testament to the Lord’s hand in my life and in the lives of those around me. It feels surreal that this thing (aka Fellows haha) has been in the works for so long and now it’s my actual, everyday, ordinary life—my sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life. I think one word that neatly captures my, now, life in Raleigh is full. Not lacking anything; complete. That’s exactly how I would describe the first snippet of this new chapter. Fullness that’s filled to the brim and just spilling over onto everything around it. He is so kind and gracious and wild and good and better than anything I could ever imagine. PRAISE BE!!!! Feeling immensely thankful and insanely hopeful for how he is using this city and the people that fill it for His sake and His kingdom to come. The Lord is always in the business of making all things new. (Shoutout to Anne Young for saying this again and again over the summer/in the months leading up to Fellows & saying it with the authority and confidence that has been given to us by Christ himself!) Praying these next 9 months will be a time marked by abundance. Glory like no other! Feels right to end this lil’ entry with words from God himself:
“Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my body also rests securely. For you will not abandon me to Sheol, you will not allow your faithful one to see decay. You reveal the path of life to me; in your presence is abundant joy; at your right hand are eternal pleasures.”
With joy and in Christ always,
Kassie Starnes