Mt. Kinabalu

Mt. Kinabalu

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Fear & Courage

                Just a few short days lie between me and the beginning of my YAGM journey.  Wednesday morning I will board a plane to Chicago where I will be reunited with my fellow travelers and begin a week of orientation.  While I am so close to my dreams being finally realized a little bit of fear sets in too.  Fear of what I might miss in my absence, fear of the unkown, and fear of inadequacy.  However, I am ok with the presence of fear.  I think a little fear can even be a good thing.  As Nelson Mandela once said, " I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.  The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear."  Courage is not always easy to find.  I am anticipating it might be especially hard to find when traveling halfway across the world and my support system just doesn't quite fit into my suitcase.  Yet courage becomes so necessary as I begin a year of some of the greatest challenges I have ever faced.  It is a good thing love is something that doen't need a suitcase to carry with you. 
               I am so grateful to be surrounded by love from family, friends, and even people I barely know.  I felt an overwhelming outpouring of love last Sunday as Christ Lutheran Church blessed my YAGM journey through a beautiful sending service.  As I spoke about my dreams I was the lucky recipient of dreams more beautiful than I could have possibly imagined from members of the congregation.  I will carry these dreams with me in a tangible way as I bring my box of dreams to Malaysia.  However, I know I will also carry an abundance of love and support from my congregation.  As a part of the service the congregation gathered around me and read the verse at the top of this blog, which so happens to be my confirmation verse.  "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." -Romans 15:13 In that moment, with such wonderful people all around me, I was certainly filled with joy, peace, and hope for what was to come.  I do not go without fear but I do go with love, which just might be an even greater conquerer of fear than courage.  I am so blessed and grateful for the beautiful people walking this journey with me every step of the way.       
 
 Below are just a few of the special people from CLC who will be walking with me.

 



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3 comments:

  1. stuwasAugust 12, 2013 at 9:13 AM

    Delia,

    What a wonderful journey.....you have become quite a young woman.!
    Although Stu and I haven't seen you or spent time with you during your high school or college years.....we remember all the incredible times we spent with you and your mom and dad while you were an infant and a young child. We have the funniest photos..and we spent many times with your parents before you were even born. We know that you have inherited all their fantastic qualities...Good luck as you begin your trip..we wish you well and look forward to hearing about your adventure through your blog and through photos,....we love you, Michele & Stu

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  2. AnonymousAugust 12, 2013 at 9:56 AM

    Hi, Delia, We are so proud of you and can't wait to hear about this new adventure! I know some of the fear and excitement you are feeling, but your fear and excitement and dreams are completely unique to you and you already exhibit huge amounts of courage in just signing up to do this! Our prayers and lots of love go with you on your journey. Keep in touch as you can and we will do what we can to support you here. We love you, your Aunt Chris

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  3. AnonymousAugust 16, 2013 at 3:47 PM

    Just saw the video of the Bishop of Malaysia at the Churchwide Assembly, very cool guy, Delia

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