It sounds so stereotypical. A young Christian girl, fresh out of high school, leaves on a 9 month journey across the globe and is forever changed by the people she encounters and the life she lives...
Well then, I guess I am a stereotype. I didn't realize it every time it happened but over the past 9 months I have changed. Some things that changed were very minor while others were major parts of "me"
When I left for this trip I was so afraid to come home different or "weird". I was afraid to let any part of "me" (that I thought defined my character) go. I was afraid to come home and be a different person. Now I understand why, it is scary to change especially when people at home aren't or are changing in a different way.
Standing where I am now, looking back, I am so mad at myself for thinking like that. It has been so good to change. To be honest, I think the kind of transformation I needed could only come with this radical trip. I only could change to be more of the woman of Christ I should be by being completely removed from life as I knew it. The way I think and act now is different then before I left for this trip.
I am still the same Lexi Coco in so many ways (don't worry) but at the same time I am a more confident, godly, loving, softer, and a better version of myself. A "Lexi 2.0" if you will. I needed this trip more than I could have ever understood before I left. I was so caught up in what society told me was important. I was so focused on things that matter, but don't matter as much as The Lord. I was scared. I was sassy and I'm sure it hurt people. I was negative. I was not bold. I was so many things... I am sure when I get home I will have times of falling back into my old self and my old character traits but hopefully not for long. I also am still a work in progress with things that need to change and that I'm working on changing. When I return home I desire to keep growing in The Lord and changing or letting The Lord "prune" my branches as needed. I want that so that I can continue to become a person that more closely imitates Jesus's character every single day.
As an encouragement for the people at home: sometimes you can feel The Lord wanting to change you or your convicted that you need to change but something keeps you from doing it... It could be that you feel like you should be spending more time with God, switching friend groups because your current friends drag you down, it could be doing more to further the kingdom, it could be letting go of old things in your life, mending relationships with family or pretty much anything else. BUT back to the point. Whatever it is, seek some wise counsel and do what you need to do to let The Lord change you. I promise it's so worth it. It might be the hardest thing you do but I've never met a person that regrets getting one step closer to The Lord by doing the right thing.
