[blockquote]  I’m expecting Him to affect my life in an unforgettable way [/blockquote]

Since I’ve started Advance I have seen God working in my life big time. I have gotten over so many things that have been holding me back and I’ve been able to move forward and see the greatness that God has for me. Through these 9 months I’m expecting God to mold me into the person He wants me to be; I’m expecting Him to affect my life in an unforgettable way. These next few months are going to completely break me down but I’m looking forward to it.

[blockquote] My entire goal for this year is to create a foundation to base all of my life’s major decisions… [/blockquote]

My entire goal for this year is to create a foundation to base all of my life’s major decisions, also so that I know and understand the will of God for my life combined with biblical principle. As I start my adult life I want God leading me, so I’m taking this year to not only learn principle and doctrine but to spend extended time weekly in His presence. So far, God has opened my eyes to His truth and has changed my view on people and those unsaved. I have a completely different mindset and I am thankful for how God is working in my life. Advance is also a great time to build strong, godly relationships with young people like you.

[blockquote] …and presence of God Himself is going to absolutely blow my expectations out of the water, and I can’t wait! [/blockquote]

Through ADVANCE PBC, I hope to come away with not only a greater foundation, but specifically a greater understanding of how I have been called, equipped and designed as a Christian in general, but more so as the person that He has individually created me to be.  The ADVANCE PBC Wilderness trip helped to initiate some of this change as I was able to spend the trip surrounded by a group of people that greatly supported and encouraged me when I not only felt like I came to the end of my physical capacity, but even more so when some of the insecurities, trust issues and fears that have lingered throughout my life began to surface.  I am convinced that the combination of supportive people that are going through the same teaching and changes as I am, along with leaders that genuinely care about me and my destiny and of course the love, grace, guidance, and presence of God Himself is going to absolutely blow my expectations out of the water, and I can’t wait!

[blockquote] Wilderness pushed me to the breaking point. [/blockquote]

Wilderness pushed me to the breaking point. I quickly came to the end of my rope and was forced to give all my weaknesses up to God. Then his exponential strength was brought to glory because He expanded my capacity more than I ever thought possible. He gave me the strength, energy, and compassion when I thought I had none. I learned what it meant to walk in the grace of God and to run on His power and not my own. I was stretched far past what I thought I could handle. And now I know He will always pick up where I leave off.

Advance is going well for me. I have really been convicted to live out my faith and believe the bible. I need to not be a professional hearer and become an actual doer. I am going to believe God and not live in fear or doubt because He is my protector and provider. God is bigger than my circumstances and by worrying I do not trust Him. I have really been stretched in my identity and believing that God actually is what He says. My eyes have been opened. We need to be good stewards with what God has given us. God has given us everything we have and it is really not ours, it is God’s. God really did give us talents, abilities, and gifts that we like or are good at because He is a good God. I have learned to hear God more than I was hearing Him before. I just need to be obedient now and I will learn His voice. Also I am learning to feel His presence which is different for anyone and I believe by the end of this year I am going to be confident in knowing when God is speaking to me. I will know God’s voice and feel His presence. I am a winner and the battle is already won. I believe I am going to pull pride out of my life. At the end of the year I will be humble, but still confident and bold. During wilderness I found that I am stronger than I think, but that I need to rely on God and not my own strength. There is no need to fear any situation because God is on our side; He is never going to leave us or forsake us. I need to open up and trust people and not be prideful thinking I can do it all on my own. God gave us a huge team to work with, the church, and He gave us each our own talents and abilities so we would have the resources we need to work together and get things done and accomplished. I have decided I am going to live with excellence. I am going to do all things through Christ to the best of my ability and with a good attitude. I am going to develop a servant’s heart and see others the way Christ does.

[blockquote] By the end of this year I am going to be a different person and I am definitely going to look a lot more like Jesus than I do now.[/blockquote]