Puzzle Pieces and God’s Will

         I never imagined at age 26 I would be able to look back and see how God has placed together each puzzle piece of my life.  It all started when I was “little”.  My grandmother would bake cakes and deliver them to those who were sick, shut-in or just needed some encourage. Off we would go, my brother and I in tow. LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR  I was involved in GAs (Girls In Action) throughout elementary school.  Every Wednesday night we would learn about missionaries and participate in some type of community service project.  I was fascinated by the missionaries who risked their lives to share the love of Christ.  WHATEVER YOU DO UNTO THE LEAST OF THESE, YOU DO UNTO ME  In sixth grade, my parents took me on my first mission trip to Cumberland, Kentucky.  I watched my parents serve others through their gifts – teaching and construction.  I am very blessed to say my parents have always lived a life of service to the Lord before my brother and me. BE AN EXAMPLE TO ALL BELIEVERS  
         God began working in my heart and developing a desire to serve those He loved so dearly.  Every summer in high school, I would participate in World Changers with my church and my dad.  In 10th grade, God confirmed in my heart a calling to missions.  When the speaker asked if anyone felt God was calling them to a life in missions, I jumped out of my seat, heart racing.  He prayed for all of those who stood up.  I was never more nervous or more confident that God was stirring in my heart.  Did this mean I was going full time on the mission field?  I did not know at that time what God was calling me to but I was ready for whatever He asked.  At that point, the puzzle pieces began to be placed with a purpose. FOR I KNOW THE PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU    
         College, my degree choices, summer internships, and mission trips – all pieces of the puzzle that led me to AIM.  In the past 10 years, God has been guiding me to a life of missions, never revealing the next step until His timing. As most of you know, I spent the last year at Adventures In Missions serving as the Admissions Coordinator for the Ambassador program – 2-5 week mission trips for high school students.  God confirmed time and time again his sovereignty through the many high school students I worked with as they prepared for their mission trip. MY THOUGHTS ARE HIGHER THAN YOUR THOUGHTS  
          In August, I was offered a position to be the Manager over the Admissions department for Short Term Missions at AIM.  The Admissions Department oversees the admissions process for all Youth Group, Adult and Family, College Break and Ambassador mission trips through Adventures In Missions.   When I was first given this opportunity, I was overwhelmed as I began to think about what this entailed.  But God began to remind me “Trust me, Amanda.  I have a plan for you.”  Then I was told that the leadership team at AIM had been praying for me and this position for several months prior to my offer.  I was completely blown away.  Me, you have been praying for…me?  This was all the confirmation I needed to remind me God had a plan much bigger than ME. Every puzzle piece God has put in place led me to this position.  God had given me the experience needed, as well as a passion for missions and people, to take on a job opportunity that was, and still is, much bigger than me.  TRUST THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART…AND HE WILL DIRECT YOUR PATHS  In the past few months, I have fallen on my face many times acknowledging that I cannot do this (my job) without Him. The thing I love most about working at AIM is the ability to stop what I am doing and seek the Lord’s guidance for every decision.  Adventures In Missions is HIS ministry.  I am just a laborer.  THE HARVEST IS PLENTIFUL BUT THE LABORERS ARE FEW