I have recently begun a gap year program called Link Year. LY is all about being a foundational year for 18-20 year olds and teaching them about how to be be impactful leaders for Christ. The last two weeks in this program have been some of the most amazing, laughter-filled, peaceful yet stress filled weeks of my life. I don't think I could more ecstatic to see what the Lord has in store for me and my classmates during these next 9 months or so.

The first couple weeks of LY have filled with going over rules, academics and other random stuff. This week we went over academics, which entailed going over the things we have to turn in on a weekly basis, all the papers we have to write, and basically everywhere we are required to show up during the week. I am wired to be a worrier, so after hearing all I have to do every week on top of taking 2 college classes and having a job I started to freak out and start stressing. One thing I have learned through this past year is that when I get like this I need to just take a moment to calm myself down and JUST PRAY. Pray openly to God and just ask for His peace to take over my mind and to free my mind of all the stress and worry going through my brain right that minute. The Lord has been so faithful in this. Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” It is so comforting to me to know that I get to walk in the freedom of being covered in the peace of the Lord.

One of the weekly things we get to attend is this college ministry called The Fort. This past Wednesday night we got to hear about Romans 3:21-31 and Romans 5:1-5 and how our righteousness is only earned through our faith in Jesus Christ. At the end of the speakers sermon he said something that goes along with what I am talking about. He said, "When you face the different trials of this life, is your boat going to capsize or is it going to hold strong and and be steadfast and be anchored to the word of the Lord?" This really struck me to my core. Throughout this past year, because of different things I have gone through, I have found myself at times seeking worldly things and putting my hope in the world and not the Lord in my times of need. We are called to be in this world, not of it (1 John 2:15-17 and Romans 12:1-2). Thankfully that is something LY loves helpings students walk through. I am so excited to learn more about putting my trust and my hope fully in the Lord this year, and becoming rooted in the Lord and His word.