Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear. -Mark Twain
Just forty-eight hours ago, I was on a plane ride back to Milwaukee after a short two week stay at my parents' home in Agoura Hills, California. The semester had ended, thus giving me a little bit of time to visit and reconnect with my family before my time at the Wisconsin Dells. Taking pictures for my brother's prom and high school graduation evoked feelings of nostalgia of my own experiences during high school. I was fortunate enough to see some of my closest friends and in the sense, rekindle the friendships through the conversations that we shared. Leaving on such short notice was difficult, especially the moment of saying goodbye to my sister at the airport. I had a short layover at the Atlanta Airport and I passed by a gate terminal for Los Angeles. For a brief moment, I had stared at the sign and asked myself, "Am I ready to go back to Wisconsin?" I didn't look back at the sign and continued walking towards the terminal gate for Milwaukee.
Never bend your head. Always hold it high. Look the world straight in the eye. -Helen Keller
I look back to the start of my first semester of college until now and to this very moment, I am still in awe of what has happened and what I have learned. This period of identity, growth, and loving others marks a pivotal point of my life and something I am so thankful to have experienced. I always set myself a daily reminder to work on this article but I have to admit that I struggled on what to convey to our readers through this blog. I strive to showcase my authenticity throughout these articles as I pour down my thoughts. I definitely had a case of the infamous so-called "Writer's Block", pondering what exactly to talk about after so much has happened to me this past semester. Not only have I accepted Him as my Lord and Savior on February 13th but I was also baptized alongside my friend, Kathryn. This journey of my faith continues to have me opening new doors full of exciting opportunities.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." -Jeremiah 29:11
It was back in October of last year when I first heard of the Summer Training Program aka. STP at the Wisconsin Dells. I knew that a couple of my friends from the Navigators were going to take part in it but every time, an announcement came up during Nav Night, it kind of just flew over my head and I never really took into consideration of it. It was probably about a month before my baptism when I thought of my upcoming summer plans. Back home in California, I had a job secured for the summer, one where I can continue utilizing my experience in patient care and securing potential rewarding opportunities to job shadow surgeons. But I knew in my heart that I would just overwork myself and my capabilities by working forty hours a week. It would fall back into the same routine of my summer, limiting myself to little to no growth of the self in me. Yes, it may look good on applications for medical school in the near future but I didn't have this calling to do this for the summer. I struggled with this because for one, I wouldn't be home for the majority of the summer and two, I had been trying to handle my finances for the upcoming year with apartment leases and tuition as an out-of-state student. These two choices continued to pull at me throughout the weeks leading up to my baptism. So, I turned to the one thing I can do in hopes of getting an answer: praying.
I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people -Vincent van Gogh
And it turns out that I had this calling to be in Wisconsin this summer, serving the Lord and continue to grow in my faith and in fellowship with other members of the Navigators. When it came to decision making, I always believed in this idea of "possible outcomes". I had this notion in mind that if something wasn't going to work out, I had another way of performing the action. But with the thought of taking part in STP, the idea of discipleship-making remained fervent in my mind. I realized that no matter what, I had to be there. I have this opportunity to interact with international students and share the Gospel. Through this program, I am able to serve the Lord and pour into their hearts - it warms my heart that I am given the opportunity to embark on this journey for eight weeks.
Life is a progress, and not a station. -Ralph Waldo Emerson
While the process of fundraising has been stressful, I continue to be amazed by His works. I am currently a little more than half way of my fundraising goal of 2600 dollars! I have been praying for my fundraising along with having the strength and courage to share the Gospel to international students this summer at the Wisconsin Dells. I realized how inefficient I had been in my blogging but I have decided that throughout this summer, I want to continue posting weekly articles of my journey of serving the Lord. Hope all of you enjoy and please feel free to reach out to me at anytime.
With so much love,
Yui Sofia Sato
I would be deeply grateful for any consideration or support, and please feel free to reach out to me at anytime! I would love to share with you the ways God has been working in my life.
Donations:
Nav Staff Donations (type Yui Sato in the search engine)
Direct Link to Donations (a direct link to my page for donations)
Number: 818.292.9360 ♡ VSCO: yuissato ♡ Email: yuisofiasato@gmail.com
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