"the Lord is my shepherd, i have what i need. He lets me lie down in green pastures; He lets me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside quiet waters. He renews my life; He leads me along the right paths for His names sake. even when i go through the darkest valley, i fear no danger". psalms 23: 1-4

this chapter was the first scripture God placed on my heart when i got to gainesville. we had sabbath the morning after we arrived on campus. just a time to rest in the Lord and open up space to see and hear what He wants us to learn and take in. it was a really sweet time! i started with reading my new devotional book that i got specifically for the race, so i hadn't read it before that day. the first page i flipped to was connected to psalm 23. it was truly resonating in my heart and i believe it was what God was pushing my heart to take in and be encouraged by. its been the anthem of my heart since then. 

fast forward a couple days to last night, we had team time last night and my sweet team leader layna gave us cards with the specific verse she had been praying over us for months. God had intentionally placed them on her heart for each of us. 

my verse was psalm 23: 3 - "He renews my life; He leads me along the right paths for His names sake". the verse that God encouraged Layna to specifically pray over me was from the same chapter He'd placed on my heart during my first morning on the race. it truly showed me the intentionality of the Lord.

i've been here for about 5 days now and God has already taught me so much. the posture of my heart has been able to change because of who He is and what He's teaching me. and its only the beginning. He never stops growing & changing & teaching me. and i'm so thankful. because of His intentionality and faithfulness, i'm able to know that "the Lord is my shepherd; i have what i need" in every season, but especially this one. the world race is hard, but its so good and its so sweet. it's home, it's family, it's love. and saturated with truth and grace. getting the opportunity to learn how to invite Him in to my heart and letting Him work the way He needs to is the greatest blessing. walking through this season with psalm 23 written in my heart. He's really good. i'm just thankful. 

love always,

ava :)