Hey everyone! I can’t tell you how excited i am to have this new chapter in my life opened. I have had a calling to take a step in the ministry direction for years now, but have been to stuborn and too comfortable in my comfort zone to take that step out. But God prompted this heart and broke it enough to see there is no other place i would rather be then devoting my time and energy to furthering His kingdom. I decided that i no longer want the ways of this world, i want something more, i want what makes me feel alive, and that is living out that passion for serving others with the love and grace that is given to me unconditionally.
I absolutly love being with people, i thrive off of it. I was a barista at starbucks and loved interacting with so many different people as well as being a pre school teacher which i have been for 3 years now and absolutly adore kids. I have loved serving in this way, but now God wants me to step out of this comfort zone that i have created and step into somthing new. So if that means leaving my family here in New England and heading to the far corners of the world or somehwere in the U.S, i’m there! I’m always looking for new adventures and this i feel was placed in me for a reason. I’m ready for whatever adventure God has in store for me this year and all the years to come in His service. My passion is loving people to Christ, meeting needs as best i can and hoping that sharing my life experiences, as beautiful and as dark as some may be will show that no matter who you are you are loved, and you are given that second chance and grace that is beyond understanding.
I have a prayer that i found in a book a little while ago written on the inside of my bible as well as a note card that sits on my dash board in my car that says:
“Lord, i give up all my own plans, and purposes,all my own desires and hopes, and accept thy will for my life.I give myself, my life,my all utterly to thee to be thine forever. Fill me and seal me with Thy Holy Spirit. Use me as Thy wilt, work out Thy whole will in my life at any cost now and forever.” I pray this every day, because every day i have to give it up, and every day i hope to be used and see His will lived out in my life. I’m ready and willing to see where He brings me in this next year, and to take that step of faith.
Alison, I know you don’t know me, but I just wanted to let you know how ENCOURAGING it was to read your bio and the place of complete surrender the Lord has brought you to. And what joy you have found in doing it!!
I was directed to your page because I am interested in the Swaziland trip this January. I am so scared, because I really feel like I want to go and serve the Lord this way, but because of my circumstances I believe it would have to be him and ONLY him to open up the doors AND provide the money.
I just think your story about giving up your comforts of america and your control for the “good life” here really ministered to my soul today.It is strengthening me to take risk and let the passion that is in my soul come alive.
May the peace of the Lord Jesus be with you today and tomorrow and always. I hope one day we meet and maybe even if the Lord leads me to Swaziland!
Kim Duryea