Dear Gainesville Georgia,

Below is a blog written in the form of a letter to Gainesville GA, sharing what I learned in it the past 3 months.

 Dear Gainesville Georgia, 

You have been a sweet season. As I reflect back on our time spent together, I’m left with a smile and a heart full of gratefulness. With you came change, adventure, worship, challenges, freedom, love, joy, celebration, fullness, and growth. Each month I learned something new about myself, God, and His people. 

SEPTEMBER: I experienced sooooo many new things! I was welcomed with the most joyful hello, into the arms of a new family/church, not expecting to come to love them as much as I do (Gap C). I learned what it means to “be still” and abide in the Father. I fell deeply in love with Jesus and His heart. I came to own the love of Jesus, not just know about it. He poured His heart out to me, as I did mine to Him. I learned that I’m His beloved, and that I was created for His love…and nothing I do or don’t do will change that. I learned how to surrender all control over to the Lord and how to create healthy Christ-like boundaries in every area of my life. I began to trust God with everything, being confident that His hands are a safe place to leave my life. I conquered hard things, walked through tough situations, and experienced the Lord’s goodness every step of the way. I watched God do legit miracles in our squad, and I learned that God’s heart is ALWAYS for the good of His people. 

OCTOBER: I walked into this month with so much new freedom. The trees slowly began to change colors, constantly reminding me of the Lord’s steadfastness. Gap C went to Louisiana, served with Samaritans Purse, and walked through “hard” in a new physical kind of way, allowing me to learn what it literally means for the Lord to be my strength. I experienced deeper friendships and sweet community with Gap C. I peed my pants for the first time laughing so hard (@Lydia). My team led squad church for the first time. Gap C went downtown and evangelized every Friday. I learned how to wait in the Lord, which was perfect timing for what the next month was going to bring. Leaves began to fall, the air began to cool, and as soon as I knew it November was here. 

NOVEMBER: I realized on November 1st that my soul longs for the Lord and His stillness. I had to let go of things in order to abide deeper in the Father which wasn’t easy, at all! I had to walk through heartbreak in order to pick up and carry my cross wholeheartedly. BUT the Lord met me in that, and once again walked by my side, providing so much peace, comfort, and joy. I learned that walking in obedience to the Father isn’t always easy, but I learned good things always come from it. I shared my testimony with my team and was overwhelmed with so much love from them. I received new spiritual gifts and watched my squad do so as well. I learned what it means to be holy and to inherit that God-given holiness. I went through a season where I deeply missed Texas and had to walk through being “homesick” with God. I learned what my top 5 values are and created my mission statement. I dreamed big dreams and was deeply inspired by my community. I was blessed with the opportunity to be a worship coordinator for my squad. Gap C faced BIG changes, which were hard to understand and challenging to walk through…. But I was able to apply EVERYTHING that the Lord was teaching and growing me in the past few months; leaving my heart in a place of surrender to Him and His will above any and all things. I learned that God is a God that goes from glory to glory. 

Gainesville, Georgia, you were better than I ever could have imagined. I’m so grateful for you and all the good things that you have brought. Forever you will be a season full of memories I’ll greatly cherish. Thanks for everything!

Much Love, 

Kourtney V

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