So many times in my life thus far I have asked myself what life would look like if it all worked out the way I wanted. Then I think of the times I would have chosen to do something absolutely crazy and think again. But there is a place that the Lord continuously returns me to. I place where I find myself questioning why, and how. I have been a dramatic, over the top dreamer for as long as I can remember. Living in imaginary worlds and believing myself to be untouchable in them. I remember thinking when I was a little girl what it would be like to live in a fairy tale or a place where all of my dreams could feel real. I have just graduated from college and I sit here again and think, what next? For years I have questioned what my life would look like after school and I have gone back and forth at least 10,000 times on what the perfect plan would be. Too bad now all of those perfect plans are not so perfect and I’m finding myself right back to where I was five years ago. Only now, I don’t have any plans to go off to school and stay there for four years ( or in my case five), then figure out life. Now Im really doing it. The whole okay what comes next thing, this is not in the manual of, grow up, graduate high school, go to college and get a job. What happens when my manual looks different, when my passions start taking over and life feels like it may get a little crazy before it all makes sense.
For so long I have taught myself that it all has to make sense and line up. I have grown to be a pretty independent young woman with a desire for life to not just look real but feel alive. I can not deny that I know I received the degree I did for a reason. I know that I have a heart for children and for education, but Im finding it may look different. If I look back over this past five years I can see how the Lord has shaped and destined everything that has happened to make me who I am in Him today. Without CSU I never would have understood what it looked like to live in a strong Christian community, surrounded by a body of believers who were and are passionate for Jesus. I would have never been inspired to chase after my dreams that seemed impossible. I never would have gone to Africa or met the people that have influenced me incredibly. I never understood fully what it was to love and be loved, something I will learn more and more everyday. Not to mention the beautiful home the Lord has blessed me with and the sisters I have had the opportunity to live, grow and just do life with. I have seen some of the most incredible women find their man and step into the next phase of life in marriage and have been blessed through their trials and joys while they figure it out. I have found joy and courage in the struggles of being a home owner and all that entails. I know these past five years and the Lord leading me to Charleston were not coincidences.
Now as I come to this next season of life I am faced with decisions. I have spent years knowing and believing what the Lord has spoken into my life and for my life, praying and waiting. The more I pray the more I realize its now time for me to pursue those passions with my whole heart. My passion for music, for children, for young women, for my generation, for ministry. The passions that drive my heart and make me who I am. I have no clue what it looks like or how it will all come together but I do believe the first step is to go. To live a season of my life away, maybe on the other side of the world but I know if I don’t go now I never will. This is the only peace I have. It doesn’t make sense, or really complete the manual steps of life listed above but its real to me. I have hopes and dreams of one day the possibilities of what my duty may be right here where I am but right now while I have nothing holding me back, nothing settled in stone, I feel like I should go. I am trying to stop anticipating life and letting today be today and tomorrow worry for itself. I am discovering who God is as my leader, my comforter, and my strength. To be still and just listen, to rest in His presence so that I may pour it out.
This is where a new season of life is opening its doors to a place I never imagined. A place that is foreign to me, an outsider, without knowledge of the language, people or places. Yet a place where the Lord is moving, where He is working and drawing my heart in to affections for a people I have yet to meet. This next adventure may take place in China. I am in the process of working out all of the details to finalize my position as a possible ESL teacher in a middle or high school Chinese classroom! This of coarse being a way into a place to love and share the gospel with a people group I would not have an opportunity to otherwise. I have been seeking an answer as to what comes next for a couple months now, not really settled with anything, until a whole new world of possibilities came to be. Through nights of crying out and days of resting in His faithfulness I had become weary in not knowing what was next. I went home to my parents house in Ohio for two weeks and pleaded with God for something to become clear by the time I returned to Charleston. Begging to simply be apart of His plan whatever that may be, wherever that may be. While there I was restored, encouraged, loved and reaffirmed that although He was not giving me a clear direction or opening He did have a plan. However as the end of my trip neared I felt as if I had been on a rollercoaster ride through the ups and downs of what ifs and possibilities that only seemed to fall through. Until one day through a random but God given contact through someone my mom knows from work I found Zong Relations. A Christian organization which seeks to give others a chance to fulfill the great commission by placing followers of Christ into schools in the Haungshi/Wuhan area where you not only teach but learn to become apart of the community and build relationships in hopes to share your heart. I was contacted first about this the day before I was leaving Ohio. I had some reservations about timing because of prior engagements I have this summer so I was not too enthusiastic yet. I received an email back three hours before I was leaving home confirming everything I had prayed for. I knew this was my open door. The Lord answered my prayers in such a radical last minute; I am God kind of way! My faith was stretched but for that I am grateful for He is faithful.
Now the journey begins! I am back in Charleston for the next couple months settling things and trying to organize everything that needs to be taken care of. I am in the process of sending out my information and waiting to hear back from the school there. As long as I get the job I will receive my work visa and be on my way. Once I find out about the teaching position and start the process of getting my visa, the next step is raising support. I need people who are willing to partner with me in whatever way you may be able. Whether it’s a donation to help or your prayers through this adventure and calling. Once I find out whether or not I have the job at the school I will post to let everyone know for sure what the next step is. If you’re interested in receiving more info about how to support me in this please email me at chelsieleighpriest@gmail.com. If all goes as planned I will be leaving for Ohio sometime in the beginning of August and will leave from there for training in Michigan on the 17th -18th and will be flying out with the rest of the team on the 19th.
Right now I am asking if you would pray with me. This will not be completely official until I hear back from the school in China and am desperate to follow Jesus. I only want what He has no matter what that means, to bring the story of grace, love, hope, peace, and joy. To share love’s reward, Jesus Christ, no matter where I am or what I’m doing. It is easy to get lost in the middle of everyday life and forget that we have been given something worth sharing with our words and our actions!
I will be keeping you posted on China! Thank you all for your prayers!
“Oh sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth!
Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
tell of his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples!
For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
he is to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,
but the Lord made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.” Psalm 96:1-6
