Endurance: Lasting QUALITY.

So, my daddy joined me in Garden Valley, TX last week to participate in a Life Transforming Event called the P.E.A.R.L.

[Physical, Emotional, And, Relational Learning]. 

It was definitely the hardest thing I have ever done in my life!

But SOOOO worth it. Oh man, 466 is my hero!

There's a lot that I could write about the experiences I had with my dad during the P.E.A.R.L., BUT for starters these videos say most of it for me. Thank you Mr. Stoner for capturing these!

 

...and get ready to watch me bawl my eyes out. Haha. This video was taken about 5 minutes before the event ENDED!

YES, I FINISHED! :D

What does it mean to endure?

Endurance: the ability or strength to continue or last. ...Lasting QUALITY.

Even before the P.E.A.R.L. the Lord was teaching me what this word really means.  My whole life I've been a "sprinter." Yes, physically in track I used to just run the 50 yard dash, but also spiritually. Whether it be on a missions trip, summer camp, or season of fire for God, it was always in spurts of energy. If you know me you know that I'm either ALL in or not in at all. I give myself completely to the goal or vision at hand. This is one of my greatest strengths, but also one of my greatest weaknessess. Along the way I've also had seasons of extreem laziness and apathy. It's been this UP and DOWN roller coaster, that although at times is SO fun, does NOT at all represent maturity or as the endurance definition puts it:

Lasting QUALITY.

Endurance is like running long-distances. It takes dicipline. It takes pacing. It takes the will to keep on going when you think you can't go any further. It takes maturity to see past what you can see on your own. It involves pain. It involves trouble breathing at times. It involves SWEAT (getting rid of IMPURITIES). It is worth it. We actually NEED it to be complete. WE NEED HIS JOY!

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an OPPORTUNITY for great JOY. For you know that when your faith is tested, your ENDURANCE has a chance to grow. SO LET IT GROW! For when your ENDURANCE is fully developed, you will be complete, not lacking anything.

James 1:2-4

This year at the Honor Academy God wants to teach me what endurance looks like in my relationship with Him and my relationships with others. It's a perfect environment to grow because of the leadership structure and accountability that is the foundation of everything. Already my Momma Core Advisor has blessed me SO much! Thank you Courtney Broyles for leading with your life and being willing to sacrifice everything for the Lord. Also, I love my sisters. Every single one of them has already taught me more about what it means to love. :)

But anyway, wrapping up all the thoughts on endurance...

Endurance is continually being filled by ABIDING in our King. It's not anything that we can do on our own!

Endurance is having the countenance of the Lord and praise always on our lips, not based on feelings. A response to WHO HE IS!

Endurance is surrendering because He is WORTHY, not because we'll get anything out of it. Again and again and again and again.

Endurance is NOT giving up when things are mundane or boring. Faithful in the small... faithful in the large...

Endurance is focusing on a goal that is greater than ourselves. Advancing the KINGDOM of God!

Endurance is sacrifice. I beat my body and make it my slave!

Endurance is not a single choice, but a bunch of choices every single day. It turns into a habit of choosing joy in the trials.

I want to live my life with maturity and endurance so that at the end there is no regrets and I have nothing left.

Endurance. It's a lifestyle.

I've been pretty sick this past week, but even through it God has been teaching me what it means to rest in Him. I'm definitely still learning that lesson! I got to spend the weekend with my Aunt and Uncle's house with my little cousins. It has been such a blessing to be here!  I LOVE IT! I want to be more like Landry Pearl in my faith. There is such purity in her sweet joy!

"My Presence will go with you, and I will give you REST." Exodus 33:14

Well, I should probably get some of that REST I keep talking about. Anyway, I just want to THANK YOU all for your continual prayer and support! It truly means the world to me that I have a family of encouragement back home if I ever need anything. I finally sent out THANK YOUs for those of you who have given financially so far. I appologize for how long it took me to get those out! You bless me more than you'll ever know. I love you all!

I LOVE YOUR MAIL! Thank you Mommy, Daddy, Nicole, Levi, Allie, Nana, Kasey, and everyone else who has blessed my litttle P.O. Box. the past few weeks. PO Box 2010 #622 Garden Valley, TX 75771 :)

Be JOYFUL in hope. Patient in affliction. Faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12

It's all for Him!

-Kayla Marie.