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Quietly Brave

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This year, even when we don't get everything done on our to-do list, or when things don't go according to plan, let's commit to celebrating the small victories. We have a tendency to look at everything that went wrong at the end of the day. Why don't we start looking for what went right? God's hand is constantly working in our lives if we'd just stop and look. I think if we spent more time celebrating the victories, no matter how small, the things that went wrong wouldn't be so big in our minds. Small victories are still victories. · Let's thank God for what went right this week. What are you celebrating?

2019 was marked by so many losses. I've lost family members, close friendships, and countless other things. It honestly left me feeling more vulnerable and alone than I've felt in a long time. · But through all of it, I've grown closer to God. I got to a point where I HAD to depend on Him. Looking back, I believe He was taking away the things I found comfort in so that I would find my comfort in Him instead. He taught me to lean on Him more than I ever have before. He taught me to trust Him to be faithful, even if I can't see how. He taught me that in order to love others well, I have to be willing to be vulnerable. Even if it means being hurt down the road. And He showed me that He's faithful to heal my heart when it's broken because of it. · The word that has been ringing in my spirit these past few weeks is "restoration". I'm not sure what that will look like, but I believe 2020 will be a year of restoration in my life. I keep reminding myself that the losses were not for nothing. God doesn't waste any of it. It all has a purpose, even if I can't see it right now. · Whatever you feel like you may have lost, it wasn't for nothing. It will serve a purpose one way or another. You may never know why this side of heaven, but that's okay. We aren't made to know everything. Trust that He knows what He's doing, and keep walking with Him.

Thanks for still hanging out with me even though I'm old now. 😂💕 love you SO MUCH.

Merry Christmas from your friendly neighborhood missionary! 🇧🇷🎄

My Facebook memories today have been ROUGH. · 5 years ago today, I hopped on a plane and moved to the jungle, with bright eyes and no idea what I was getting myself into. I thought I knew what the next few years would look like. I had no clue. · 2 years ago today, I left my home in the jungle. Grief and joy were both living in my heart; grieving over the life I was leaving, but joyful for the life I was walking into. If I'm honest with myself, the grief and longing is still there, it's just quieter than it used to be. I walked away knowing something better was waiting for me, as hard as that is to imagine. · In a few weeks, Lord willing, I'll be hopping back on a plane and walking into the calling God gave me at 16. All because a teenage Caitlin said yes, and just kept saying yes.

I think the local church gets a bad rap. · This week I've seen multiple people who have said they no longer attend church because they don't think it's worth their time. They'd rather just watch online or listen to a podcast. It breaks my heart. In an age where people are giving up on church, I still wildly believe in it. There is a ministry that happens in and through the church that you can't get anywhere else. And even though it's messy sometimes, when a church is truly seeking to better they're community and add to the Kingdom of God, it's breathtaking to watch. I've had my own share of church hurt, but the church also helped me heal. When the church is working the way it's supposed to, it brings life to the community around it. It's a beautiful thing. · I refuse to give up on the local church. I've seen too much good come from it to walk away from it.

Anyone who knows me knows that my happy place is on the mission field. Whether that’s in a remote village drinking chicha, mentoring young women, or talking to teenagers about God. There's no place I'd rather be. Would you consider joining my team this #givingtuesday ? I'm trying to get to Brazil by the new year and need your help to get there. I'm only $625 in monthly support away from being fully funded. If you'd like to give, DM me or click the link in my bio to give online. 🇧🇷

Can we be real for a minute? Some Sundays, you wake up and you just want to roll over and go right back to sleep. · Today was one of those days for me. · But I still went even though I didn't feel like it and I am so glad I did. There's only ever been one time that I regretted going anyway, and honestly it was only because I was dealing with my great grandfather's passing and could not stop crying long enough to be in service. 😅 Every other time that I've gone anyway it's always been just what I needed. Today was no different. I know it can be so easy to stay home but there's something about being in God's house that's different. It's not the same as watching it on Facebook or listening to a podcast. Those things are fine, but I find that I still need time to be around His people. That's where I'm encouraged. It's where I find community. Some of my best memories are in the church. I could tell story after story of ways God has used others to speak into my life in church right when I needed Him. His people aren't perfect, but isn't it amazing how He still chooses to use ordinary people to encourage and built us up? I don't want to miss out on that. And I don't want you to miss out on that. · Next Sunday, if you wake up and you'd rather sleep in, decide to go anyway. Get around God's people. You never know, He may have exactly what you need waiting for you at His house.

The past few months, I've been studying the life of David. After months of dwelling in the Old Testament, I found myself a few weeks ago SO READY for Jesus. Not David. Not Elijah. Not Paul. Jesus. · We always talk about the amazing things David did, but his life was ROUGH. It was not perfect. He wasn't perfect. It hurt to look at how far he strayed from the Lord at times. There were parts of his life that were dark and seemed hopeless. When I got to the end of his life, I was in need of some light. · Isn't it like that with us sometimes? We go through something hard and dark and when we reach the end, we just need a little bit of light. A glimmer of hope. · There's been so much hurt around those that I love. I know so many people who are struggling with life. Countless situations that need hope. But sometimes it's easier to see all of the hurt and none of the hope. · I've had such an anticipation for December because I know Jesus is coming. We get a whole month to celebrate His birth and I am READY. I'm gonna be reading all in the Gospels because I need a little bit of hope. I just so happen to know where to look for it.

I've got so much to be thankful for. But the thing I've thought about a bit today is that I'm thankful for a family that supports my calling. There were no questions of "When are you going to come home and settle down?" "Are you seeing anyone?" "Will you ever get married?" Not a word. It was "When are you leaving?" "How long will you be gone?" "What do you need?" · I don't take lightly how blessed I am to have my family supporting me. I know of other missionaries that don't have that and honestly, I can't imagine living this life without it. Knowing that they have my back no matter where I go makes things a little bit easier.

2009 Caitlin: scene kid. Super pale. Was 17, but looked 12. Couldn't wait to go to Brazil. Like wouldn't shut up about it. Had no idea I'd go to the jungle in 2010 and have my entire life changed. · 2019 Caitlin: still a scene kid at heart. Not pale??? 27, but looks 17(or 15, depends on who you ask). Can't wait to go to Brazil. Thanking God my entire life was changed when I went to the jungle in 2010.

You guys!! We're getting so close! 🎉🎉 · I'm currently waiting for some paperwork for my visa to get back, and then I'll have meeting with the consulate to get approved for my visa and head out! · I'm also SO CLOSE to being fully funded! Just 13 people at $50 would put me over the top. If you want to join my team and partner with me monthly, click the link in my bio or DM me and I'd love to tell you how. · I'm so grateful for all of the incredible people who have already joined my team. Your partnership makes my ministry possible. Let's finish strong and get to Brazil! 🇧🇷

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