19 Days Left in Kansas

That's right folks. 19 days.

I can clearly remember my thoughts and emotions on my 19th day in Kansas; it was something along the lines of, "I really hope I make some friends soon, because I'm tired of watching Netflix."
And now, my thoughts most nights are closer to, "I haven't had time to catch up on my Netflix shows because I'm so busy hanging out with my friends."

I guess life could be worse.

On a more serious note, I am quickly realizing how difficult it will be to leave so many people that I have grown so fond of. When I arrived in Topeka, I prayed that I would grow to love the city and people I would meet so much that it would be difficult to leave. I expected this to take place over a year, but God had other plans and gave me an incredible base of community and fellowship in only 5 months. Praise the Lord.

I had the pleasure of attending a youth retreat with Fellowship Bible Church in Topeka this past weekend, and I am having trouble remembering the last time I had so much fun in one weekend. Everything from (accidentally) running full speed into a river, to watching Kansas stereotypes perpetuate themselves with folk worship on Sunday made this weekend a huge blessing.
The students at FBC, as a whole, impressed me very much. The amount of students in the youth group who are genuinely seeking God, and actively praying for him to move in them and through them is incredible and inspiring. I wish that I had been as serious about my faith at ages 15-18 as these students are. I had the chance to watch some of them worship and pray together like Jesus was real to them, like they were desperately seeking him, like they could not go another day without him speaking to them.
Their honest passion for the Gospel to change them inspired me, and gave me hope for my generation. Shoutout to Nick Strobel, the youth pastor of FBC, for letting God do incredible things through you. The students in your ministry are on fire!! I can't wait to see the places their genuine faith will take them, in Jesus name!

As I prepare to move back to Florida in 19 days, I would ask you to pray for me during this time of transition in a few simple ways:
1. As I shift from working in ministry full-time to working a regular job, please pray that Christ would still be my focus and my goal. I want to bring glory to his name with the work I do, no matter where I am.
2. Pray for my heart, that the changes that have taken place in me during my stay in Topeka will take root and change me to love people more for Christ's name.
3. Pray for my living/job situation in Tallahassee, that things would continue to develop and work out upon my return.

Thanks for reading, if you'd like to take a gander at the spiritual walk I have been on for the past five months, take some time and read previous blog posts and pray for me!

John3:30

-Daniel

P.S. The weather in Topeka is getting colder, this morning it was 18 degrees on my way to work. EIGHTEEN.

P.P.S. I love Topeka.