My Small Group!

I realize I'm posting a lot lately, but enjoy it while it lasts because I have no idea how often I will be able to post once I actually leave!

God has been hardcore revealing stuff to me this week and I'm just so excited to share about it with all of you. I have been praying that He would prepare my heart in whatever ways He can for this adventure. The past couple of days I have just felt His presence so tangibly. He has been showing me that what this trip really means is to fully surrender everything that matters to me, and to fully let go, and leave. He is not calling me to Santa Cruz right now, and although I am surrounded by an incredible church community, a wonderful small group, and seriously some of the best friends and family ever- He is saying, "Kayla, trust me, follow me in the way that I lead you, and surrender fully all of these people that matter to you, and give your whole self to this new season of life." You guys, this totally blows my mind, it scares me and excites me completely. God is practically screaming at me(in a totally clear full of love way) I have something incredible for you and all you need to do is be there. So as I'm fully making the most of my last few weeks here, and hardcore loving and being loved, I know that an amazing journey awaits me and I am fully expectant to see God more than I ever have in my life.

Tonight I was hit hard with something I have to surrender. However, despite how challenging it is to know that I am leaving this behind, I am completely blown away and blessed at the gift that I found in these people in the last six months or so. These are just a few of the regular faces that I am honored to lead in a small group! I love you all and I'm going to miss you so much, but I know just as God will be working in my life, He will be working in yours as well!

Best Friend, Roommate, Co-leader. Bianca Franklin.
It has been such an honor to co-lead with you, learn from you, and do life right beside you.
You are an amazing friend, an amazing person, and your fire for the Lord is inspiring!
I'm gonna miss all the little things about you that warm my heart.
....and to think I've only known her almost a year...

This kid... she's silly, she's random, and she almost always has a confession. Meet Ashley.
Your desire to seek the Lord in everything that you do blows me away.
I am so proud of who you are, and although you weren't able to stay at Biola, my heart is seriously so glad you didn't.
It is so clear now with your boy, and your job that God was leading you to the best place possible.
Keep on trusting, because I know He has so much in store for you.
Thanks for never failing to make me laugh at really dumb things. Love you so much!

If she's around someone will be laughing, because she is hilarious. This is Alivia! We were lucky enough to have this one for a little while, but now she's on to bigger and better things. So proud of you for taking on the college group connections team. Minus the team since you pretty much run the show yourself. You are funny, weird and random, and yes those are all compliments. Keep seeking. And I will be SO STOKED for you if you get to do YWAM in october. You are amazing, and I am honored to been able to see God grab a hold of your life and start transforming you into the woman He has always desired you to be!

This is Kala. We have the same name, she just spells hers wrong.
I am so glad that you joined are small group this year. I haven't known you very long but I just love your heart for God.  It has been so fun getting to know you, and I'm totally going to miss seeing you every week. You are beautiful and I wouldn't be surprised if you were like leading your own group by the time I come back. 

This is Loreal.
And seriously, I could say so many wonderful things about her. I have never in my life met someone who is so incredibly thoughtful. If you ever feel a lack of love in your life, become friends with this girl. She is so encouraging, so creatively loving, and she will seriously just melt your heart. You have a heart for the Lord that sometimes leaves me absolutely speechless, and you have a love for people that is a straight up gift. I am so touched by who you are and I cannot wait to see how God uses you. 

Krista Krista Krista...
This girl is a pretty interesting one. She is a nanny...which is totally freaking awesome. She takes amazing pictures. And she really puts her heart into things. I love that you joined our group, and I have just loved getting to know you. You are such a talented person, and I am so proud of you for chasing your dreams and doing what you love. 

On the left, we have Kierstin. On the right, we have someone I don't know.
Anyways, this girls is freaking rad! I have seen her grow so much in the past... like 5 months?
You are an amazing young woman, you're really freaking smart, I don't know how you handle the school schedule that you have, but I'm just so proud of you. And I'm so happy that in between being like the smartest person on the planet, and taking a million units with insane teachers, you always make time for small group. Oh yeah, and you're like really funny. Love having you in my life!

And last but not least, Olivia. This girl is wise, and a lot of times she just says stuff that really challenges me to think. I love that you will stick up for what you believe, and that you aren't afraid to ask the hard questions, or to challenge others to do the same. You are such a balancing act to our group, and I just love what you bring to it!

So there they are, my small group. Just one more thing Jesus is requesting that I leave behind. But as much as I will miss each of them, I know that I am leaving them not only in each others hands(which are super solid and full of love) but also in the hands of God, and there is no greater place to be.

Thank you all for being my community, my support, my love and some of the coolest friends I've ever had. It goes without saying, I'm gonna freaking miss you all so much!