Vision For RevivEE – A Grand Adventure with God!

7 Intentions for My Year on RevivEE

Before coming on RevivEE, I had so many dreams and expectations of what this year would hold — things I wanted to do, see, become, and ways I hoped God would work through me and in the lives of those around me. Now that I’ve been in Romania for a month, I’ve revisited the list of goals I wrote back in early August. Some of those goals have already begun to take shape, while others feel far off – maybe even unrealistic.

Now that I’ve settled a bit, I’ve refined my goals and would love to share them with you. This list is honest and personal (and very long), but I couldn’t imagine going through the year without these things in mind. RevivEE is such a unique experience — an incredible opportunity to grow quickly, love deeply, and strengthen my relationship with God. I don’t want to let it pass by without learning, retaining, and working through every lesson He has for me.

While on RevivEE, I will (in no particular order)…

1. Grow Spiritually (2 Peter 3:18)

If every other goal were to fail, this one would matter most. RevivEE is, above all, a spiritual journey. It would be a loss to leave Romania without having grown in my walk with God — and that’s the main reason I came.

  • I will allow my heart to be discipled and shaped toward sanctification and holiness.
  • I will observe and imitate Ioana and Misha as they lead the women on RevivEE.
  • I will seek mentorship (especially from Barb), continually asking, seeking, and knocking.
  • I will grow more confident in evangelism, leading women to God, and helping my sisters stay faithful — knowing that I can plant and water, but only God makes things grow.
  • I will serve the church wherever needed.
  • I will root my identity in Christ, not in what I do or what I like. This means deep daily times with God, a stronger prayer life, and humility when corrected.
  • I will memorize 1–2 scriptures each week.

2. Grow Relationally (Ecclesiastes 4:9–12)

I’ve always been an extrovert who loves connecting with people — but the older I get, the more I value my independence, sometimes at the expense of the group and selflessness. This past month has revealed that I’m not always the best team player, and that’s something I want to change.

  • I will stay in touch with Nika and Liza (bi-monthly check-ins).
  • I will give my heart, time, and attention to those around me — roommates, teammates, and church members — even when it’s inconvenient.
  • I will intentionally maintain my relationships back home, prioritizing two friends per week.
  • I will strive to be a good friend who reflects God’s love.
  • I will trust God with my love life — focusing on my spiritual health rather than fabricating relationships as I have in the past.

3. Grow Personally (1 Timothy 4:17-18)

Personal growth has always been a passion of mine — I love reading about career development, finance, and elegance. Though RevivEE is a spiritual journey, I believe practical personal growth will only make this experience richer.

  • I will stay disciplined with my schedule — protecting my mornings and evenings and using Mondays (my day off) for time with God and exploring Romania.
  • I will present myself with excellence — in appearance, posture, speech, and conduct.
  • I will strive to stay positive, resist judgment, and pray when irritated — choosing peace and trust (Philippians 4:4–9).
  • I will read constantly (on public transport) and apply what I learn.

4. Process (Proverbs 20:5)

I’m naturally a doer, not a processor, but I’ve realized how that has sometimes held me back. Over the next ten months, I want to truly reflect on my experiences, dig deep into my heart, and work through both mental and spiritual barriers.

  • I will spend part of my mornings journaling, processing, and going deep with myself and with God.
  • I will lean into difficult conversations and situations, choosing to process and grow rather than just move on.

5. Experience the Culture

How can I live in Romania for ten months and not experience its culture to the best of my abilities? While living like a local makes it easy to skip the “tourist” attractions, I still want to be intentional about learning and experiencing this beautiful country.

  • I will learn to cook two traditional Romanian meals (and share them on the blog!).
  • I will read one Romanian book.
  • I will practice Romanian each morning.
  • I will find one weekly activity outside of RevivEE to connect with locals and make friends.
  • I will explore Bucharest and the Romanian countryside, visiting as many cultural sites as possible.

6. Be Active and Healthy (1 Corinthians 6:19–20)

Before moving to Romania, I was working out five days a week at my local CrossFit gym and cooking mostly from scratch. I felt strong, energized, and content — a rhythm that grounded me during some pretty challenging times. I want to maintain that balance here.

  • I will cook healthy meals (meal prep), bring lunch with me, and save money by eating out less.
  • I will find a local gym and work out 3–4 mornings a week.

7. Blog

The Citizen Diplomat was born out of a conversation with a former SDSU professor who encouraged me to keep a diary and one day write a book about my experiences. While this blog isn’t quite a diary, it allows me to process what God is doing through RevivEE and stay connected with my sponsors. It’s actually been a joy to create and maintain!

  • I will post one blog weekly and send out a newsletter at the end of every month.

There are many other things I hope to do, but these are my top priorities. This list may seem overwhelming, but much of it already fits naturally into my rhythm of life. And I couldn’t possibly remove anything, as each item feels essential to this season.

If there’s anything I’ve learned this year, it’s to lay all my desires before God and trust Him to shape them. On January 1, 2025, I wrote my New Year’s resolutions — things like applying to the Foreign Service and getting married. Instead, I’m single, unemployed, and living in Romania (what!), yet somehow more fulfilled than ever. God has met my needs, deepened my faith, and blessed me in ways I never imagined.

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” — Proverbs 16:9

So I’m placing all of these goals before the Father, trusting Him to lead me with wisdom and humility. It’s a lot, yes — but if there’s one thing I truly hope to gain from RevivEE, it’s a deeper, steadier walk with Him.

Thank you for walking alongside me in this journey — through your prayers, support, and encouragement. My hope is that as I grow here in Romania, these lessons and experiences might inspire you in your own walk with God, wherever you are. Here’s to a year of faith, growth, and surrender to His perfect good, pleasing, and perfect will.

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