One summer day I visited my Aunt Alexis’s house, and I went straight to the fridge, but before I opened its door my eyes glanced to see my senior year prayer magnet. God has answered many of the prayers, but I would like to share a story of God’s faithfulness this past year.
On Spring Break, I went on a mission trip to England. During an outreach at an English primary school, the Lord convicted my heart. A second grader in the religious studies class posed a question to me, “Why as a Christian do you get baptized?” At the time I was not baptized. I was in a prolonged planning period of waiting for the right time to get baptized. This second grader’s question reminded me how you can have all the head knowledge about Christ but if you do not live out what you preach then what is the point. I had already had great opportunities to speak about my faith in front of my peers at school, church and community but I hadn’t taken the step for “my outer expression of an inward change.” I returned to the US and from the mission field to competing in track and field.
It was the week of the Texas Area Track & Field Regionals. I desired to leap 19 ft in the long jump to fulfill one of my prayer requests, but the Lord had other plans. A week prior to this event, I reached a qualifying distance but was short of 19 ft. The next week, I stood on the runway ready to accomplish my goal. I took off and leapt into the sand. God answered no to this request. However, I was able to pray for track friends in their time of need. I did not meet my goal, but I got to magnify my inward change. These are the moments, experiences, and relationships I live for with God and for God. After the regionals, I went to church.
On Sunday April 14, 2024, my father baptized me and another second grader, my little sister Elle. Thank you for your prayers during my Senior year in high school. If you are looking at my prayer magnet on your fridge, I want you to know He answered all my prayers with many yeses and a no. I am very excited to announce one big YES, and that is God opened the door for me to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point. Please continue to pray for me because on July 1, 2024, I enter my next mission field in the US military.
Sincerely,
Nala Best
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