My sleek hair had turned into a ginger frizz ball and I was sweating like a mad woman as I took part in the little known Olympic sport housed inside the Hillsong Conference team cloakroom.

In this hot box of belongings, I took on a triathlon of walking, squatting and number locating, and by the end of the night my entire body was complaining.  But you know something, I don’t think I stopped smiling.

I had the privilege of working on team to check in hundreds of bags belonging to incredible servant hearted people working their butts off to welcome home thousands of Christians from around the world.

It gives me joy to know that I was playing my part so they could do theirs.

I am in awe of what we get to do. I realised tonight as I sat to process that God just keeps pouring out the blessings, the more I receive the more I feel his heart of grace. Because this girl loves a blessing but she never did anything to deserve them!

Tonight was pretty special too. I got given a bible verse on the way out of conference. It was the same verse God gave me when I had convinced myself I was going to Nigeria and not coming home.

I’d been told that I’d be kidnapped or killed.

It was in a tent in a field where a girl who had never heard from God was given a verse to share with me. A verse that spoke to my heart completely and gave me courage and confirmation that God was not sending me to die. He was sending me to love and live.

That same verse was handed to me tonight as I walked out of the nose bleed section of the auditorium.

‘For I know the plans I have for you declares the lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ Jeremiah 29:11

I’ve just noticed it’s the same verse I’m wearing on my pyjama top.

You know the devil loves to plant seeds of doubt and fear into our lives. He’s not into encouragement he’s into disparagement, he talks down, belittles and lies to make you doubt your calling.

It’s in those moments when he’s pressing you down that you stand up tall, remember who is on your side and tell the devil ‘nope! not today!’

I know this verse in Jeremiah is my Father God encouraging me that he’s not done with me yet, there’s more to come and again I need to get out there, love and live. I’m glad he has the plan and he also has the strength and bravery I need to be obedient.

I want you to remember that serving God is not always pretty, convenient or safe. Living a life that honours Him means coming out of your comfort zone and getting your hands dirty. It’s not an easy road, it’s one that requires you to rely completely on God knowing the plan, trusting He is on your side, cheering you on, speaking life into the certainty of your future.

Living this life with Him means you get to do life with the most amazing bunch of beautiful, vibrant, servant hearted legends you will ever meet.

None of us perfect but all of us chosen to change the world for the better. I am so thankful that God loves this hot mess and has blessed me beyond measure with the friends I get to share it with.

So, a quick shout out to my lovely team!

I am so proud of you all, you make me want to be a better me and a more loving servant to our father God. You inspire, encourage and love me and I am baffled as to why but I love you guys for it!

I spent most of the night tonight pointing each one of you out to my friend saying ‘that’s my friend [insert name] they’re amazing!….’ Feeling emotional and proud that I have the privilege of calling you friends.

This girl is finally home.