I just want to take a moment to honor the people who have been such great supporters.
To start, my amazing sister. Who I laugh with more than anyone else and will miss so much when I’m gone. She understands things about me that nobody else can. She points out when my heart isn’t right and helps me to figure life out. She tells me I’m cool, and we go swingingh in the rain when life is hard. Her life shouts of God’s hope, and she loves so well. I’ve learned so much from her, and I don’t know where I would be without her.
Duane & Deb. My landlords/foster parents. Before moving in, I didn’t know them, but they have blessed me in so many ways. They have shown me what it means to love and how to trust God in hard times. They constantly encourage and support me. When my car dies, they offer to let me use theirs. Then they bring me spare keys when I lock myself out.
My tennis team, including the coaches and parents. This team is one of the greatest families I have ever been given. If there’s anyone I can trust to have my back, it’s them. Every day of the season has been filled with blessings, and I’m so thankful for every person who is part of it. It’s amazing what God has done in their lives and where He is bringing them. They are prayer warriors, encouragers, best friends, and family. This group supports me more than any other.
Molly & Andrew. When I think about Molly’s life, I know that it is possible to endure anything with Jesus. She is such a beautiful woman who embodies strength, true joy, and hope. We live so far apart, but it is always such a blessing to be part of her life. Andrew is such a perfect fit for her, and it is beautiful to see how God molds them.
Christine. A woman who I wouldn’t know apart from the World Race. She expressed her support for me before I even met her. Then I met her and got to see the beautiful heart that God has given her. While I still don’t know her well, I look forward to this relationship growing. She shows such strength and determination, and her hope in the Lord shines so clearly.
Mackenzie (and family). We have been friends for so long, and she has always been a better friend than I could ask for or deserve. Her entire family has played such a huge role in my life, and I don’t know where I would be without them. Her mom has shown me so much about love, just by the way she lives, and that is definitely something that she passed along to Mackenzie. She understands me even when we haven’t talked for three months, and I am so excited to live in the same state as her for a month.
Bryce. While coaching tennis with him was so fun, it is just a joy to get to know him. He is so authentic, and I greatly appreciate how willing he is to challenge others. He is a leader who is great at pointing everything back to God. It is always encouraging to see his desire to grow in the Lord. Bryce listens well, both to God and to others. He is wise and caring in everything he does, and God is going to use him so greatly as a leader.
Andrew H. First we were just friends who unicycled together, but he has become such a close brother. He has a constant excitement for the Lord’s work and steady faith. It is so great to see God working in him and growing him as a leader. He decided to run a marathon to help me raise support and has gone through dorms at Northwestern collecting change for my trip. He is always ready to serve others and is constantly a blessing.
My Caribou family. There’s Reggie who asked me to run a marathon with him and had the idea of running it to raise support for my trip. David who gives wherever God leads him and with a joyful heart. All of the ladies who are a huge part of my life, whether they have been in it for 2.5 years or 4 months.
Jacob B. A prayer warrior and godly brother. I haven’t even known him for a year, but we have had so many fun times climbing mountains, studying linguistics, and playing ultimate. He is so faithful to God, through the good times and the bad. His joy is deeper than circumstances, and he loves every person he meets. He is so eager to give everything for Jesus. The Lord has great plans for him, and I can’t wait to see where God brings him.
Nate Livesay. He was a leader at my training camp for Iraq who I learned from in just a matter of days. His stories of God’s work have left an impact on me and I’m sure countless others. When I learned that he decided to support me monthly, I was shocked, challenged, and so encouraged. That he sees me as someone to invest in after just spending a couple days with me just amazed me. And it was a great reminder that even as I have to raise support, I am also to give freely because everything belongs to the Lord. He is a man with a title of leader but he leads so clearly just in the way he lives.
