Looking back on the past two years it’s crazy to think I’m celebrating my birthday away from home and all that is familiar yiet in the best way I could of imagined .
My 22nd birthday was spent partying the weekend away at a country festival
My 23rd birthday was spent crying about fundraising for the race and laser tag with friends
And my 24th birthday was spent in Nicaragua with 10 teammates and our amazing hosts .
we spent part of the day at the dump giving a meal and a short message to the people who go there everyday to provide for their families, it was heartbreaking watching people fight over who got thirds because that food wasn’t for them but for their kids at home . But it was wonderful to pray over the women there and bless them with a meal .
Our host who is one of the sweetest people I know made a point of making today special , our last diner as a team happened to be my birthday diner and she spent the afternoon with some teammates making three different kinds of cookies, brownies and cupcakes. Everything anyone would ever want !
I didn’t think I’d be blowing candles out of a cake this year but I got to do that which was amazing !
Most of today was spent reflecting , reflecting on the past few years and even on the past 8 months . It’s crazy to think my entire 23rd year was spent fundraising and doing the race, the race has consumed my year and I’ve loved it . But it’s crazy looking on to year 24 and realizing the race isn’t filling up the year. It’s exciting yiet scary to think about all the unknowns. For so long now the race has been a known thing for me, I haven’t had to think past that much , now I have to think about what lies ahead for year 24. And honestly I have no clue . And I’m okay with that
So often we are asked. So what’s next? And my answer is. I don’t know
And I’m in no rush to find out . One thing the race has taught me is patience. And God requires our patience. The less we have the more he pushes us . So I’m waiting patiently for him to show me ,expectant of great things to come .
When I first singed up for the race I would hear so often” don’t put the race on a pedalstool” and I think it’s a great way to see it .
The race isn’t ” the best thing that will ever happen to me ”
The race is the training ground for more to come , it’s God preparing me for the greater things he has in store . The race is amazing. But life after the race is amazing too .
So 24 I’m expectant of great things. Much like I never could have imagined my 23rd year. That is how I’m going into year 24 , just waiting for God to blow me away !
I’m still a little under $400 away from my final deadline , please be praying for God to fully fund what he’s called me to !
And be praying for my squad as we begin to transition into ending this season well and preparing for the next season to come !
