A fun fact about my life…I learned to fight in a Church. (Yup totally true and our coach was our Pastor Preston!)
A year before I started the World Race, I began a journey into fitness. I knew where I was physically wasn’t the best I could be. I knew the World Race was possibly in my future and even if it wasn’t, I knew something big was coming and I needed to be ready. I started exercising with one of my best friends. He happens to be personal trainer, his name is Matt. (You can click on his name to be connected to his Personal Training Facebook page). He helped me set goals and also, encouraged me to push pass my limits that I never thought were possible.
Within that year, I decided to join my church’s fight team Freedom MMA. The first couple of sessions with them, I felt like…okay maybe this isn’t for me. I felt so uncoordinated for the first time in my life (hahaha) but through encouragement, I kept up with it and I totally fell in love with fighting!!! Not to mention, it was super intimidating working along side men who have been fighting for years. These men have competed and won with knock-outs, and there are only 2 of us girls. But what I learned, is even as scary as they seemed they were so gentle and so willing to teach!! I can’t say that I will ever fight in a ring but that doesn’t change the way we train. ( I could go more into what I’ve loved about learning MMA and being a part of that team but then this blog would be way too long!! Hahaha)
Our coach Preston made shirts for the team and the back of them say “Hands up, Chin Down, Finish the fight” (1 Timothy 6:12 )
I never knew how much that saying would truly make a difference in my life.
MONTH 3 HONDURAS!!!!
Entering Honduras was a task!!! The bus trip to get there TOOK FOREVER!!! And that was just to the capital! Once we got to the capital our team waited about 3 hours (well actually we slept because it was 2 or 3 in the morning) and then we caught another bus which was about another 12 or so hours to Santa Rosa De Capon where we would be spending our month. Those travel days have been the longest yet!! We were all so glad to arrive!!!
This month we worked with an organization Legacy of Hope. This consisted of Foster Care and Transition Homes. We each split up into twos and worked within each house.
I specifically had the opportunity to work with the crisis center and transition home. The crisis center worked closely with the local Child Protective Services, which brought in children with many many different stories! All that would truly break your heart and the kids were just so beautiful! It was an awesome opportunity to just be a light in their darkness and show them love from the Lord. I specifically helped in a home with 2 infants and 2 toddlers! My heart could have exploded with the love I had for those girls. Their stories were terribly heartbreaking however, they were so full of joy and love! I could go on and on about these girls and this ministry! But overall I can say I have a new respect for mommies with twins!!! (Hahaha but seriously though!!)
I truly loved every moment of living in Honduras.
But this month was also SUPER CHALLENGING! I was personally attacked hard spiritually. I had a couple different personal things come about this month. And as much as I loved everything about it, it was tough! Plus add in a little homesick from Christmas. Overall, it felt like a true roller coaster!
I was talking to my youth pastor and just sharing what was on my heart that month and he responded with many things but this one totally stuck out to me and rang truth into my heart.
And I’ve learned that even when things seem totally overwhelming and things might not make sense in the moment, FIGHT!!!! Each of us have been trained to fight. You may be thinking but I’ve never learned to throw a punch in my life. I’m talking more on the spiritual side of things. Each of you who have accepted Christ into your heart have the power to fight. And with this kind of fighting you actually don’t do a lot of moving, or throwing punches. With this type of fighting you just have to simply let go and surrender. Release this issue and speak out the name of Jesus. And guess what?! Your fighting is over! You have to simply sit back and allow the Lord to fight on your behalf.
Exodus 14:14 “The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm”
Deuteronomy 3:22 “Do not be afraid for the Lord your God will fight for you.”
Deuteronomy 20: 4 “For the Lord your God is going with you! He will fight for you against your enemies and he will give you victory!”
2 chronicles 20:17 “but you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them again tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!”
Convinced yet?! Well it’s true. Whatever Satan is trying to tempt you with or whatever warfare is happening in your life. Take sometime today to sit down, process through it and release in the name of Jesus and watch how the Lord fights for you to bring Victory.
Now hold on…don’t get caught up….because sometimes we miss moments where the Lord brings us into victory because we expect certain things and expected certain results. So take time to seek out where the Lord has already brought you Victory!!
Put your Hands Up, Chin Down and FINISH THE FIGHT.
I am currently into month 4! IF you can believe it! I am serving in Guatemala! Our ministry this month is called Unsung Hero! So we are currently looking for ministry contacts in or near Antigua, Guatemala! Please e-mail me or comment on this page if you know someone serving here for us to connect with!! (More info on what this month looks like coming soon! I’M SUPER PUMPED!!!)
Also last annoucement! I am currently in my final month of my financial deadline but I am about $3,500 away…if you haven’t already would you consider donating (Plus it’s tax deductible!!!)
