On Sunday, I will have been home from training camp for 3 weeks. And on August 7th, I will be exactly one month away from my departure date. I can’t remember a time when my life has moved at such great speed, but despite the fast pace, my soul is happy and my heart is at peace. I am ready to go. Ready to see. Ready to love. My heart is joyful with the anticipation of being so close to seeing God’s creativity firsthand, of meeting His people in all different corners of the globe, and of having the opportunity to share His love to a world so achingly in need of it. This quickly-approaching opportunity is such a sweet reminder of His love for His kids and His unwavering faithfulness.
In my 10 days at training camp, I struggled. I sweated and I sunburned. I ate weird food with dirty hands. I took cold bucket showers. I didn’t use a real bathroom (for 10 whole days, folks). I missed my mom and coffee and my bed and my friends. I looked at hard things in my life and in my past straight in the face, and I felt the weight of them. I cried. I slept on the ground. I faced obstacles that I absolutely didn’t think I could overcome.
In my 10 days at training camp, I felt so fully alive that I thought I might burst. I felt more confident than ever before that I was walking in the way of His plans. At training camp, I heard stories of racers making lasting change in the communities they served. I saw forever-friendships formed in 10 short days. I saw a beautifully free group of people come together in the pursuit of something greater. I worshipped without restraint, and I abided in the deep, vast love of the Father. I felt affirmation from my God that I was exactly where He wanted, exactly when He wanted me there. I became a family with 42 other people who’s hearts mirror my own, and who care about the same things as me.
Training camp was hard, but it was so, so good. Life is hard, but it’s so, so good. This upcoming year will be hard, but so, so good. I am so excited and ready to do this amazing thing that God has called me to. I’m ready to follow Jesus out of the boat into waters where I simply can’t swim by myself. I’m ready to experience the fullest life that He can offer me.
If you want to support me and be a part of my journey, I ask that you do two things. First, I ask that you PRAY for me. Pray wholeheartedly that I will be obedient to God. Pray that I see His world and His people through His eyes. Pray that I take every day He gifts me and do the most with it that I can. Second, I ask that you DONATE. If you feel like God is calling you to give to me financially, I would be more than appreciative to receive your gift. Help me meet my $10,000 deadline by AUGUST 19TH. You can donate here through this blog. It has been a beautiful thing to see my community come around me and support me as I say “yes” to The Lord. For that, I am so thankful.
“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” -John 13:35
For the Kingdom,
Ellen
