As I'm sitting here in my sleeping bag on the floor of the Washington Dulles airport, experiencing my first official camp-out session of the World Race, jamming out to Matisyahu on my iPod, surrounded by my amazing teammates who are either sleeping forreals or are doing a good job of pretending to do so, but obviously not able to sleep myself, I realize how blessed I am.
Shooooot, before I even made it to DC for training I had already been overwhelmed with the blessings I had in my life. Now, a mere 4 days into my trip, I am a thousand times more grateful. Here's why:
I am so blessed to have such a strong support system at home. Seriously. My family and friends are amazing. I have never received so much encouragement and confirmation in my life as I did the last month leading up to my trip. If you are reading this and are one of the people who helped push me in the direction of this trip, thank you. If you are reading this and are one of the people who encouraged the crap out of me after I surrendered and decided to go, thank you. If you are reading this and you helped support me financially or with gifts or with dinner or with a home in the months leading up to this, thank you. Seriously, your generosity overwhelms me in the best of ways.
What's the most amazing thing about all of this to me is that I never asked for any of this generosity, but you all just freely gave it. I was almost brought to tears a thousand times in the final days leading up to my trip. People out of no where would offer to (or moreso demand that they do) and then buy things for me while out shopping for my trip, would buy me dinner without letting me argue them out of it, would hand me money when I never even dreamed of asking, would write me the nicest letters I have ever received in my life, would pray for me from the most sincere places in their hearts, would drive at least 9 hours round trip to see me one last time, would give me hugs and affirmation like I have never had before… it was crazy. You guys are crazy! Thank you!
I am also so blessed to be here. To be traveling with such an amazing organization. To have staff over us who I can geniuinely say care about each and every single one of us and wish the best for us. Who have, are, and will push us to reach the fullest of our potential. Who are fighting for and with us. Who are trying to help us live a life that is more radical than we ever imagined. Who are doing it all through God's guidance and strength.
I am so blessed to have such an amazing squad of individuals to experience this with. These people are legit. No lies. I wish you all could meet them. They have all given something up to be here and are diving in head first – ready to do some crazy business for God.
I am extra blessed to have such an amazing smaller team to spend the full 11 months with. The more I get to know these 2 guys and 4 girls the more I know that we were all meant to be together. It's been crazy to see how similar we are – even in regards to certain experiences we have had in our childhoods, things we experienced in the months leading up to this trip, and feelings we are having now. Yet, at the same time, we're all so different, and that's beautiful. I know for a fact that I'm going to learn a lot from this beautiful group of individuals, and I'm psyched about it.
I'm extra extra blessed and most thankful for a God who is bigger than I am. Who knows what He's doing and is persistent in calling me to follow His plan. Who is gracious when I mess up and faithful in keeping His promises. Who is loving enough to sit with me while I kick and scream when I don't get my way… and is then willing to forgive me when I'm done. Who challenges me every day to be a better woman and sits with me while I wrestle with big questions and doubts. Who chose to save me from my own depravity. Who loves to no end.
Whew! So much to be thankful for. I encourage you to sit back and think about what you too are thankful for. It is most rewarding.
