Ahem.
1. Below you will find my families. You read right, it's plural. Because I happen to be one of the luckiest ladies on the planet that currently has not one, not even two, but THREE families that I just couldn’t bare to do without. Man am I blessed.
2. Many of you have been praying for me already and are planning on praying as I journey through the nations in the coming year – wow, what a blessing! Thank you SO much! But I now have another favor to add on. I’m humbly requesting to add a smidge more to your prayer plate. My awesome families need your prayers, too!
And now to the introductions…
The Jones Family
I don’t think I can put it into words just how much I appreciate my family. There’s my sister, Jennifer, who is probably one of my biggest “fans.” She has unknowingly taught me so much about strength, perseverance, and determination, and I admire her for the honesty with which she lives her life, the pride she has in her family, and the wonderful mother that she has become. She has a beautiful daughter named Kennedy, to whom I am a proud godmother. Although she doesn’t know it yet, I cherish her more than anybody else on this planet and I'm sad I have to miss out on her year of growing from 2 to 3.
My sister and I at home in Hanson My precious niece Kennedy Lauren
When it comes to the person that I am today, I owe first to God, but next in line are my wonderful parents. My mom Mary has always been an example to me of what it means to have compassion for others – she has one of the kindest and most caring hearts I know. I admire her for the way she is always seeking out ways to make other people feel good and brighten their days. Then there’s Eddie, my dad who raised me to have a positive attitude, so that no matter what happens, I know that I am a blessed person and have a reason to keep smiling. I admire him for his friendliness and his ability to make others laugh. Together, they have raised me by showering more love and encouragement than I could ever have hoped for. As I’ve made decisions through the years, they’ve supported me no matter what. Although I know that my decision to go on the World Race ultimately is one that makes them proud, I also know that it is very tough for two parents to let their “baby girl” go to the other side of the globe for a whole year. It would be a huge blessing to me if prayers for peace, comfort, and encouragement could be sent their way while I’m gone and particularly during the first week and holidays.
my parents with my niece Kennedy
RISE UP!
Drum roll please. Announcing. Team Rise Up!!!! This is my most immediate family for my time on the race. These are the sweet souls that I will be spending every moment of every day with. We will eat, sleep, sing, worship, pray, laugh, dance, cry, sweat, etc together every moment of every day. Yes, this is community like you’ve never imagined it before. And let me tell you that this team is AWESOME! Everyone is unique in their own ways and has much to bring to our time together in ministry and just in living life together. I can’t wait!
Team Rise Up – for one afternoon, we owned this bowling alley
Our team name, Rise Up, came to be because we will rise up into the men and women that God is calling each of us to become. We want to rise up from our past and step into the fullness of all that God has planned for us. We want to tell the people we meet along the way to rise up from the darkness, to rise up from their pain, to rise up from their circumstances, to rise up from this world and enter into the light, the healing, the redemption, the hope, the joy, and the love of the everlasting Kingdom of God! Whew – powerful. So please pray for team Rise Up as we set out on this journey to love the world!
From L to R: me, Steve Ticknor, Sarah Ruplinger, Hannah Dagenhart, Frank Sawatsky, Kelly Gauthier, Mallory Martin
X Squad
Sounds straight out of a DC comic, right? I mean, they’re all pretty much superheroes, but they are also my extended family. So much love in my heart for my entire squad. We are a group of 47 young adults from all across the US and Canada that started as strangers, but were united by this common thread – a desire and a calling to go to the nations to share with them why we have hope, why we have joy, and ultimately to love and serve the people along the way like never before. We survived training camp together, and we are ready to take on the world together. Please pray courage, boldness, and blessings over X Squad this year!
Your prayers are much appreciated! If you are looking to bless my squad financially as well, please check out this blog that one of my squadmates put together which shows where everyone stands in terms of getting to “fully funded”: http://valyoumans.theworldrace.org/?filename=better-to-give-than-receive Pass it along to others as you feel led, or just pray for God to fill their support accounts by His means.
Welp, I’m glad I could finally introduce you to all the wonderful families in my life. Thanks in advance for all your prayers!
