So this is the blog every world racer can’t wait to write, the two words they can’t wait to say from the time they sign up…..FULLY FUNDED!!!
Thanks to all of my amazing supporters, I now have all my funds to finish the race. To be honest I would read fully funded blogs when I was still at home, and I always wondered what mine would be like, how would I say thank you to the people who made this possible. Would I even get to write mine, I mean $ 15, 500 was a whole heck of a lot of money. Somehow I had faith to believe it was going to be possible, but I sure didn’t know how, and it wasn’t without its fair share of doubt. So here I am fully aware there are not words enough to express how grateful I am to the Lord for making a way for His plan to prevail in my life, and for all the people in my life who believed in me enough to invest in this God dream.
It's month seven, and I am sitting in Malaysia, finding it hard to believe that there are only just over four months left on this journey. I guess what I want to tell all my supporters is that I can confidently say I am not the same women I was when I left in July. I have learned possibly more lessons in seven months then I would have in ten years. (not joking) I have laughed more, and cried more times than I can count. I have had moments of complete joy in knowing I am exactly where I am supposed to be. I have had moments when throwing in the towel seemed easier than staying on the mission field. I probably know less now than I have ever known, and I am okay with that. I have made life long friends that have called me out on my crap and pushed me into the greatness I was called to walk in. I have met people that I would have never met in a million years, who have crazy stories, and have done whatever it takes to follow Jesus. I have preached, went door-to-door telling people of the hope they have in Jesus. I have been to the bars on Bangla Road in Thailand to build relationships with the girls and tell them they are worth so much more than what a guy is willing to buy them for. I have held children, helped lead worship, and taught English classes. I’ve even got to paint cement snails in Nicaragua, who says ministry has to look a certain way.
I wish I could sum up all I have learned and walked through the past 7 months but that would take days so here is a small list. I have found my voice (singing voice and speaking). I have more confidence and have come to realize I no longer have to compare myself to others, what I have is unique to me. People don’t validate me, the Lord does. I don’t have to live to please people or find my worth in what they say about me. I realized I don’t always have to be ok, its ok to be weak, and tears aren’t the worst thing in the world. Living with 6 other people day in and day out is freaking hard, but you quickly realize who you really are and the things in you that need work. Expectations will get you every time and no matter how many times you think you don’t have them, you always do. I may have even lost 40 some odd pounds walking around seven different countries and sweating almost continually (minus my time in Europe). The best weight loss plan I’ve been on yet. But more than anything I have a passion burning inside of me to know my creator more than I ever have and to walk in obedience to whatever and wherever He calls me.
Only my God could have made a way for me to be here in His perfect timing, and you been part of that!! Nothing seems out of realm of possibility, when a girl from a town of 2800 people and who attends a church of 20 people, support raised $15 500. Cleary it wasn’t my doing, all credit goes to the Lord above. Supporters THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! You will never know the impact this trip has made on my life; I truly and honestly can say I will never be the same because of my experiences on the world race.
Also, I am now under a new team leader named Whitney Huntley, but with the same team I have been with since month four. (Formerly Relentless Warrior) We have decided that we are entering a new season on the race, so with that we have changed our name. We are now rise up and soar. We desire to rise above and soar into all the Lord has for us in the next four months. Pray for us as we head off to Cambodia in the next week or so.
LOVE YOU ALL!!!
