It is very hard to believe that it is over halfway through month 8 already and I must admit, although my desire from the beginning has been to share every moment of my World Race story with you, blogging has been quite a challenge. I am a “word” person and if you know me, you know that I love to share stories. Throughout this journey however, my words just don’t seem adequate. I started off at the beginning of the race blogging tons but my updates, in case you haven’t noticed, have dwindled. I just can’t seem to put into satisfactory words all the things I have experienced; the challenges, the victories, the stories of the people that have etched their way onto my heart, and everything else in between. I am very much a “deep feeler” and I have been impacted so greatly, in a wonderful way, that even my own personal journaling doesn’t seem sufficient to expressing all that’s been on my heart.
Also, like I said, it is now month 8 and this seems to be the part in our squad’s journey where we all need strength. We have now been away from home for quite a while. We have been away from the ones we love, our comforts, our homes, our jobs, etc for 8 months and I must admit that for me, I’ve begun longing for home. I have found myself daydreaming of what America will be like, like it’s some sort of dream land I’ve never even been to before. I imagine what it will be like to step foot off the airplane wherever it is our plane lands in America and the flood of emotion and tears that will promptly ensue. I daydream about actually driving a car again, shopping in a store and being able to read labels, using familiar currency, having clean clothes, and being able to go somewhere without a buddy. I have dreamt multiple times about meeting my baby nephew, Talon, for the first time and taking him and my 5 year old nephew, Braiden, to the zoo and watching our favorite movies together.
So, with all this on my mind, how do I cope? How do I remain present? How do I continue?
I have found all the rest, comfort, and strength I need in the presence of God and in worship. My heart is so grateful for where I have been, where I am, and where I will be. Praising Him for all the gifts I have been given and giving it all back to Him in worship has been the key to my World Race survival. When I lie down at the end of the day, I soak in His presence, talk to Him about my experiences that day, and let go of my wandering thoughts about my post-race plans. This has been a key for me to remaining present at this point of the race.
Soon, everything I listed above about returning home will become the present. Soon, I will get to meet with my loved ones and share pictures and stories. Soon, this season of my life on the World Race will end…but that time is not yet now.
There is much to experience in the present. The ministry we are working with is incredible and there are ENDLESS possibilities for every day. Every day we are meeting new people, sharing testimonies, cleaning widow’s houses, sorting and passing out clothes to people in need, serving the squad by cooking for them, or preparing for the Parent Vision Trip next week. This ministry in Romania has been one of my favorites on the race and I don’t want to miss a second of it.
So, I am saying “yes” to God. Yes, I will keep running the race with endurance. Yes, I will continue pursuing each and every opportunity in the here and now. Yes, I will receive the strength that He offers me every day to continue. Yes, I will remain present and trust Him with my future. He has been so good to me. He has also gifted me with my beautiful team and I’m so excited to see what the next three months has in store, with U Squad by my side!
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:1-3)
If you would like to join me in prayer, here are some ways you can pray:
- Pray for peace, strength, and health over our squad as we continue on in our journey.
- Pray for the Parent Vision Trip next week where many of our parents will be flying to Romania on the 23rd to join us in ministry for the week. Pray for safe travel and blessing over our week with our parents and that He would be glorified.
- Pray for RESO ministry. We are working with them to reach out to thousands of people in need all over the region of Olt, Romania. We are also serving alongside many long-term missionaries that have been here for years. Pray for provision, wisdom, and continued strength for this impactful ministry.
Thank you for praying!
