It’s
August 2nd which marks 3 months since I have returned from the World Race. The last time I wrote and posted a blog, I
was giving packing advice and sharing the experience I had in Rwanda, Africa. I was dealing with, what I thought, was a
hamstring injury and I was happy in Africa along with my team and G Squad
family where we were preparing to travel to our final country of the World
Race.
A lot has happened within that time. I want to share with you what the Lord has
been walking me through, what He has taught and still teaching me, and the answer
to the infamous question, “what’s next?” I write this not to get sympathy, but
to be a light of God’s faithfulness
and love towards not only me, but us all.
First things first, I came back home to
the United States three and half weeks before I was scheduled to come
back. The pain I was experiencing in my
leg just became so worse that there was only one thing left to do and that was
to come home and get treatment/relief.
Turns out, after several doctors and an MRI, I was diagnosed with a L5-S1
herniated disc pressing onto a nerve.
After 2 failed injections and considering the time-frame of my injury, the
best treatment for my situation was surgery.
So, I had a lumbar microdiscectomy on June 25. Among the stiffness and limited mobility, the
pain I was experiencing in my leg for two and half months was gone! Praise
the Lord! I missed out on my squad’s
project searchlight (convention-type at AIM headquarters in Gainesville, GA.)
and my national athletic training convention in Vegas, but I did NOT
miss my cousin Constance’s wedding. She
asked me to be a bridesmaid back in December and pushed the wedding back until
after I was home so I could be a part of her special day, so there was no way I
was missing it. Praise the Lord for getting me down that aisle pain-free!
Today marks a month and one week since
my surgery. The pain in my leg is gone
and I occasionally still get stiffness in my back, but I know the Lord is
strengthening and healing my back one day at a time. I have days where I have to use my
discernment and back off on doing things.
I go see my surgeon on the 5th for my post-op appointment, so
please be praying for a good appointment.
I am ready to start some physical therapy and start to get my body back
to normal.
Next, I would like to start off with a prayer
request for my family. I ask if you all could keep my parents, my
cousin Braylan, and both my grandmothers in your prayers.
When I called my mom from Kenya telling
her I had to come home for treatment, I was informed then to fly into Cincinnati
instead of Atlanta. Confused, I asked
why and then she told me that my uncle had passed away leaving my 14 year old cousin. I made it back to America safely; and thankfully,
my grandpa had a wheelchair, so I wheeled myself into my uncle’s funeral. It’s no fun saying goodbye to a loved one,
especially one you haven’t seen in 10 months.
After his funeral, my parents and I drove home to Atlanta with my 14
year old cousin.
When I flew into the Cincinnati
airport, I crutched off the plane and surprised to find my parents right there at
the gate to get me. As my mom was
wheeling me through the terminal, it was then she told me that my grandpa had a
brain stem stroke and was in the hospital.
First my injury, then my uncle and now my grandpa?? What could possibly happen next?!
A month and three weeks later, after multiple
attempts of rehabilitation, my grandpa went Home to be with our Heavenly Father
from the comfort of his own home with his family by his side.
To sum my summer up, I left a community
who became like a family, left an amazing trip 3 weeks early, I lost an uncle
and grandpa, and I had back surgery.
Some might ask, If your God is so
good, why did he let all this happen to you?
Yes, a lot of unfortunate things happened
to me. But the Lord has shown me so
much light through these dark circumstances. The Lord
has taught and walked me through a lot of stuff. Stuff such as: dependence, trust, humility
and patience; stuff that will only make me stronger and prepare me for the next
season in my life.
My world race is over. That season is
over and a new season is just beginning.
Right now, I’m in the middle of a season of rest with my Father, this so He can reveal things to me about Him and
this world. This world is dark and life
is hard, but it’s where we place our hope that matters. That is what will get us though this
life. Our hope. God gave us hope by sending His son to earth
to end up dying for all of mankind and giving us His greatest gift grace!
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and
this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no
one can boast. For we are Gods handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good
works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:8-10
So,
to answer the question “What’s next?” and satisfy your curiosity I’m going to
answer that question right now.
I DON’T KNOW WHAT’S NEXT.
What
I do know is that whatever is next its good because my Heavenly Father is good
and He has a good plan for me; plan to
prosper me and not to harm me (Jer. 29:11).
As long as I keep putting my hope in my Jesus and trusting Him, the
blessings will flow.
But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever
sing for joy. Spread your protection over them that those who love your name
may rejoice in you. Surely, Lord, you bless
the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield. Psalm 5:11-12
If
I had control over my life, all my plans would work out. I would be married with kids in a nice house and
be an athletic trainer at some high school.
But, I don’t have control. Before
the race, my plan was to return afterwards and go to grad school on a
graduate assistantship for athletic training.
But, that didn’t play out.
While I was on the race, my post-race plans was to go back and be a high
school athletic trainer in an area where I can be involved in a community yet still be involved in ministry outside the high school. That’s not happening right now. So, that’s it. I’ve stopped planning. I have some ideas that have been placed on my
heart and I have been praying into them; ideas that involve things such as: my
passion for athletic training, overseas work and ministry. From the time I was 17 to my time on the
world race, I know have been called.
I am a missionary for Jesus Christ and I
will continue to live and work my life for Him alone!
As we know that in all things God works for the good of
those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to
be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many
brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he
called, he also justified; those he justified; he also glorified. Romans
8:28-30
Thank
you all for all your support, love and prayers.
Please continue to pray for my
back for strength, total restoration and my follow-up appointment on the
5th. Keep my parents in your prayers for guidance
in helping Braylan in life and peace in the household; For Braylan for healing, purpose and happiness in his new life and
never to forget the old. And for my grandmothers as they grieve their loved ones. I appreciate each and every one of your
prayers! I have some of the BEST prayer
warriors!
Rejoice always, pray
continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is Gods will for
you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Thank
you so much for following along my World Race journey! Hope you enjoyed following my blog as much as
I have enjoyed writing it. I hope to
keep in touch with each and every one of you!
If any of you have further questions or would like to chat, my email is [email protected] and my skype name is ldawson24. If you would like, leave your email below, I’ll add you to potential future blog mailing lists. J
God
Bless!
Hugs
& Kisses
Love,
Lynsey
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only
aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me
the task of testifying to the good news of Gods grace. Acts 20:24
His plan is BIGGER than mine!
