As my 27th birthday approaches, I find myself reflecting on the life I've lived up to this very minute, and how I've seen the Lord at work all along the way.
My heavenly Father knew me long before conception, with a specific plan and purpose in mind, and He knit me in my mother's womb (Jeremiah 1:5). My mother carried me with joy, and on October 28th, 1987, the doctor performed a cesarean section, cutting her belly open and pulling me out (sorry for the scar, mama!). I was then baptized with the Holy Spirit that following January, and have since been walking my journey with the Lord.
My life has been incredibly blessed. God has held my hand through many struggles and many triumphs, and honestly, I've been covered with a tremendous amount of favor! The way He loves and cares for me is unbelievable. Whether it's the people He has placed in my life (and all the sweet little ones I get to watch grow), or the endless moments of true joy and laughter, or the way He has always provided for my needs and wants, or the way He has, and continues to, transform my heart and life, or the way He works everything out JUST right and at the EXACT RIGHT time, or the adventures I've been privileged to take and the beauty I've been able to see – trips to MI, IA, IL, MO, KS, OR, MN, TN, NY, FL, GA, AR, LA, MS, IN, NE, MD, D.C., WI, and CO, not to mention Mexico, Guatemala, and now, THE WORLD RACE. With loving people in Nepal, India, Thailand, and Cambodia under my belt, I am struck with the realization that the extent to which my heavenly Father loves ME is absurd. I am so undeserving! But thankful 🙂
THIS YEAR, I get to celebrate my birthday in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, while getting ready to jump on a plane headed for….drum roll please….AFRICA!! Wait. Did you hear me?! I said GOD is giving me AFRICA for my 27th birthday! BEST GIFT EVER! Y'all may know by now, but this is a 22-year dream of mine about to come true. Holy cow. How am I supposed to wrap my mind around THAT?! I can't wait to touch my toes down on African soil. The ground beneath my feet will surely become a mud puddle from the billion tears I anticipate crying.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS HELPED BRING THIS 'LITTLE GIRL DREAM' and 'BIG GIRL LONGING' TO FRUITION. What a gift my life is, that the Lord would call me to such an incredible journey and surround me with the love, prayers, and support of so many loved ones, so many faithful ones. I truly am grateful. Please keep me in your prayers as I continue this adventure!
Though many have inquired about my financial needs and how to send cards/gifts, I cannot receive mail while on the Race. You may, however, send checks to my home in St. Louis and the very beautiful Magretta will gladly deposit them into my account. As always, Emails and facebook messages would be cheerfully received as well (I'm a sucker for all things sentimental!).
Current financial needs? Funds for:
-hygiene products – cultural clothing -warm clothing in Europe
-taking students and locals out for coffee/ice cream to build relationships
-iTunes gift cards to purchase songs for teaching youth/worship (can be emailed to me)
-spending money for off days/seeing giraffes in their natural habitat 🙂
I also need to raise $3,200 by January 1st in order to stay on the Race! That's 2 months away! If you or anyone you know, or your congregation, would like to partner with me, please let me know!
PLEASE E-MAIL ME AT: [email protected] IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAIL A FINANCIAL GIFT OR HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT ME, MY JOURNEY, OR JUST TO SAY HELLO 🙂
Sending love from Cambodia!
Mandy
