This past year has been life-changing for me. No doubt about it. God has been removing fear in my life and replacing it with freedom. He has revealed His love for me and also given me His heart for the people in each country I’ve visited.
I am currently in my last month of this adventure with Jesus, and I am confident that the work He has done in my life over this year is lasting. I have a peace with whatever comes next because I know He will never leave my side. He has been my one constant throughout the entire World Race, and I know He will be there guiding my steps when I arrive home in a few weeks.
With this new freedom comes blessings that I realized I took for granted, new experiences from this past year and passions coming alive like never before. So, in celebration of my 23rd birthday today, I created a few lists for your reading pleasure.
23 things I am grateful for:
1. laughter
2. the privilege to go on the World Race and experience Jesus in this unique way
3. being able to have a personal, two-way relationship with the Creator of the world
4. the perfect shade of tan nail polish
5. Jesus is Risen!!!
6. pajama sets, clean sheets, down comforter and my king bed
7. S Squad (they each have inspired and encouraged me in some way)
8. that feeling when you just shave your legs and you didn’t miss any hair
9. having a family filled with people that you would like even if they weren’t your family
10. having friends that are as close as family
11. children from each country that have taught me about faith, joy, love & contentment
12. the fruit of the Spirit was never intended to be circumstantial or situational
13. prayerful and financial support from loved ones that made this mission trip a reality
14. hot baths, lavender candles and Tozer books with no place to be
15. Italian food
16. long hikes with great friends
17. the promises given to us in Scripture by a faithful God
18. the best of the best for squad parents and mentor (shout out to Hope, Tim & Lisa!)
19. the freedom that comes with following Christ and being open with your struggles
20. the incredibly inspiring people I’ve met along the way on this journey
21. blue cheese, feta cheese, goat cheese, cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese
22. clean dogs that want to snuggle
23. celebrating this birthday in Malawi with loved ones and another year to live for Him
23 firsts from this past year:
1. received 2 marriage proposals while in Zambia
2. flew internationally
3. chased and almost got attacked by a wild baboon in Africa
4. experienced true freedom in Christ
5. saw 2 wonders of the world, Angkor Wat and Victoria Falls
6. rode an elephant in Thailand
7. met an 8 year old girl who is forced into prostitution by her mom
8. experienced extreme poverty
9. preached at churches in Cambodia and Nepal
10. spoke to hundreds about the hope we carry in Christ during a funeral in Zambia
11. took cold showers for over 200 days
12. used a “squatty potty”
13. currently have 3 shirts and 2 pants and 2 African skirts in my possession
14. saw the African night sky
15. spent every major holiday away from family
16. hand-washed my laundry
17. lived in a tent for over 100 days
18. shared the Gospel with people who had never heard of Jesus before
19. traveled for 72+ hours to get to a country
20. lived out of a backpack for 11 months
21. went without a shower for….well, too long.
22. renewed my heart to make Him known among the nations
23. shared my full testimony without fear or condemnation
23 things I want to do before I am 24:
1. memorize Romans 8 and James 1
2. get a pixie haircut
3. take a road trip exploring out West
4. catch up with friends more in person than on social networking sites
5. try eating paleo for at least one month
6. compete in a triathlon (Sumter has one in October…who’s with me?)
7. read every book I own (I have a bad habit of buying books without reading them)
8. give away 100 items from my closet
9. be able to prepare at least 3 signature dishes
10. grow a vegetable garden (keeping any plant alive would actually be a first for me)
11. travel to 7 new states (happening in July with my sister!)
12. develop a consistent skincare regimen
13. pursue Jesus with a deeper passion than ever before
14. worship Jesus every single day
15. spend more time in nature
16. never let fears or the opinions of others hold me back from a radical life for God
17. write more handwritten notes
18. purchase a gun and get a CWP
19. organize worship nights at my house
20. be obedient to the Holy Spirit’s leading
21. take a ballet class
22. go three months without wearing any makeup
23. try all 7 parts from Jen Hatmaker’s book, 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess
