Well, hello there! It has been quite awhile, hasn't it?
I felt it on my heart to send you guys–friends, family, supports and others an update. I feel that is is important because all of you played such a huge role in my story and journey over the last 18 months on my adventure around the world.
I made it home from The World Race about 6 months ago. It felt like a whirlwind of feelings, emotions, events and unknowns (and still is) but I was excited to press into the new season of being back at home and transitioning into what the Lord had next.
The last 6 months have been full of amazing things!
I have to start with THE MOST amazing story first. It is the quick version- but I got to start dating the man of my dreams and recently get engaged!
He too, went on the World Race. We met back in July 2011 at our training camp and instantly connected. We were on different squads and were headed to different countries, but the spark started there. For the next 13 months we stayed in touch off and on, as much as we could, building a friendship and sharing our experiences. It was so hard to be apart but we were committed fully to being present where we were and waiting until the timing was right.
It all came together the last day in August 2012 when our adventures on the The World Racehad finally came to an end. He showed up at the Jacksonville airport straight from Africa to pursue my heart! It was such a magical, special, beautiful and supernatural moment filled with such longing, love and joy! He turned the corner and I couldn't help but jump up and down with excitment and run into his arms!
Since then, we have been on an incredible adventure together- going here and there and listening for what the next steps are and what God is up to.
In September we got to go to Project Searchlight that is an event put on by the organization we went out on the field with that givers racers time to process, debrief, reconnect, reflect and look at what is next.
Then in October we went to Gainseville and stayed with some friends and took part in helping send out new missionaries on their own World Race jouney at a training camp in Georigia.
Then a week after that, we traveled to Oklahoma on the MegaBus to see my family and then jumped on a plane to the Portland/Washington area to spend time with his family in November.
Then in Decemeber we road-tripped back to the East coast from the West coast by way of a mini van to start our season of engagment and move towards marriage!
Thus far, I am beyond blessed. There have been moments where it has been hard, stressful and everything in between, but in the midst of it all– I can say that I am extrememly joyful and able to see God's goodness and His promises being fulfilled!
The Lord is such a good and faithful Dad. I am overwhelmed by His kindness!
There are so many open doors and opportunites for us but for the moment we are both living in Jacksonville Florida- working, having fun, building our foundation, taking part in a church community, getting to know each other more and planning a wedding!
We have a deep mutal love for the Lord, missions, discipleship, starting a family, worship and pursing His Kingdom above all else. We are so excited for this chapter in our story as He writes it and we know there is so, so, so much more to come!
So, be encouraged! The Lord has amazing plans for you, an incredbile journey and story that He wants to write in and through you!
"Taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed is the man who trusts in Him." Psalm 34:8
