For six months God has been wrecking my ideas of grace, of community, love, and self. For six months, He has pursued and challenged me daily through family, friends, and people I barely know. He is changing the way I understand the gospel in, sometimes, very scary ways.
I didn’t expect to write this blog, so please forgive my lack of eloquent words and know that this is written from a place gratitude at the bottom of my heart.
Six months ago, the idea of “earning” my place on the race came more natural to me than the idea of community stepping up beside me and journeying with me. In fact, after reading so many, “I’m coming home if…” blog posts, I was prepared to financially struggle on the race. I expected that God would choose to grow my faith by having me launch without being fully funded. As a list maker and planner and self proclaimed Dave Ramsey Nerd, this would have been ((or so I thought)) the scariest way to begin my race.
But grace has been given abundantly from people I don’t deserve it from…which, I guess, is what makes it grace. Thank you, you have each become a part of my journey and I consider myself blessed to be on the race with you.
To my parents and sisters:: thank you for your constant support and guidance over the years. Thank you for introducing me to the World Race years ago and never allowing the dream to die. Thank you for encouraging a life of adventure and travel, always granting me the gift of coming home. Thank you for allowing me to wander without ever getting lost.
To friends and family:: you have been supportive from day one. You have been my source of strength and hope when tears were overflowing. Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for your prayers, your fasting, and your encouragement. Thank you for researching gear, spotting REI specials, and testing equipment with me. Thank you for sharing my excitement over coffee and lending endless listening ears as I hash out every feeling and feelings about feelings.
To monthly sponsors:: you have faithfully, generously, and selflessly given… thank you. You have been my mana and provision over the past six months. You have demonstrated His consistent and undeserved love to me. Thank you!
To the Hartford Girls:: you have made Hartford House into home and taught me the beginnings of community. You cried with me on the kitchen floor and cheered me on as I hit submit for the World Race application. You have spoken words of peace in the mornings over coffee and become my best friends in the evenings over wine… You each inspire me every single day, and I am blessed to have grown, laughed, cried, and loved alongside each of you.
To those of you who gave in faith:: you don’t even know me, but you believe in me. You have no idea the magnitude of this gift, or my gratitude. Thank you, for your words of courage and prayers against doubt. Thank you for your stories of hope and love, and for your reminder that, “it is already finished”.
Your gifts of support and prayers and encouragement have been the gifts of something more. They are the gifts of discipleship, community, and the Gospel. Thank you, for the opportunity and blessing of the Race. It will be life changing, it will be a struggle, and it will change my heart. Thank you for being part of my heart change.
With love and gratitude,
Steph
