My heart is so full this week. I’m finally getting to know my team members that I get to spend the 11 months with and…wow. I’ve never loved a group of people so much without even meeting them in person. They are a downright amazing group full of wander lusting, creatives, artists, writers, thinkers, photographers, nurturers, and we all share the same burning love for the Lord. Already, we are sending prayers and support left and right for each other. I know when we meet for the first time at training camp there will be oodles of “squeeze you till you burst” hugs.
I gave myself a congratulatory pat on the back this week because I sent out my first stack of support letters! So much thought went into those letters, I think I made at least 7 different drafts. Fundraising and asking family and friends for money is so hard and I wanted to accurately get the point across of my reasons behind my decision to go. The anxiety that tends to take over when thinking about fundraising can be a tad overwhelming, but when things are put into perspective – most of the anxieties in my day to day life do not even come close to others’. I ended up receiving some great fundraising advise at the exact right time that I needed it this week and I know that if I’m meant to go – God will provide.
Surrendering my fears to God has been the most freeing feeling. Along with my anxieties, I’m giving up my doubts. A few Sunday’s ago, my pastor said something that stuck with me – “We are not who we think we are, God has a different view of us” This hit my heart because I’ve been struggling with thoughts that I wasn’t good enough, or ready enough, or that I wasn’t qualified enough. But, you know what? God tells me that despite my shortcomings, I am ENOUGH. We are all enough. I can’t let my inner doubts tell me who I am and I can’t let other peoples’ perception of me tell me who I am. So I’m now working on viewing myself through God’s eyes and I want to strive to be the person He sees in me. I’m broken, but because of Him, I’m not only enough, I’m forgiven. Amazing Grace, ya’ll!!!
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Eph. 2:10
I’m so grateful that God is using me to share this truth. Through the WR I can’t wait to share with the children in South Africa, East Asia and Central America who may be orphans or come from unstable homes and are struggling with the thought that no one will love them. I get to share this with human trafficking victims struggling with the demon that people only love them for one reason. I want to look them in the eye and reveal to them that they are powerful, capable and strong and most importantly mercifully loved, by a God greater than it all.
To sum this shindig up – from now on, I’ll be highlighting a squad member of mine every blog post because they really rock. I’ll start off with Jessie Dotson because her blog post today really helped with my writers block and I learned so much about our first country, Lesotho. She’s scary creative, adventurous, and rocking out as as a Senior theatre major at Charleston Southern University. Please check out Jessie’s blog – http://jessiedotson.theworldrace.org/
Please keep me and my team members on your prayers as God prepares our hearts and minds throughout our journey. I’ll be sure to keep you lovely readers updated on my life each month and share how the Lord is workin’ his magic in me.
P.S. THANK YOU to all of the the people who have ordered a t-shirt already. Your support means the world to me. If you are interested in supporting me directly please click the above, “Support Me” tab 🙂
