It’s been quite a journey since last January when the Lord put the World Race in my heart as a wild dream. I remember I couldn’t sleep for like 3 nights because it was all I could think about, and every airplane I saw in the sky made my heart leap. I’m not sure where the time has gone. Since then, God didn’t just open doors for me, He flung those suckers open and beckoned me right on through. Example: praying for a place to live rent free as I prepared for the race, then giving away my stuff believing it would happen. It was merely days before I was hauling my suitcase into the home of the most loving, prayerful, woman of God as she greeted me with the words “welcome home.” That was the beginning of what is now a lifelong friendship. Man, He is good!
Fundraising taught me so much. At first, it was a daunting task. He challenged me during this time to give more. The scripture that became a reality for me was Luke 6:38 “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” I was, and still am, completely overwhelmed by the love and support I received from family, friends, and the Church. God is so unfathomably amazing.
This season of life was certainly not void of challenges and struggles. It was one of the hardest yet most beautiful. I had the chance to take a stab at my biggest fear (public speaking) and share my testimony. I had the privilege of building amazing relationships with clients at work. Friendships went through trials and made it out on the other side even stronger. I learned a lot, grew a lot, and was shown over and over again that I can’t do life on my own; I need others to walk this journey with me. Through it all I always saw the Lords faithfulness and grace. On the highlight reel is definitely my mom, dad, and sister getting baptized, my dad taking off of work to spend time with me before I leave, the four of us growing closer as a family, and sweet memories with friends God has blessed me with. God has really shown me His love through them! I was sent me off covered in prayer. 🙂
I realized that at training camp, yeah I grew, but I still left many walls up and I still let fear dominate me in a lot of ways. I am praying that over this next year I will overcome that fear. I don’t know what the future holds; almost everything is an unknown at this point. I do know that I wasn’t called to be successful as most define success, or to live the typical American life. He gave me life, He saved my life, and He sustains and holds my life. So, I want my life to be an open book for Him to write the rest.
I know that He has divine appointments already set up for my team and I this next year, and I don’t want to miss a single one. Our first assignment is a children’s home in India and I could not be more excited! I love kids!! I’m not going to be on technology much on the race but I will try my best to blog about once a week. Sorry in advance for my scattered thoughts as I try to articulate what’s happening in my heart. Squirrel! I leave tomorrow with my mom for Georgia and then we launch a couple days later. In the meantime, I’m ready to have another cup of coffee and some more snuggles with the pets and enjoy my family for one more day. God bless and happy New Year!!!
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not see it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland…” Isaiah 43:19
To be continued… 🙂
