10 days!? Geez, that came quick.
I can remember running through my house telling my two roommates (Becca and Bekah…ironic I know) that I was applying for the World Race and how excited I was.
I can remember calling my parents crying with the news of my acceptance!
I can remember being nervous for training camp, frantically packing a pack which i had NO clue how to do. Then after arriving in Georgia and getting over the first shock of “What the heck did I get myself in to…” I realized I had finally found God’s calling for my life and experienced a peace and joy that was literally UNREAL.
So, here I am, 10 days away from getting on a plane with a 65 liter pack, a day pack (backpack) and the presence of the Holy Spirit.
(This picture my pack was completely packed wrong.
That huge sleeping bag was taken back and traded
for a much smaller one and the unicorn is staying home.
Pillow Pets are awesome…just too bulky for my taste)
I cannot lie. I’m not good at it, so I wont even try…I am overwhelmed with all sorts of emotions. I’m usually a fly by the seat of pants type of girl, never showing any weakness or emotion (or at least that’s how I liked to have viewed myself over the past years).
But today, I praise the Lord for weakness!
I was forced yesterday to crawl to Him and ask for help, because woah…it just hit me…I leave in 10 days. Am I ready for this? Am I ready to be a team leader? Am I ready to leave all my comforts and rights behind? I have no clue what that even looks like..Can I do this?
I had a garage sale yesterday…and I just witnessed half of my belongings being bought for change. I watched memories (good and bad) walk out of my parents garage thinking…wow…I really am letting go of everything. I felt an instant excitement but also a very present sadness.
As we closed the doors to the garage sale…I instantly started tearing up. What in the world is wrong with me?!
God whispered.. “absolutely nothing”.
I needed rest, I needed joy, I needed to be reminded to focus on “things above, and not on earthly things.”
I could hardly sleep a wink last night…I feel my Heavenly Father so very near that I don’t even mind the fact I am losing some much needed sleep.
10 days might be scary…yes…but it is so exciting. I have been given an opportunity of a lifetime, and one that I most certainly do NOT deserve. I have been given 11 months to abandon everything and write a love story with Jesus…and I feel SO very blessed.
I never imagined I would be able to get to THIS place or raise THIS much money. But our God is so good….and He can turn someone who has lived a life such as mine…into something so very beautiful.
So, here is to the next ten days…may they be blessed with smiles, tears, hugs, laughter, joy, worship, love, closure, letting go, pain, hope, blessings, and many goodbyes. I may not be ready or capable to bear all that these next 10 days hold, but He is more than able to bear it for me.
More than ever, I am so excited to be reunited with my new brothers and sisters that God has handpicked for me to spend the next season of my life with.
So let me officially introduce you to Team Hephzibah:
(Back: Abby, Diana, Shawna, B
Front: Me, Sage, Amanda)
ahem…
First up is Shawna! She might be quiet at first, but don’t let her fool you. She has a loving heart and is so sensitive to those around her. She has such a fun personality! She has been chosen as our team treasurer (thank goodness for her, I will not be handling our team’s money). This daughter of the King shines with compassion and joy and is such a blessing to have around.
I can’t wait to see how God uses her for the Kingdom!
Next is Diana! Oh Diana…What a fun spirit. She is fantastic at taking photos and has such a giving heart (She actually gave me a pair of shades after literally JUST meeting me at the airport because I forgot mine!). She might be quiet in a big crowd at first but has a lot of her heart to share to those who are ready to listen. This girl is gonna shine bright and is preparing herself for lots of opportunities for growth!
I can’t wait to see how God uses her for the Kingdom!
Next is Abby-O! She is a southern sweetheart from Austin, TX! She is blessed with a gift of mothership and loves to take care of others. She is blessed with a sweet and sincere heart as well as a peace that radiates from her very being. She is one of those people you just soak up the time you get to spend with her! She loves being active so I’m pretty pumped for her to keep our team in tip-top shape!
I can’t wait to see how God uses her for the Kingdom!
(thats B on the right 🙂
Then there is B! (Mary B., but I’m choosing to call her B, so you all know as of now!). This woman is musically gifted and will be bringing her guitar! She has accepted the call to let God use her through music while on the race and help lead our times of worship which I am just super pumped about!! She has such a loving and willing heart and a super fun personality to be around, not to mention some pretty rad dance moves.
I cannot wait to see how God uses her for the Kingdom!
Next is Amanda. She is the baby of the team…which I LOVE! Although she will turn 21 while we are on the race, she has such wisdom. She has a care-free and flexible spirit. She seems to bring joy to everyone she comes in contact with and her smile is absolutely heart warming! She has so much to give this team!!
I cannot wait to see how God uses her for the Kingdom!
Last but definitely NOT least is Sage. Who I fear may be partners-in-crime with Amanda (totally kidding…with all seriousness). She is a bubbly character filled with such intense joy you can’t help but be overwhelmed with joy around her. She might be a lil cray cray but in the best of ways and has a laugh that is oober contagious. She has a heart that is so concerned with others. I love her willingness to share and get serious when it comes down to business time.
I cannot wait to see how God uses her for the Kingdom!
Stay tuned….big things are about to happen!!
I would LOVE to hear from YOU.
Please shoot me an email or leave comments 🙂
