First of all…
Yikes.
Me + Blogging = Fail.
[Second of all – For those of you who know me well and instantly thought that I filled my gas tank with diesel fuel or my engine coolant with washer fluid or took a wrong turn down a one-way again when you read the title of my blog – breathe easy, the silver knight rides on. This blog is completely unrelated to my un-mastery of all things car.]
My blog and I seriously need to work on our relationship. It's been real rocky lately (and by lately I mean ever since I started). The thing is, I've never been much of a in-your-face-here-is-my-life kind of person, so it's somewhat unnatural for me to think about setting aside time to hash it out with the keyboard for a good chunk of time (Unless, of course, we're talking Facebook 
That, I'm good at.) However, I realize that that is the furthest from the purpose of this blog so I am focusing on nixing that mindset and really keeping all of you who have supported me thus far in the journey a little more in the loop.
I truly cannot thank you all enough for the amount of support that you have shown me the last couple of months. If you don't know me and you just happen to be reading this blog (because you, too, want to go on the race) hear me when I say the Lord provides support in the craziest of ways. I have been overwhelmed and so grateful for all of the encouragement.
I was driving in my car the other day (and by other day I mean a couple hours ago..) and a song came on the radio that brought me right back to the moment I decided that I was going to take the plunge and sign up for the race. I remember when it was, where I was going, and exactly what feelings I had in that moment as I listened to the lyrics of a familiar song. For some reason that day, they pulled my heart strings a little harder.
In my own little world it hardly ever rains
I’ve never gone hungry, always felt safe
I got some money in my pocket, shoes on my feet
In my own little world
Population me
***
Father break my heart for what breaks yours
Give me open hands and open doors
Put Your light in my eyes and let me see
That my own little world is not about me
I remember the conviction I felt as I listened to the song in my car that day. The amount of time I spend lost in my own little world is alarming when I stop and think about it. It's not about me. It's never been about me, and it never will. I am continuously learning this lesson and fervently praying for the grace I need to pick up my cross daily and follow Jesus. I know that I am messy and still have a lot of ridding of self to do, but I pray that in these last two months of preparation that God will put His light in my eyes and fire in my heart in ever-increasing amounts. I pray that I will stop living in my own little world and instead have eyes to see the way that is narrow and leads to eternal life with God.
So, real quick (never believe me when I say that), I'm going to actually get to the reason I initially started writing this blog. I have a route update for you all that I am excited to share! Last week my squad was told that the numbers between the four routes that leave in September were quite uneven. Six of us would need to switch to a different route. I quickly disregarded the email and thought – "well, that's not me," before immediately realizing that maybe it was me. Shoot. I loved the beautiful people on the V squad that I got to know a little bit over the last couple months – I will miss you all! But, I've decided to embrace change and this is only the first of many that will come over the next year. (Some will just be a little more anticipated, like, sharp stomach pangs from unfamiliar foreign foods that will result in…well, we won't go there..). I cannot believe I just said typed that. It is what it is, people.
I ask for prayers for these new countries and for my new team, the W squad. I will be getting to meet everyone on my team in just two short weeks when we meet for a week at training camp in Georgia. My, how time flies.
Without further adieu, here are the places I will be going to on my new route:
Guatemala
Nicaragua
Costa Rica
Thailand
Cambodia
Malaysia
India
Nepal
Mozambique
Swaziland
South Africa
“We will not wish we had made more money, acquired more stuff, lived more comfortably, taken more vacations, watched more television, pursued greater retirement, or been more successful in the eyes of this world. Instead, we will wish we had given more of ourselves to living for the day when every nation, tribe, people, and language will bow around the throne and sing the praises of the Savior who delights in radical obedience and the God who deserves eternal worship.”
David Platt, Radical
If God lays it on your heart to help send me out by supporting me financially, click "Support Me" on the left to make a tax-deductible donation online. Or, cut out the 3% online processing fee by writing a check to "Adventures in Missions" with "SCHUETTJESSICA" in the info line and mailing it to:
Adventures in Missions
PO Box 534470
Atlanta, GA 30353-4470
