Lesotho. Swaziland. South Africa. Vietnam. Cambodia. Thailand. Nicaragua. Costa Rica. Jamaica. Haiti. Dominican Republic.
This is so surreal. It is actually happening! Two semesters ago, I stumbled across the World Race and was immediately captivated. I wanted to jump on a plane then and there, but I knew that my season of preparation was not over. Now here I am writing my first blog post as a world racer, and I cannot help but laugh. How crazy that the God who created the Heavens and Earth has chosen me to go and make Him famous. I am so thankful that He has laid out this path for me, and I cannot begin to tell you how thankful I am to share this journey with each of you.
So a Little About Me
Hi, my name is Madison Goodwin and I am a World Racer! I will blog on this site from now until the time I finish my race in June 2017. I would love for each of you to subscribe to this blog and keep up with my journey!
- First and foremost, I gave my life entirely to the Lord on February 27, 2013. I grew up in church and have always recognized God’s existence, but it was not until 3 years ago that I actually understood what a relationship with God looked like. The Lord immersed me with His grace and mercy and continues to do so daily!
- I am from Cullman, Alabama and I am a senior at Auburn University, War Eagle! I will graduate in May 2016 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work. I have a huge heart for people and a desire to help all kinds of people with all kinds of backgrounds and stories.
- I am 23 and the oldest of four children. My sister, Bree, is 22 and currently on staff at one of our generation’s greatest churches (Desperation Church). Maison is 19 and spends his free time playing baseball at Wallace State while my youngest brother, Gage, is 18 and is a basketball stud and my last sibling in high school. My siblings are three of my very best friends, and without them I would not be who I am today.
- My family (all the way from my parents to my grandparents to my uncles, aunts, cousins, and stepsiblings) is the greatest family. I am convinced that the Lord blessed me with the most amazing group of humans that He could have ever formed. Thank you to each of you for all your love and support and for the way you all love the Lord so well.
- While I’m bragging, I have to say that my best friends are like no others. They are my support systems, my greatest encouragers, and my brothers and my sisters. Each of them has impacted me in so many ways.
- One of my favorite places on earth is Camp Ozark (Go Big Blue). I was a camp counselor and ropes instructor there for two summers, and it is truly an organization that has shaped my walk with the Lord. I love all things camp and all things Osage.
- My love language is quality time, hazelnut coffee, Sonic slush happy hour, really bad puns, flannels, and chapstick.
- My Meyers/Briggs is ESFJ
- One of my greatest strengths is my spiritual gift of mercy. This gift has allowed me to love and accept people without regard to their ‘mistakes’ or their pasts. I am thankful for God’s mercy and I am thankful He allows me to give it out so freely to others.
- In return, one of my greatest weaknesses is my decision-making skills. If possible, I always want someone else to make decisions (whenever we are going to eat, to watch a movie, etc.). With graduation approaching I have been given several different options after May (grad school, job opportunities, and internships). I had no clue which one to pursue. When I found the World Race almost a year ago, I did not even believe it was an option. This summer The Lord brought it back into the picture, and after a lot of prayer I decided to pursue it. This was one of the biggest decisions that I have made, and I could not have made it without the hand of my Heavenly Father.
- To my squad: I am soooo excited to meet you! I am praying for you and so looking forward to meeting you! I am so excited to begin this journey with each of you and I know that the Lord has placed each of us together for specific reasons.
- I believe that the eleven months (August 2016-June 2017) that I am giving to the Lord will change my life in ways that I cannot imagine. I am so excited (and also nervous) for what is in store. I cannot begin to express my gratitude for each of you that will help me in this journey through prayer and giving. So with all of that said, let’s do this.
Matthew 28:18-20
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
If you are interested in supporting me in anyway whether through encouragement, prayer, or financial support please do not hesitate to contact me by phone, email, Facebook or the SUPPORT ME BAR at the top of this Blog! I can’t wait to see how God provides and uses the relationships that are currently changing my life. I would love it if you joined in on the best year of my life so far!
