Fundraising. Wow, what a unique journey. I can’t say I enjoyed it all, but I can’t say I hated it, either. I began fundraising for the World Race in October of 2016, and after 11 months, I am so happy to say I am fully funded. I have spent dozens of hours preparing speeches, making uncomfortable phone calls, and following up with people about donating. (Possibly the most awkward part.) I have been told yes so many times, but I have been told no as well. A few donations I was counting on fell through, and in these times, it was easy to feel discouraged. I knew that if I wanted to go on the World Race, I would need to exit my comfort zone, but I didn’t want to leave it like that.
I worked hard, and the funds did not come easily. More than once I felt aggravation rise up inside me, and every time this happened, He would graciously remind me that everything is in His perfect timing, even if it didn’t seem perfect to me.
Fundraising, I think, is meant to be a gift. Sure, it can be tough, but we get to see Christ provide for us firsthand! More than once, however, I took this precious gift and ran with it – the fear of not having enough money would rise up and I would begin to panic. Eventually, I would remember that God is simply waiting for me to give it back to Him. I would give it back to Jesus, and almost immediately after, He would show me he actually enjoys gifting me with funds for this trip.
Fundraising was a crazy journey. I raised roughly $17,000 for this trip (That includes all of my gear I had to buy, a small amount of spending money per country, and the $15,000) and I am still in awe that He would provide for me in such a big way.
To every person that supported me: thank you. I know I’ve said it lots of times already, but I am so thankful. Every gift I have received have blessed me. Thank you for being on this journey with me – you have made a way for my biggest dream to come true!
Thank you…
Arnold’s
Baker’s
Bauman’s
Burns’s
Corlew’s
Chapman’s
Jones’s
Jacobs’s
Rea’s
Stewart’s
Holm’s
Jenkin’s
Mundell’s
Lindsey’s
Moody’s
Grimm’s
Guynn’s
White’s
Dempsey’s
Hamm’s
Roberts’s
Nichols’s
Stross’s
Ortiz’s
Conti’s
Reeder’s
Fagudo’s
Ellis’s
Lafler’s
Jones’s
Walker’s
Medley’s
Kreeger’s
Scherdell’s
Masters’s
Phipps’s
Hohnerlein’s
Barrentine’s
Ragle’s
Yerkey’s
Lazenby’s
Yelnick’s
Chaisson’s
Leonard’s
Goldsmith’s
Clark’s
McKinnon’s
Puckett’s
Moscatello’s
Sander’s
William’s
Collins’s
Hazelton’s
Adams’s
Allen’s
Stephen’s
MacMillen’s
Moody’s
Ritter’s
I know there are a few people I am forgetting, (I’m sorry!) but know that I’m so thankful for you. You are all my partners on this journey, and I can’t wait to tell you all about it!
