Hola amigos.
I have been slacking at blogging. Life has been busy. Like really busy. As always. But the past two weeks I have finally had a chance to catch my breath. So here is an update with thoughts on all of this World Race prep and some random stories of how I’ve been encouraged by strangers and non-strangers.
This past week, I was stabbed with a needle in the fleshy part of my left tricep. AKA: I got my yellow fever vaccination. Fun times! I am also in the process of taking care of some other vaccinations and getting meds to take along (typhoid, anti-malaria meds, etc.)
I am beginning to accumulate some gear which makes this whole thing seem more real. So far, I have my backpack, tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad thingy, a rather uncomfortable travel pillow (which will be returned and replaced with a comfortable one), and the true MVP of all of my gear – my rockstar head lamp. YES. Apparently these are all the rage on the WR. And mine will shine bright, literally and metaphorically. HA. Anyway, I tested some of it out the other night in my living room. It was storming outside so I didn’t pitch my tent yet, but there was a really large bug on the ceiling and we don’t have air conditioning so I figured it’s basically the same thing. My grandparents bought me all of this stuff and I am eternally grateful for their love and support. Also, my Aunt Donna bought me a fresh pair of custom Chacos that I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of via UPS.
My friends Tom and Cynthia bought me a lovely little travel guitar so that I can keep writing and worshiping and singing my heart out all over the place. My sweet friend Annie painted the most beautiful flowers on it and it is perfect. I named the guitar Charlotte just because I like the name Charlotte. Also, there is a little gnat (you know, a little insect) that must have been chilling out on Charlotte before she had the clear “finish” put on her. He’s just sticking there – adding a little extra character I suppose. I don’t have a name for him yet, but I’m open to suggestions so let me know if you have something good.
I am counting down the days until training camp. I am beyond excited to meet my squad and the people that I will get to do life with for the next year. Oh, it’s going to be so SO GOOD. However, the past few days I have been feeling a little overwhelmed (which is out of character for me) by all of this excitement, preparation, and preparing my heart for a season of growth that I can’t even fathom yet. Please keep me in your prayers with this!
I have been so humbled and encouraged the past few months by friends, family, and strangers supporting me financially and prayerfully. I have SO many stories I could share, but this is one of my favorites:
As many of you know I am server at a local restaurant. I love the people I work with and I love the interesting customers that I have to opportunity to serve. (I feel like I’m always meeting the coolest people.) However, a few months back, I was struggling with the season I was in: I had graduated college in December and “waitressing” just did not feel like the glorious dream job I had envisioned for myself after having a degree. But I knew it was the best way for me to save money for the WR. One morning on my way to work, I was telling God about how I just wasn’t sure if i was in the “right place” for this season of life or if I had made the right decision. (I had passed up an opportunity to worship intern at a church in Pittsburgh.) I told him that waitressing wasn’t really “my thing” and I wanted to do something more exciting. I asked him to speak to me in a unique way to remind me that I was in the right place for now, for this season. No response.
I went throughout my shift – nothing too exciting, nothing out of the ordinary. Another chill day in Hoss’ land. My last table of the shift was a group of kind souls. But I just really wanted to get home and get on with my evening. I waited for them to finish eating their meals so I could clean up and leave. As I was finishing cleaning up the rest of the tables around them, one lady at the table motioned for me to come over. So I did. She handed me a small key pendant and said “It’s a destiny key. I hand them out sometimes.” WHAT? A destiny key. She literally called it a destiny key. She then proceeded to ask me if her table could pray for me. I was shocked. So I told them about the conversation I had with God that morning. And about the World Race. And about this “season of life.” And they told me that I was serving a table of missionaries.
They prayed prophetic words over me that I was so encouraged by.. right there in the restaurant. I was overwhelmed by peace. This is it: clarification that I am in the right place for this time. Wow, God is good.
Since then, there have been multiple people who have given me extra “tip” money toward this mission. All for God’s Kingdom. Man, I am humbled and so thankful for this job to serve people right here in Bedford. And to see them feel moved to support what God is doing all over the world.
So that’s a little update. I also want to give a huge shoutout to my friends and family who let me verbally process this upcoming adventure over and over again. Thanks for letting me talk your ears off. Y’all are the best.
I am still am about $4,500 from being fully funded. But I am fully trusting that God is stirring hearts to help me reach that goal. If you feel led, you can financially support me by clicking the orange “donate” button at the top of my blog.
Please keep ya homegirl in your prayers. This is a straight up journey. This preparation season has been a journey thus far. The next few months of more preparing my heart will be a journey. And the coming months will be the biggest adventure of my life. The emotions are starting to get all too real.
But hey, that’s pretty much all I have for this 60 second update. (Plus a few more seconds if you’re a slow reader). Peace out boy/girl scouts.
