Welcome to my first blog post! I’m still trying to figure this whole blog thing out, so bare with me. Lately, certain parts of my life involving faith have been on my heart and what better place to get all these thoughts out than my World Race blog.
Earlier this year, my mom was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. I remember sitting in the waiting room of the doctor’s office hoping and praying when my parents came back out, it’d be good news. But the second I saw my mom’s face, I knew it wasn’t. I didn’t realize then that the diagnosis wouldn’t be the worst part of this situation. A couple weeks later, after my mom had already begun chemotherapy, she asked me to brush her hair and try to get all of the fallen strands out so they wouldn’t be all over the house. Handfuls and handfuls of clumps of hair were in my hands and all I could do was cry. Seeing my mom, who I love endlessly, in pain and so weak is the worst part. Knowing that physically I can’t help her and I can’t cure the cancer is the worst part. Laying awake at night thinking about all the what-if’s is the worst part. And wanting to be there but not knowing exactly how, is the worst part. Basically what I’m trying to say, is that cancer and everything that comes with it just sucks. Well, all but one thing.
The amounit of support my family has received since the diagnosis has been overwhelming. All the breast cancer survivors telling us their story to ease our anxieties and the prayers of strength and endurance have been so, so helpful. Don’t get me wrong, cancer still sucks. I still cry over it and I still get scared, but more than ever, I have faith that my mom will come out at the end of this stronger than before. Most importantly, my mom has faith that she’ll get through this, as God will never leave her side.
Now, one thing anyone who knows me is aware of, I’m a professional overthinker. Always have been and probably always will be. And because of this, sometimes faith isn’t the easiest thing for me to have. Of course I want to believe things will work out and I’ll end up where I’m suppose to be, doing what God has intended for me to do, but my annoyingly over-analytical mind can’t always accept that. And one thing I never had ever considered was taking a year off school to go on a 9 month mission trip. In my head, my future had always gone: high school, college, medical school, doctor kicking butt in pediatrics. Precisely that, no ifs, ands, or buts.
I have an old friend currently on the World Race and I have been following her blog and social media posts for months now (Hi Ali! If you’re reading this miss you ily). This seed, this idea of me traveling around the world for 9 months serving the Lord and His people kept growing and growing until finally I had the guts to send in my application. I still wasn’t completely sure about this whole trip, but I told myself to just wait and see if I got accepted. If I did, it must be where God is leading me. And what do you know, here I am scrambling to get everything ready and prepared for Spetember when I launch.
In September, I will be leaving my friends, my family, my home, and my precious puppy Scooter, to live in Colombia, Ecuador, Cambodia, Thailand, and Albania over the course of 9 months. In each of these countries, my squad and I will be serving God’s people in any and every way they need us. Everything from prayers, to building churches, to helping out in orphanages, and anything in between. Living out of a pack (yes, just a backpack) in foreign countries where I don’t know the culture or language still kinda scares me. However, I have faith that this is what I am being called and led to do by the Lord, and that faith is all I need to run into this journey with open arms and take in everything the Lord has for me.
Now, here comes your part my dear reader. In order to go on this incredible trip, I must raise just short of $15,000. Please consider donating any amount, everything adds up and any donations are very much appreciated. You can donate directly from my blog by pressing that beautiful orange button that says “Donate!”. Prayers for myself and my squad as we embark on this journey are very much needed as well. I thank you so much for taking the time to read this.
With love,
Emily Lasiter
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” – Isaiah 43:2
