Today is the halfway point of my race!!
Halfway home.
Halfway back to amazing sushi.
Halfway back to a real bed.
Halfway through my transformation.
Halfway through the healing this year.
Halfway through my time with these incredible people.
Halfway through experiences that are leaving me forever changed.
Talking to friends back home they would say “it feels like you’ve been gone forever” and I would reply that it wasn’t even halfway. Yet. That point is gone now There is less of my race to go than I have been through at this point. To me, the race has flown by and I feel like I’ve been on the field for a mere two months. But an INCREDIBLE two months!!
I have grown in intimacy with the people on my squad. I have grown immensely in vulnerability and authenticity. I have slowly but surely grown in confidence and strength. I have grown in how to love others unconditionally and how to support those around me during difficult times. I have learned how to lean on the Father more and to trust Him in every situation. I have grown in my knowledge of the Lord and my trust for His plan for my life. I am a new creation and I can’t wait to see who I am in another 5.5 months.
This is a year of ministry, growth, discipleship and healing. It’s everything and nothing like I imagined it to be. There are days much harder than I wanted to face but days much brighter than I ever imagine. Not only am I getting to experience love from the Father in an incredible new way but I am also receiving love from people in a whole new way. Both my squad mates and strangers alike.
I am halfway through my journey and just over the halfway mark in fundraising. If you can contribute any amount for this trip to keep me on the field it would be so appreciated! The lord has been good to me and I am trusting that He will bring in the remaining funds in the ways only He can.
There is a sermon I heard YEARS ago that has always stuck with me. Mark 4:35-39 “That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.”
The thing about this is that the sea was calm when they got in and then when they were in the middle of the lake a storm suddenly overtook them. The message I learned that day was that the enemy fights you the hardest when you are closer to your destination. When you are halfway there, he is going to fight you. Because he knows once you cross the halfway point, you are closer to your end goal than your starting point.
When the enemy is fighting against you and bringing storms stand firm because it means you are on the right track. Is there trials and triibulations in your life right now? Good. You are pursing the Lord and He will quiet the sea for you when it’s time. He already said, “Let us go over…” He has every intention of making sure you make it.
Love you all, miss you! See you soon
Ashley
