Hi there stranger!
Well I certainly hope you wont be a stranger for long, and that through this blog you’ll get to know me better and join with me in this adventure of a lifetime!
My name is Brittany Lara (although I go by my maiden name Tobin), I’m 24 years old and live in western Colorado with my Siberian Husky (1 1/2 years old) named Shinobi. I am currently walking through the final stages of an unwanted divorce, but fret not because “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28).
I am a US Marine Corps Veteran, and actually this month has marked two years for me since I left active duty service and came back home. I was a Motor Vehicle Operator, Transportation Coordinator, Dispatcher and many other things during my time in the Marines. I have a passion for hiking, exploration and genuinely connecting with people.
I am currently in my second year at Colorado Christian University pursuing my Bachelors in Psychology. My long-term goal is to be a public speaker and advocate for victims of sexual abuse and trauma, and I’ve had some experience doing so when I was in the Marines. I know that the trials I have been through in my life have prepared me to be there for others, to understand the pain others experience and be there for them in a better and more helpful manner because of it.
I served 4 years in the USMC, 3.5 years of which I lived in Okinawa, Japan (2012-2016). I LOVE Japan! Someday I would like to go back and teach English to children. While I grew up in a Christian home, I didn’t make an authentic commitment to Christ and have my salvation experience until I was 20 and attending a tight-knit local church in Okinawa in September 2013. I received amazing mentoring, discipleship and support through that body of believers and they showed me what the Church was meant to be: that genuine faith could be lived out in the modern world and be genuine, loving and on fire for Christ. It was believers like those that helped awaken me to the calling God was putting on my heart to “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel.” (Mark 16:15)
God gave me a passion for travel, adventure and challenges. I also have a huge heart for people, and I know God is planning to use this World Race to draw me into His calling for my life. He has been working on me, in me and speaking into my life through the believers around me; I know this is my calling and God is planning big things for this race, would you join me and be a part of this amazing work and see what God is doing in his church (and my own life) over the next year (plus)?
I cannot wait to see what God has in store. Would you be a prayer partner with me in this journey, my friend?
In Christ,
Brittany
