Our final deadline has passed, and I am not fully funded yet, BUT I will not stop fundraising. Please join me in prayer that the funds come in to help me stay out on the field. I know our God will do it. Throughout this past year, I have learned how powerful it is to be surrounded by a loving community. It’s because of you guys that I am who I am today and without y’all I wouldn’t have spent my 23rdbirthday in Ewatini, formally Swaziland. Thank you, everyone, for all the blessings, I can’t thank you enough. There is much more to come.
Another birthday has come and gone, and this one will be difficult to top.
In the days prior, I was asked how and what I wanted my birthday to look like. Which is a difficult question, because I’ve never been a huge birthday person and what can be better than spending the day in Eswatini with 40 brothers and sisters of Christ. It’s incredible to see what this past year has consisted of and to think of what year 23 will hold. I smile every time I think of all the greatness that God has blessed me with, and I can’t imagine what else my life holds.
It’s all squad month here is Eswatini and I am a part of the agriculture crew. We spend the morning in the community garden digging, fertilizing and planting squash seeds that’ll be used to provide for the low-income families in the area.
Following a refreshing shower, on my birthday, the 5 of us on the agriculture team went into town for a nice quality lunch.
I came back to such a warm welcome from all my squad mates. The night ended with some incredible cupcakes and gosh the entire squad spoke words of life and prophecy over me and I haven’t felt this loved in a long time. Year 22 was so kind to me and with that year 23 has already started off incredible.
In honor of 23 years, here are 23 words of wisdom that I have learned (as requested by my dear friend Abby).
23 years’ worth of wisdom.
- Don’t wear a watch unless you want a gnarly tan line
- Always ask elders for wisdom, they love telling you things
- Exercising is fun
- Never turn down food
- Be FAT. Flexible, adaptable, teachable.
- Always carry some type of toilet paper to wipe with
- Pictures may be worth a thousand words, but smiles are worth a million
- Strike conversations with people on the road, you’ll hear incredible stories or they’ll deny you in funny ways
- Look both ways before crossing the road, and then make a run for it
- Commitment isn’t that scary
- Say yes to things you’re scared of, but don’t be afraid to say no
- Change is a good thing, learn from it
- God meets you wherever you are
- Don’t be afraid to reach out to people you haven’t talked to in a while
- Things are cheaper overseas
- It is totally acceptable to sing or cry in the shower
- Never stop praying
- Take chances and challenge yourself
- Be authentic and honest with yourself and others.
- Don’t wait until tomorrow, start today
- The Bible is your best friend
- I am your best friend
- Drink more coffee
