Hey Supporters!
It has been a crazy few months since I last posted a blog. I want to give y’all a few updates and be honest about how I’m feeling with this trip coming up so soon. I would like to start by tell you the amazing things that have happened these past few months.
I have had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with family and friends. This has been the absolute, hands-down, best thing God has blessed me with. I have gotten to have one-on-one time with both my parents. My brother went with me to my church this past Sunday and it very well could have been one of the best days out of these past few months. My sister and I lived alone together and got to spend quality time in the mornings before we both head off to work. Our lease ended late December so I haven’t seen much of her lately… but fret not; I will be living with her again in Africa for my first month.
I have seen the Lord move mountains! Not only in my own life, but in my teammates lives. I honestly thought the enemy would have a lesser advantage on me due to being fully funded… but I was so wrong. The enemy has attacked me like never before. Yet, I have felt an overwhelming sense of peace all because of Christ. I accepted the fact that not everything is in my control… most of you who know me, know I fill in blanks of the unknown. I have had to learn to seriously trust Him and understand what that even means.
Speaking of the enemy’s attacks, here are a few:
Because of our apartments lease being up… I have had to pack up a portion of my stuff and give the rest to good will. In doing this, I realized how much value I found in material things. I am one of the most sentimental people you will ever meet, so it was extremely hard letting go of most of it.
I went on a trip to NC to visit some family over the holidays and I knew we would have to immediately start packing when we got home because we had to be out of the apartment two days later. I had arranged plans for Skylar (my dog) to stay with a family friend during my trip to NC. They planned on keeping her until I got back from the world race. Everything seemed to be working smoothly… up until the night of Christmas. I got a text from the family that was taking care of my dog. She said Skylar attacked their other dog. Obviously they couldn’t keep her. I thought, “Okay. Breathe. Everything will work out. Minor set back. I will figure it out when I get home…. HOME. A home I will no longer have in a few days. There is no way I can find Skylar a new home before then.” This is when I knew… Satan was doing everything in his power to keep me in the United States. I did not just consider not leaving… I had decided that night I was not going to go on the World Race. BECAUSE OF AN ANIMAL. If that doesn’t tell you how satan manipulates… I don’t know what does. I have already made this story too long but to sum it up in the end… I prayed for God to do a miracle. A miracle that would allow me to see my dog again after the world race. I genuinely believed he would. He did not. It was out of my control. So when I got home, I picked Skylar up and took her to a shelter and surrendered her. That dog was my best friend. She was the one thing. I told God, “Moving really sucks and I don’t want to do it. Not because of the hassle but because of sacrificing most of what I have. But its okay, because I have my family, I have my dog and I have you. Thats all that matters.” That dog got me through high school. I believe God placed her in my life for that reason… so I would never feel alone. But I relied on her too much and not enough of God. I was tested… would I be able to sacrifice the one thing I loved most to do what God has called me to do? I am writing today to tell you yes. Yes I am. This blog post became so much longer than I expected and it was mainly about my dog. But I’m not sorry. As I am writing this with tears of sadness, I am also joyful. Because although I am sad, I am at peace. I believe I did everything in my power for my dog and if it were God’s will for me to keep her; he would have made a way. This is the most vulnerable I have been through these blogs. If you have read all the way through, thank you.
I promise I am almost done…
It has been a long ride that is not yet over. I have been on this journey with the world race for almost 2 years now. To think… the trip God intends for me to go on is 2 weeks away. Time has been going faster and faster. I am ready to meet my teammates! I am ready to serve alongside them! Pray with them. Worship with them. Even cry with them. Please keep THEM in your prayers as well. I have been blessed to announce being fully funded… some of them haven’t gotten that pleasure. So if any of you still feel lead to support another world racer… let me know! I will direct you to my team!
For now… I am packed and what I think to be ready. I am living with a friend right now until my last day of work which is this Saturday. I will celebrate my birthday with my mom on Monday and then head to Louisiana to spend time with my great- grandmother. I will head back the following Saturday and stay with my Pastor and his family until I fly out on the 23rd.
Thank y’all so much for everything you have done to support me!
Your favorite racer
Grace Googe <3
