Testimonies, words, perspectives, thoughts…
All four of these are powerful. It is interesting to hear people’s thoughts, perspectives, and testimonies the past few days at debrief. Debrief is where the whole squad gets together in a country to discuss, process and participate in fellowship and worship- being the church together. This month we are in Romania! 🙂
When one speaks what is on their mind, whether to an individual or to a group, it gives light. Words have the potential to help someone who is struggling with something similar. Writing a blog, being vulnerable, allowing the world to see what is going on in my head, is a scary thing. But hopefully, it will help someone who is going through the same thing or struggling.
My blogs this year maybe messy and not articulated in the best manner, but I promise they will come from the heart, they will be real and raw from my experiences that are happening in my life this year.
Month 1
Some words to describe my first month: life-bearing, honoring, relationships, kindness, generosity, love, humbling, motivating, introspective, hard, emotional, comforting, servanthood, community, joy, beauty.
This month has been a lot. Before coming on the race, I would seek past racers and read all the blogs to help prepare me for this next year on the race. With the advice I was given, I would think to myself, “Not me, I can bring whatever I want on the race.” Little to my knowledge that shipping overseas is so expensive ($250 USD expensive to be exact) and my bag weighs as much as a small child! I have completely changed my life for the next year.
The race has been challenging but also so rewarding in the past month. It has been hard to be away from family and friends, yet so fulfilling forming a new family (Team Vathos and our Ukrainian Family from Salvation Church).
I no longer have a place to call home in The States. I’m learning that ‘home’ is not about a specific place, but whom you share life with.
I can no longer place my identity in my profession – being a teacher. I am ministering to others and forming relationships with people I would not have the chance to meet other than being on the Race.
A lot has been stripped from me this first month. This is the first time in my life where I feel like I have lost my identity. But it is so freeing to know that I get to make the choice for the next steps in my life, which will hopefully form habits, thoughts, and life decisions that will alter the trajectory of my life! For that, I am eternally grateful!
Cheers – to the next year of learning, growing, shedding old for new, trusting and loving myself and others to the best of my ability.
As always, I invite you to make my journey, your journey. Here are three simple ways:
- The most important, PRAY.
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