I am writing this while sitting on my flight from Phoenix to Atlanta, headed to World Race launch. I cannot believe this day has come. When I committed to World Race, it felt as if it was years away, and now it’s here. What the heck!! I will be in Atlanta for four days receiving some last-minute training before flying out to Johannesburg, South Africa on Monday! During the month of August, my team along with three other teams will be serving with Impact Africa, a nonprofit in Johannesburg. I will be posting updates weekly about the type of work I am doing and how Jesus is working in South Africa once I arrive! If you want to learn more about Impact Africa and the heart behind their mission, check out their website: www.impactafrica.org.
The main reason I wanted to write this blog is to express the deep gratitude I have been feeling this past month. Overwhelming love. That is the heart of who Jesus is and that is the heart of Christianity. This past month, I have really gotten a taste of how Jesus can present His overwhelming love through other people. July was a whirlwind month. I moved back from Texas to my hometown of Phoenix, which was extremely bittersweet. Texas was a transformative home for me in many ways, the biggest of which was the friendships I made. Luckily, I didn’t have to say a real goodbye to any of my best friends until later in July, since I got to see a couple of them while home in Phoenix while my Baylor friends came to visit me in Park City, Utah (where I spent the latter half of July). To my best friends and future bridesmaids: you know who you are and I love you so much. Thank you for the unconditional love, acceptance, and support each of you has shown me in my preparation for the World Race as well as in everyday life. I see Jesus in each of you and I know our friendships will last a lifetime. I don’t know what I did to deserve the Lord’s blessing with these friendships, but I promise to love each of you as He loves us to the best of my ability, even while I am gone these 11 months.
My family. My rock through everything. I have been blessed with a big, crazy (in the best way) family and I was lucky enough to get to see both sets of grandparents and all of my aunts, uncles, and cousins before I left. Every last one of them! And obviously, I was with my mom, dad, brother, and sister for all of July as well. I am so full of love for each member of my family right now.
To my dad: thank you for showing me what hard work and perseverance looks like. Thank you for giving me your high energy and sense of adventure. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have the sense of adventure and drive to go on this trip. Thank you for putting your heart and soul into being the absolute best dad for Scott, Cristina, and I. You have no idea how appreciated and loved you are.
To my mom: thank you for leading me in faith and towards Jesus from the beginning. Your faith walk has been an inspiration to me and I don’t know if I would know Jesus to the level I know Him today if it weren’t for your constant encouragement in faith. You are my best friend and biggest role model and I cannot imagine life with any other mom. Thank you for giving me your love for people and connecting and your servant’s heart. I wouldn’t be who I am without you.
Mom and Dad, your relationship has inspired me in so many ways, the biggest of which is what a marriage centered in Christ should look like. Because of you both, I know what I deserve in my future husband and know that I should never settle until I find a love like yours, and find a love that is centered on Jesus. Thank you for leading me and giving me this example, even when I have messed up (Which has been a lot).
To my brother Scott, you are truly one of the most inspiring people I know. I am so thankful I have a brother who likes to go on spontaneous adventures as much as I do, and our brother-sister trips are some of my favorite memories. Your love for God’s creation is so admirable, and even though you don’t know it, you’re going to go so far in life. You are more loved than you know and you are the funniest person I know without even trying. I cannot wait to see what the future brings you and will walk through it with you every step of the way.
To my sister Cristina, you’re going to KILL it senior year and I have full confidence that the Lord is going to lead you to the right college. I have truly never met someone who is as smart as you, and I am in awe everyday of how thoughtful and mature you are. Even though you’re my little sister, I look up to you so much. Your hard work and drive is going to pay off in life and it is something I aspire to. You are unashamedly yourself and one of the most accepting people I know. The world needs more of you.
To the rest of my family, I am so thankful I got to spend time with all of you before leaving. You have each had an impact on me and some of my favorite memories in life are our trips together and all of your weddings I have been blessed enough to attend. Every time I am with any of you, my heart is full and happy. I hope that you all know you are loved and appreciated by me but even more so by Jesus. Thank you for always supporting me and cheering me on, no matter how little we get to see each other.
I am overwhelmed with gratitude for all the Lord has blessed me with. I pray that the love I have been shown will be overflowing this year to my team, my squad, and the people I get to meet and serve all over the world. Jesus is so good, and every good thing I have had in life and will have this year is because of Him.
Love,
Nicole
