If you to help support me financially, thank you! I am fully funded- however, my SQUAD is not!! Please donate to these lovely people instead!!
Madison: https://madisonwelton.theworldrace.org/?_ga=2.95020508.1705031216.1572600680-146664701.1572600680
Natasha: https://natasharaines.theworldrace.org/?_ga=2.160599421.1705031216.1572600680-146664701.1572600680
Hanna: https://hannawilson.theworldrace.org/?_ga=2.160599421.1705031216.1572600680-146664701.1572600680
Izac: https://izacgrooms.theworldrace.org/?_ga=2.160599421.1705031216.1572600680-146664701.1572600680
Jesse: https://jessesrader.theworldrace.org/?_ga=2.99270878.1705031216.1572600680-146664701.1572600680
Kylee: https://kyleehernandez.theworldrace.org/?_ga=2.99270878.1705031216.1572600680-146664701.1572600680
Katelyn: https://katelynjackson.theworldrace.org/?_ga=2.99270878.1705031216.1572600680-146664701.1572600680
Lily: https://lilyhambrick.theworldrace.org/?_ga=2.161727612.1705031216.1572600680-146664701.1572600680
Avery: https://averymumm.theworldrace.org/?_ga=2.161727612.1705031216.1572600680-146664701.1572600680
Heather: https://heatherstewart.theworldrace.org/?_ga=2.99271134.1705031216.1572600680-146664701.1572600680
I’m back from the first debrief- a week of no ministry, instead going to a hotel nearby. We relaxed and rejuvenating ourselves with God’s Word. We had sessions and got to hang out at the pool and do whatever we wanted, within World Race boundaries.
I learned a lot during that time. Here’s the five things God had blessed and showed me!
1. I had an amazing adventure day. For last week’s adventure day, I was determined that I was going to actually get up, and do something- instead of lying in bed reading. And I did! I was literally moving all day. In the morning, I went with Claire, Alyson, and some of the boys to a waterfall which we climbed up and swam in. And I saw CATS!!
I really miss my little furballs at home (I’ll post a picture soon), and God must have picked up on that because there were so many at the waterfall! Anyways, we left and headed back to the hotel, just in time for dinner! Our group split up.
Claire, Sam, Alyson, and I walked forty minutes to a pizza parlor, and it was so worth it. It was right behind a hotel, and we had to walk through the hotel’s courtyard to get to it. The prices were just right – 89 baht or about three dollars, for a personal-sized pizza. Me, being me, chose a ham and crabstick pizza. It was delicious 😉
We also walked to the hotel afterwards, and then Alyson initiated a game of Sardines, which I actually had enough energy and willpower to join! It was an absolutely delightful day, full of exercise, fun conversations, and overall enjoyment!
2. God’s little blessing right now, is cats! I love cats. I have three furballs at home in the States- Lizzie, Socks, and Inca. I’ll post pictures later. There were so, many, cats at the waterfalls. At least eight or nine! Before going to the waterfalls, I had only seen about four or five in the month and a half Had lived in Thailand!
Ever since that day, I have seen two or more cats, every day. Every day! Thank you Lord for sending me these beautiful furballs!!
3. I had so many awesome conversations. Most nights, I tagged along with the 7-11 group; everyone who went to 7-11 right before curfew. Along the way or when we got back to the hotel, I conversed with different people in my squad, and all of them were amazing.
One of them was a fantastic talk with Noelle and disabilities. I explained how I thought I had hidden behind a mask of transparency that I didn’t even know was there. I talked about the issues I had resolved in my past, but never about my present issues. She then completely shook up my world.
It wasn’t a matter of transparency. It was a matter of vulnerability, which she then explained. Afterwards, I thanked her with thoughts whirling in my head of what she had said. And what would I know? The session the next day, was about the very same thing.
4. I learned the difference between a scar and a wound. A scar, by dictionary definition, is “a mark left on the skin after a surface injury or wound has healed.” A wound, by dictionary definition, is “an injury to an organism, especially one in which the skin or another external surface is torn, pierced, cut, or otherwise broken.”
A scar is something from one’s past that they’ve accepted has happened, and moved on from. For example, I have had many issues in the past and present with living with my disabilities. However, I’ve accepted those problems and can now speak up about them. On the other hand, an open wound is a problem that one is still tackling, or may not even know about. I still feel like a burden sometimes. I sometimes feel like I’m ignored. But I’m tackling those problems, so the wound is closing. Bit by bit, I’m healing.
5. He told me He loved me. Yes yes, it may seem like a small thing. Of course God loves me. But there’s such a greater impact this time.
We were going to have a session. Instead, our Squad Leader, Megan, told us God had switched it to a worship. We were all happy, since it was the afternoon and pretty much all of us were tired.
But it wasn’t just a worship session. It was a healing session. People shared their testimonies, the ways God had actively worked in their lives during debrief. Then we were praying over the people next to us.
I prayed over my squadmate Ruby, and my team leader, Katie, prayed over us both. She then turned to me, and said that God loved me. He loved the width of love I had for His children, and how much more His love is for us and for me. And I didn’t have to be everything for everyone, because He already was.
A weight lifted off my shoulders. I didn’t know how much I had needed to hear that. I do tend to adopt ‘roles’ depending on who I hang with – usually ‘teacher’ or ‘listener’, though I’m sure there’s more. I didn’t realize that I did that. But God said I don’t have to do that. I just have to be me.
And guess what? That applies to every single one of you too. God blesses all of us in little ways- look for what He’s doing in your life! God meets you where you are, you don’t have to take on any role or strive to be better to meet Him.
He wants to meet you, where you are, right now.
After that, my happiness has been going all over the place a bit. I need to fall into the Lord’s arms and just rest in His love, not try to find happiness in earthly things. Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done. But I’ve been focusing on Him, and He’s helping me so much.
Awash in His goodness,
Cheyenne
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” ~John 3:16, NIV
