Hey!
Welcome friends, family, and everyone who has stumbled their way onto my blog! I’m so glad you’re here!! This is about to be a whole wild, crazy adventure and I’m mega excited to be stepping into this with y’all. More than I can really explain, and I am especially glad to be able to share some good news with you in light of all the chaos in our current world.
In all honesty I’ve been putting off writing this blog post. I am a master procrastinator, and I really mean master. I know, I know, it’s very impressive that I can do everything else besides the work that really needs to get done, but you can hold your applause. If school has taught me anything it’s that I can get away with leaving absolutely everything until the last minute. Actually though I guess in a way this just really feels like the first step of something huge and kind of terrifying (plus I don’t really have a set deadline because this isn’t school). Also the timing just kind of feels really weird to me, but I know that God is just calling me to show up and not worry about all aspects of this being perfect. The world is bonkers right now, but God is bigger than everything going on. So here I am continuing to say yes.
So what is World Race Gap Year anyway? Basically instead of going to university next fall I’ve decided to travel around the world to serve others and share the love of God. I’ll be leaving with a group of teammates, called a squad, and together our little community will be partnering to meet people where they are and love them well! That’ll look a little different everyday, but we could/will be doing things like teaching English in schools, playing soccer, working on construction, praying with people, and I’m sure much more. Our outreach will consist of many things and I look forward to telling you all about it when I’m in the field with my squad!
Okay so I should probably also get into the why of this adventure as well. That part of the story really extends back into at least last year (and arguably much further than I understand fully as of right now). At the beginning of last summer I spent a few weeks serving at camp, and that time was SO good. I really cannot explain the feeling of serving Jesus and spending time in a community of people who also love Jesus. When your heart becomes aligned with those two things life becomes radically different and I don’t know how else to explain it besides by saying that my heart felt full. SO SO full. Like an abounding, overflowing kind of love that only God can provide. Best feeling. Before that I had already been feeling like God wasn’t pointing me towards college right after high school, but my fear of the unknown was triumphing over that distant call of Jesus. During this time Jesus kept coming after me. Like geeeez He can seriously be relentless sometimes (or all the time when He has something good in store for you). In moments of worship and with close friends God was overwhelming me, in the best kind of way, and I could no longer try and fight it because he kept leading me back to the race.
So I surrendered and finally committed to the race. Okay well not right away because I still didn’t feel ready, but a few months later I finally did sign up. It took a little more pestering from God and quite a bit of encouragement from all the people around me who love me. I really did try and run, but I mean I guess God just really really wanted me to run in this race instead. Knowing something is right and actually following up with that thing are two very different ideas that I am still working to discern. Again I usually get stuck waiting for the train at procrastination station. But anywhos here I am! I’m showing up and that’s more than enough for God. I’m beyond stoked to grow, learn and serve in community with this coming season!!
So until our launch in September I’ll be over here in quarantine praising and singing with God in anticipation and alllll the feelings. Mostly excitement, but also a lot of other stuff because we are living through something crazy right now. Catch me singing all the Jesus songs and trying to prepare my heart though. I’ll just be over here dancing alone in my room! Obeying God is difficult, but what could possibly be more worthwhile? I’m so thankful I get to serve such a compassionate, loving father. He gave it all for me and I can’t wait to strive and give it my all in His name! Choosing to do life with God is the best and I’m thrilled to be able to share that and build the kingdom.
Y’all I am overjoyed that you’re here reading and sharing some of life with me. All your prayer and support is super duper appreciated. If you can/want to support me financially I fully invite you to partner with me, and there is a link attached in my profile for that (I’m sure I will also write a blog post about fundraising as well). My heart is swelling just thinking about people coming alongside me in this season! I have much more to share here so I invite you to follow along with my blog posts if you want to continue in this adventure with me. Thank you for all the love and support!!!
