I haven’t written a blog since training camp and that wasn’t for any reason in particular. The day- to day flew by exceedingly fast from finishing my last few shifts at Starbucks, to packing up all my things and heading back to Wisconsin to spend time with my parents. I feel like I’ve barely blinked and all of a sudden I fly home to Georgia tomorrow and training for Alumni team leading starts Sunday. I’ll be reunited with my fellow co-leaders and we will meet W squad in Atlanta a few days later to launch to Guatemala. This crazy, impactful life that I am privileged to live sure does fly by fast and I’m trying to soak in every minute I get.
P.s. I have no idea where this blog is going but I am going to share my heart- why I do the things I do and why I think it all matters. As I externally process we will see where this goes.
So why did I quit a job I loved, leave a community that was a joy and privilege to be a part of and a city that is near and dear to my heart? Because I believe for this season that the Lord has something better in store for me. Not that He can’t and wasn’t using me in Gainesville, but that He could better use me somewhere else this fall. I am not going to lie- this season of team leading hasn’t been easy, and the yes wasn’t an easy one to choose. I have had to say no to a lot of beautiful things I wanted and obey the Lord’s call because I trust Him. I know His character. He is gracious and kind and wants the best for me. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again- when I committed to team leading in April I told the Father to put me anywhere He wanted. That I was willing to lay down myself so that He would be glorified through me. And so with that came changes that were hard for me to swallow. Being moved to a new squad days before camp started and having to trust that the Father was placing me where He wanted me to be- where I needed to be. It feels like a season of fasting- giving up something good in order to gain something better. Deeper trust and intimacy with the Father.
I’ve learned that leading in any capacity really isn’t glorious at all- It looks like taking the fall when hardships arise. It looks like holding responsibility and setting high standards even when that isn’t the most popular opinion. It looks like lots of grace and feedback for yourself and others. You fail- over and over- and you get to choose to see that as an opportunity or something to hold you back. It looks like serving, listening, and putting others before yourself over and over. And that my friends isn’t always easy to do. It’s hard and it takes grit and it’s also so rewarding. You also get to be an advocate, a support, a friend. You get to encourage and fight for people in such a beautiful way. To come alongside them and be a shoulder to lean on. Someone to cry with. A space of safety and vulnerability and creativity. Someone to stack stones with and say, “ See where you started? Look and remember all of what the Father has done!”.
I have the privilege ( and I mean that- it really is a privilege) to walk alongside 42 men and women of God and cheer for them the next nine months- on and off the field. To point them back to the father and show then just how worthy they are to be called a son and daughter. THAT is worth it. That is discipleship.
And so with that said- I am beyond pumped that training starts in a week. My leadership team is incredible and I cannot believe I get to lead by their sides. They draw me closer to the heart of the Father and inspire me so much. I am ready for what is next and I am ready to get this thing going. We will be headed to Guatemala the second week of September so I would appreciate all of your prayers for safe travels and open hearts. I told my team this and it really is true- the World Race is just a program and it won’t change your life. You have to let the Father use you and transform you and be an open space for Him. Then, and only then can HE change your life. So pray for open hands and hearts and that transition into life in Guatemala will be smooth. I’ll be making more updates once we get settled into ministry there! As always, thanks for the read and the support- I cannot do this without you.
