Over the next year and a half, I will probably be writing a lot of blogs that start with “11 things…” so I thought I would start with one now after a month of living back at home. I officially moved back home at the beginning of July after two years in Mississippi and a month in Atlanta. It has been such a blessing to be able to spend time with my family and save money while preparing for launch. Besides living at home, I am also substituting with Rome City Schools and babysitting for a Winshape Homes family. Anyways, here are a few things I’ve been learning lately as I prepare for the next few months in Rome and 11 months in the developing world. Make sure to read all the way to the end for some exciting news!!!
1.We are ALL created in the image of Christ (Gen. 1:27) and are ALL in desperate need of God’s grace. I am so guilty of seeing myself as having my life all put together and making others believe that too. But when reality sinks in, I am just as much a sinner as every other person on this earth. I am a broken, miserable mess and even “when I want to do good, there is evil right there with me” (Romans 7:21). Every day, I have to remind myself:
“I am not okay; and you [meaning every person I interact with] are not okay.
BUT JESUS CAN FIX US BOTH.”
(From When Helping Hurts)
2. If I really want to have a relationship with someone, I have to listen more than I speak. I need to ask questions about what motivates and drives them. I want to learn what people are passionate about and what Jesus has called them to.
“Listening immensely is a far more valuable skill than speaking immensely.”
(From The Promise of a Pencil)
3. Faith means taking risks every single day. Hebrews 11 gives a pretty extensive list of people in the Bible who lived by faith and took risks, most of them involving their lives or the lives of their families: Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Ruth, Rahab, the disciples, Paul, and the list goes on. Living by faith means taking risks, both big and small, because JESUS IS WORTH IT.
4. Whether I am in a low-income community in the U.S. or in the slums of India, I want to go with the mentality that I am not bringing Jesus to those places because He has been at work there since the beginning of time! I want to discover and appreciate what God is already doing because He is the SUSTAINER of all things. (Hebrews 1:3)
5. I need to stop trying so hard and just rest in Him. I was hiking a few weeks ago and I was so concerned with watching the ground in front of me as I walked that I missed the beauty that was all around me. I do that in life too. I get so caught up in where I am going or the path God has lead me to that I forget to look up and see the beauty of right now and the opportunities around me every day.
6. God has given me a vision for the World Race through Hebrews 12:1-2.
“Let us THROW OFF everything that HINDERS and the SIN that so easily ENTANGLES; let us RUN with PERSEVERANCE the race marked out for us. LET US FIX OUR EYES ON JESUS“
At first glance the Race is primarily about loving and serving and being the hands and feet of Jesus to the least of these, but if you read just a few blogs of current racers, you realize it is much more. The race is going to be hard but in difficult times, we tend to cling to Jesus even more and through that comes growth.
These last few are more of some major blessings that have had a huge impact on me these past few weeks.
7. I have been so richly blessed by the family and friends God has given me. Since making the decision to go on the Race, I have experienced so much support and encouragement from everyone I have met. Some of my squadmates have faced a lot more push back and doubt from those they have talked to and some have been questioning their decision.
8. With that being said, I also want to shout out my incredible SQUAD!! I am already in love with P SQUAD and their encouragement and prayers. We have been bonding over Facebook (and sometimes in person) and I am so pumped to meet all of them in October and to do life with my new family for 11 months starting in January!
9. This season of life is proving to be just what I needed prior to launch. I am able to work (more than one job!) but still be flexible. This flexibility gives me the opportunity to spend time with friends and family and focus on preparing for launch like getting all of my gear and fundraising. I wasn’t sure how I would feel about coming back to Rome after being on my own for two and a half years but I love it and am SO thankful for this opportunity.
10. I was asked the other day if I had plans to stay in Rome after the Race. My response has been consistent since I was accepted:
“I am not making any plans for after the Race because I know there is a lot the Lord has to show and teach me in each of the 11 countries I will be in.”
One thing has changed though. While subbing the past two weeks, I have realized that if I was to stay in Rome after the Race, I would LOVE to teach at Elm Street or West Central Elementary. Both of these schools have awesome leaders that are passionate about the kids. When I left Mississippi, I was honestly burnt out as a teacher and slightly disappointed in the education system. Being at Elm Street and West Central though, has reminded me of why I wanted to teach and has made me hopeful for the possibilities that are ahead. I am still not planning for after the race but teaching in Rome will be included on a non-existent list of options.
And now for my exciting news:
11. I am officially 50% FUNDED and have met my second fundraising deadline which means I CAN LAUNCH IN JANUARY!!! Thank you to EVERYONE who has helped get me to this point. I’ve learned from squadmates and other racers that getting to 50% to FULLY FUNDED is usually the hardest part so please be praying for me as I am going to have to be a lot more INTENTIONAL and PURPOSEFUL to get to fully funded.
If the Lord leads you to support me financially, the easiest way is by clicking the “SUPPORT ME” link at the top of the page or the tab on the left side of the blog.
I am also still selling t-shirts and plans are underway for a pancake breakfast to benefit my trip so be on the lookout for details about that.
Some people have asked me about how they could give to me directly rather than through AIM (although these donations will not be tax deductible). I have created a gear registry to get some of the last pieces of gear I need. There is also a “cash fund” on the registry that will go towards my vaccinations. To view or purchase one of the items on my registry, click here.
I am excited to continue sharing with each of you about what the Lord is teaching me. I am so grateful for this opportunity and that you are journeying with me!
