This is really happening.
My family and I are two hours away from Washington, D.C. where tomorrow I will begin the World Race. After months and months of conversations with friends and family, letters to supporters, fundraising escapades, numerous trips to REI, Great Outdoor, and Target, here we are.
So many of you have played a part. Encouraging conversations, continuous prayers, financial support, and non-monetary donations, leveraging your skills, time, and hard work to get me to this place. I am so thankful for you. Throughout the next year, I desire to honor and support each of you by drawing you into my experiences and letting the redemptive work of Jesus change us together.
God has been so good to my family and I the past couple days. I was worried we would be so paralyzed by fear and anxiety, that wouldn't even be able to enjoy our time together. So many times in the past, before a big event or life transition, we have tried our best to act "normal" and ignore the elephant in the room, but usually end up submitting to the looming presence of anxiety before too long.
Not this time.
God heard our prayers and He responded. He knew what we needed, He knew what we could handle and He has dealt so gently with our hearts. To those who have prayed for my family and I to experience peace, comfort, confirmation, laughter, joy, and deep love these last few days, thank you so much. Your prayers have been answered time and time again.
This past week, a verse from Paul's letter to the Phillipians has reached a new level of fullness in my own life.
"Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ."
Here a promise is made. A promise I have spoken to myself and spoken to others numerous times. God says let your requests be made known to me and my peace which surpasses all understanding will guard your heart and mind.
The past week I have been walking in a peace that surpasses all understanding.
It literally doesn't make sense.
No one would have guessed, not even myself, that I would be this calm right before the World Race. For those of you who don't know, I am the girl who never liked spending the night away from home even in high school (I know, go ahead and laugh). I am the girl who physically made herself sick, days before leaving for college. I am the girl who sobbed outside my dorm for the next two months and had to go see a counselor for years in order to properly transition from home life to college life. I am the girl who, just two years ago, was filled with anxiety all throughout my six week trip to East Asia.
But then I am reminded, those things do not define me any longer. Those experiences and emotions, no longer have the final word in my life. Since giving control to Jesus and relenting myself to the One who is Peace Himself, I can rest. It is not up to me to conjure up boldness and strength on my own. No, my Father is the King and loves giving His daughter good gifts. He knows just what I need and knows how much I can handle. He longs to show me tenderness and compassion, and shower my heart with peace. This makes me love Jesus more and more.
One more thing. Even as I was typing these verses a minute ago, I was reminded that this just isn't any peace, but this is the peace of God. This is peace that comes from His presence, it's a result of His sovereignty, protection, love and provision. Because of who God is, peace abounds. Peace radiates from God.
When you are with Jesus, no matter the circumstances, you can rest.
Here I am, about to leave everything I know for the next 11 months, all American comforts and the physical presence of family and friends, and peace is abounding. You are so good Jesus.
Monday, July 2nd:
Arrive in Washington, DC with my family
Tuesday, July 3rd:
Meet with WR Squad at 3pm
Say goodbye to my family that night
Wednesday, July 4th:
Country Specific Trainings/Briefings
Last Minute Prep
Thursday, July 5th:
Goodbye America, Hello India!
