62 days until our lease is up and I move back in with the parentals.
81 days until training camp in Georgia.
124 days until I leave for India.
Yikes.
So much to do. So little time!
Megan and I have been working hard to get rid of lots of things in our house. We’re trying to live off of the bare minimum so that it’ll be easier on us in two months when we have to move out. Last night we tackled the kitchen. We put 80% of the things we had into boxes to give to our dear friends, Joe and Katie, who will be getting married while I’m away on the race and while Megan is in Portland. It’ll be an early wedding gift from us.
We’re also hoping that less kitchen items will equal less mess. Megan and I are notorious for a messy kitchen. I know, shocker. We often wonder, ‘If someone were to walk in randomly, would he or she know that two girls live here?’ In our defense, we’re very very busy girls. We’ve both been picking up shifts like crazy to help pay for the adventures God is calling each of us to. Here’s hoping less things will mean we’ll stay on top of dishes more easily!
A few weeks ago I donated most of my clothes and accessories to Goodwill. I just kept the few things that I actually wear on a daily basis. It’s a good feeling to see the house finally starting to “slim down.” At first I was selling and giving away things like crazy but couldn’t see a difference in the appearance of our home. You’d be amazed at how much more you own than you realize. Now, it’s finally starting to show. Good thing too; we’ve gotta be out of here in two short months!
Lately I have also been more pro-actively purchasing items I need for the World Race and as I have, I have found the Lord blessing me in all directions! Thanks to an awesome sale on at REI and a gift card sent to me by a loving friend, my tent and footprint cost a third of what I would have paid for them! As for my sleeping bag, one of my World Race team members works at an outdoor store and got me a killer discount (I also paid only 1/3 of the price for this item). My best friend in the world, Miss Callie Woodley and her sweet husband, Matt, sent me yet another gift card, allowing me to purchase my sleeping pad for less than half its original price. Through a connection to the local photo store in town, I am able to order my daypack at an employee discount, and to top it off, one of my favorite coworkers bought me a sweet little lantern to hang in my tent.
What touching gestures. I am so utterly astounded by everyone’s love and encouragement! You have all helped me so much. The thought of you literally brings tears of appreciation to my eyes. You have truly made me feel cherished and supported.
This last week I had two wonderful photo opportunities: one was a baby shower at the Yellow Dog Café and the other was a maternity shoot for the most darling couple in my church. Baby bumps are everywhere I look! The shoots were wonderful because, of course, they meant extra money for the World Race, but also because I just thoroughly enjoy photographing people, especially ones as cute and lovely as these two mommies-to-be. I hardly believe I get paid to do what I love.
I write all of this to say thank you. When I last posted I was at a bit of a hurdle in the road and I was having a hard time getting past it. I was feeling discouraged and overwhelmed and maybe even a little bit alone. Every instinct in me told me not to share that with you. I wanted to skip that last blog altogether. Who wants to be a Debbie Downer, after all? Yet despite my reservations, Papa ushered my heart to tell you. I didn’t understand why, but now I am beginning to. It is unbelievably important for me to be transparent with you – through both my struggles and my joys, and He is granting me the ability to do so. Why? Well, because it brings Him glory. You see, He is the answer to my questions, the Solution to my struggles, and the Lifter of my head when I am discouraged, and if the valleys of this journey are not recorded, how will there be perspective to appreciate the mountaintops? So thank you for joining me through the ups and the downs. You have been nothing short of spectacular through it all.
With a heart full of affection,
Angelique
“Remember today why you have been working so hard and going without
certain pleasures. Remember today the dream and calling our Daddy has
placed in your heart and take joy in the fact that you are saving up
treasure in heaven and the things you will accomplish will be pleasing
to Him. Have fun today and know that you are loved beyond belief.”
(My dear friend, Joshua Dickey)
PS. Yesterday I made raw chocolate pudding using only avocado, banana, milk, honey and cocoa powder. It was pretty darn yummy! This has nothing at all to do with this blog but it made me happy and I had to share.
