With Thanksgiving approaching this week, I am reminded of all I am thankful for. My freedom, health, family, friends, a fully belly, and money to spend are just a few of my firsts…
{I’m not going to walk you through the thousands of things I’m thankful for}
Let’s focus on just 1 today. That good?
In order to go on The World Race I must raise over $16k. $16,000 YALLLL.
This amount of money gave me anxiety, made me second guess my choice, and was a perfect channel for Satan to remind me that ‘This isn’t possible. Good try though’.
So what is the 1 thing I am MOST thankful for this week?
MY WORLD RACE {FINANCIAL} SUPPORTERS!
In order to actually board the plane to the Dominican Republic in January and launch with my squad, I needed to have $10,000 raised by December 18th.
Four weeks ahead of schedule, and the Lord is showing off with the total I have been given as of 11.22.15 {He does that}
I have been given OVER $12k as of this week! OVERRRRRR $12,000 DOLLLLARSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!
{TWELVE. THOUSAND. DOLLARS.}
YOU GOT ME HERE.
You realize how INSANE that is, right?
- YOU chose to support me when you could be saving towards that vacation.
- YOU chose to support me when every kid in your house needs new shoes.
- YOU chose to support me with your salary, to support mine in 2016.
- YOU chose to support me with nothing in return.
Why?
Believe me, I still don’t know the answer to that.
But THANK YOU.
THANK YOU for supporting me, even though it’s crazy. {backpack for a year…}
THANK YOU for reminding me I can be used by the Lord to encourage His church and show His love to one’s we will minister to.
THANK YOU for making a year of missions to 11 countries a reality.
THANK YOU for believing in me.
THANK YOU for praying for me. {Now and in the year to come}
THANK YOU for helping me eat next year.
THANK YOU for gladly giving, even when you didn’t have all the ‘facts’ and ‘for sures’.
THANK YOU for helping me take another step. You have given me the drive to keep going and shown me love with each step.
THANK YOU for not thinking this is a glorified vacation. {and if you think this is, please spend a week on a mission trip and you will soon realize it is most definetly NOT a vacation}
THANK YOU for showing me I’m not alone in this.
THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
Community, friendship, and support have new joyful faces attached to them now because of your support. YOUR FACE!
I know the sacrifice you have made to give towards my Race. I know your families, your medical bills, your total income, your car payments, the mouths you have to feed, and the fear’s with the amount of money in your checking accounts.
I know YOU.
The money you’ve given brings tears to my eyes, because you gave MORE than your monthly budget allowed. You cared about me, when you didn’t have to. You supported me with no questions asked. I am going on the Race because of YOU.
I am so glad I get to see God’s caring characteristics through you and your support.
YOU PUT ME ON THAT PLANE IN JANUARY!
You are a part of my story and I hope I have the honor to be apart of yours!
{I could keep going on… but I’ll stop}
Soooooo….
This Thanksgiving season, let us be thankful for those who have given more {emotionally, financially, physically} than they are asked. Remember those who support our dreams and passions and make our stories more beautiful than we could have ever imagined. Without their sacrifice, we wouldn’t have a story at all.
Hoping you don’t want your money back,
Anna
