There is so much in life, my life specifically right now, that is bittersweet, not the norm, uncomfortable.
Things a person wants to do…
… but also doesn’t want to do at the same time.
you know-
- Bungee jumping
- Eating that ridiculously healthy food for you that tastes so disgusting
- Running that 5k
- Climbing to the top of the mountain
- Asking that cute girl out on a date
In my life right now, it feels like there are so many things that I don’t want to do… but I do. Things I wanna do… but I don’t.
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So, apparently, there is something that needs to be done in order for you to leave the country… I get asked about them every time I tell someone new about the World Race.
… that’s right… shots.
Shots are something that I DON’T wanna do…. but I DO.
I really don’t prefer having a weakened strain of a virus injected into my system. I mean, who does?? Right??
I really don’t prefer having a sore arm (to some extent) for a week.
I really don’t prefer having a vaccination that could have serious or even fatal side effects.
I really don’t prefer paying for all of this to happen to me.
…
But, I wanna serve our Radical Father however He wants to use me!
But, God has called me to the World Race and I want to go!
But, I know that nothing will happen to me unless He lets it- and if it seems bad- HE HAS A REASON FOR IT!
So, I overcame my intense procrastination and went and got some vaccinations yesterday morning. I got Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and Yellow Fever.
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I had an appointment at this clinic that I’d never heard of before. I had called the Greenville Health Department and they had recommended this place to me. So, here I go into this building- never seen before, not totally confident of what shots I actually needed, really not wanting to be there.
Let’s be honest: I was having a bad attitude.
I walk into the room that I am going to be vaccinated in. Still not wanting to be there. Not wanting to talk to people- (I know, I know… when does Ashley Albert EVER NOT want to talk to people haha) The lady that was going to administer the shots came in. Naturally, I’m sure- because this is a clinic administering travel vaccinations, her first question is where are you going?
Junk. I have to talk to her. I DON’T really feel like it. But, I start talking about the World Race. After I start talking about it, I start feeling the absolutely normal, utter EXCITEMENT about the Race and what God is going to do. It ended up that this lady was a fellow believer! She was super excited about my trip as well. AND, she was playing Praise and Worship in her office. AND, when she left for a second, to go talk to the doctor- ‘Oceans’ by Hillsong was on!! That is a song that the Lord has been using over and over again in my journey!!
The doctor came in to talk to me about the Yellow Fever vaccination- because there is a really low chance that it could have serious/fatal side effects. I don’t know if she normally visits the vaccination patient, but I talked with her about the trip as well :))
After the shots, I went out into the lobby and talked to the receptionist. Her daughter went to Costa Rica on a missions trip last year. That is also interesting because God keeps bringing Costa Rica up in my life. Over and over and over. I’m still processing that one. I don’t know what God is doing, but I know that whatever He does is great!
I ended up walking out of there, having these ladies all telling me that they will be praying for me, for the Race. It was such an encouraging encounter!
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The World Race is something that I DON’T wanna do… but I DO.
(let me first say, a lot of people do not understand this. I have people tell me that they are not going to miss me when I’m gone, etc. because this is my ‘dream thing to do’) The Race is NOT my dream.
I really don’t prefer sleeping on the ground for a year.
I really don’t prefer having limited/cold showers for a year.
I really don’t prefer living out of a backpack for a year.
I really don’t prefer hand washing my clothes for a year.
I really don’t prefer missing out on a year of family holidays.
…
But, I wanna serve our Radical Father however He wants to use me!
But, God has called me to the World Race and I want to go!
But, I know that nothing will happen to me unless He lets it- and if it seems bad- HE HAS A REASON FOR IT!
The fact that I am going to all these countries is what makes most people think that this is something that I really want to do. If I just wanted to visit a lot of countries I could just stay home, save money, and just go visit these countries with more luxurious accommodations. If I just wanted to witness to people for God, I would just do a short mission trip or get involved more in serving in America. BUT, God has called me to go on the World Race and that is what I am going to do.
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Fundraising is something that I DON’T wanna do… but, I DO.
I really don’t prefer asking people for help: money or physical.
I really don’t prefer putting tons of posts on Facebook about fundraising.
I really don’t prefer investing a lot of time and resources into something that I don’t prefer to do.
…
But, I wanna serve our Radical Father however He wants to use me!
But, God has called me to the World Race and I want to go!
But, I know that nothing will happen to me unless He lets it- and if it seems bad- HE HAS A REASON FOR IT!
The other day, I came across one of my squad-mates blogs. He says it perfectly:
The World Race is a mission trip. I think thoseof you reading this are missing a huge reality though. This is not my mission trip. This is not MY adventure. This is NOT MY obedience.
This trip is a journey for every single person who is joining in on it. If you support me financially; this is your mission trip, if you support me through prayer, this is your obedience to God.
If you are supporting me financially, YOU are going on this trip!
If you pray for my trip, YOU are ministering to people all over the world!
HOW AMAZING IS THAT?! God is so cool! He could totally do all of this on His own, but I’m convinced He loves us SO MUCH, that He wants to give us the opportunity to be a part of what He’s going to do so we can experience the freedom of God’s love for us!!!
God is intentional in every aspect of this trip. He will provide, I am absolutely confident in Him alone. But the force of God putting this together is built on the hands of feet of those who act in obedience and serve Him. I did not seek this trip out, God put it in front of me. I don’t believe that I can, in my own power, do all the miraculous things that will happen on this Journey.
Those things, they are actions of God through obedient individuals!
God IS absolutely going to use this journey to do work for His kingdom! No question. Please don’t miss out on the opportunity to be on this team!
<3 Ash
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog!! I know that it was outrageously long. :)) If you would like to support me financially, click on the ‘support me’ link at the top of this page!!
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You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand
And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior
‘OCEANS’
