God has really been doing some cool things in my life recently. A lot of change can happen when you leave everyone and everything you know behind and venture into a year filled of ministry in 3rd world countries. You should try it some time. Just saying. I am also doing an internet fast this month with some of the people on my team, meaning I am not using facebook or email or skype. It has been really difficult so far, I am not going to lie about that. However I have noticed that I have been reading my Bible more, praying more, and rather than running to skype to have my friends and family console me…I am running to my team. Not that my fellow friends and family at home aren’t the greatest in the whole wide world! But, for better or worse, I am doing this journey with God and my new family. I need them to know the innermost thoughts that I have and what makes me tick. They need to know what really makes me laugh so hard that I pee a little in my pants and what makes me so sad that I cry myself to sleep. And through this internet fast, we are becoming that way. Which is a really cool thing.
 
I do not deal well trusting strangers. I do not deal well trusting most people in general, actually. It is just not something that comes naturally to me. Here on the World Race, I am trusting my entire life to six other people whom I am still getting to know. But one thing that God has really been teaching me is that – what does it matter? What does any of this silly earthly stuff matter? Like how my hair looks today or if my team will get my kind of humor or how silly will I look when I hear a great song come on the speaker at the mall and start to dance in the middle of the crowd or even what will this guy think of me when I go up to him and in my broken spanish ask him if I can pray for him? What does any of that matter?! God loves me just as I am. I need to do nothing to impress Him or make Him love me any more than He already does. He has called me to follow Him through this whole crazy journey and do some crazy things, but its okay because it will be great! None of the silly stuff I once really cared about matters anymore. I am just fine resting in God and knowing that He will provide and always care for me. And believe me, this is a much better way to live. :]
 
When everything you have goes away
You realize that nothing means a thing
Everything you thought was a big deal
Now you see it all and what is real
When all you have just falls apart
And nothing seems to work out right
And you’re trying
You’re still alright
– Still Alright, Adam Merrin

Don’t lose your grip on Love and Loyalty.
   Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart.
Earn a reputation for living well
   in God’s eyes and the eyes of the people.
– Proverbs 3:3-4