Hey friends,
Lindsey was a girl from my hometown who was taken too soon in a tragic car accident. Her family set up a scholarship fund for people pursuing theater arts education, going on cultural exchanges, and international missions. I am blessed to have received a scholarship that made the World Race possible. This is a letter to her, and to her family. I wrote it last month, while sitting at the top of a mountain in the Andes, taking communion and singing worship music.
To the Smith family: thank you so much for your support and love. My World Race wouldn’t have happened without the scholarship, but also without your friendship, support, and encouragement. You are incredible and I am so glad I have had the opportunity to take part in Lindsey’s legacy. I love you guys so much! (And to Linda- I’m in Ecuador! I’m going to do my best to get that pic!)
Dear Lindsey,
We never met, but I can’t help but feel like we should have. What I’ve learned about you is this:
You loved Jesus fiercely
And you loved people with your whole heart
You were funny, and passionate about so many things (missions, music, theater)
You loved to travel and wished you could have done more
You loved your family so much
Our lives are all sorts of intersected. We both love T Bar M. We both cherish friendship with Sarah Lehmann. Dawson worked for me at the camp store. We both love people and travel and Disney.
Right now I’m sitting on top of a mountain in the Andes Mountains in Peru. And I’m here, in part, because of you.
I’ve thought about you so often during my 9 months of traveling around the world. I’ve thought of you when I listen to worship music, or watch a skit put on by my squad mates, or bask in the sunshine.
I’ve thought of you when I pray for sick people and when I’ve seen people with legs that don’t function get up and walk. I’ve thought of you when I hold orphans and console widows. I’ve thought of you when the tears of a woman who’s lost her child run down her face, and when the heartache of losing a best friend etches grief lines into a young person’s face. I’ve thought of your family and your friends- their lives forever changes for having known you; for losing you.
I’ve thought of you more lately because I’m in South America and nearing Ecuador every day.
The day I said goodbye to your momma, she asked me to please take a picture on the equator, if I could, and to send it to her.
I’m not in Ecuador yet, so i don’t know if I’ll be near the equator for long enough to take a picture, but girl I’m going to try!
I know you’ve been partying in heaven with Jesus for a while now but I can’t help but think he let you come take communion with me on this mountaintop. I never met you, but today you feel tangible to me. I can picture your smiling face and it’s like I can almost hear your laugh.
As I look at the chain of mountains that go for miles in every direction, I’m overwhelmed with god’s love for his people. These mountains are intricate and beautiful and ancient. God placed them here. He crafted the ridges and valleys. He placed the trees and snow. He cared enough to clothe them in multicolored wildflowers.
The thing is, he loves us even more than that! He cares for us more than the mountains or the flowers or even the animals. That’s something you knew and believed with your whole heart, and the entire reason I’m on the World Race. God loves us and wants us to love people like that too. He put us here, filled us with his love, and then asks us to go out and love the hurt, the lost, and the broken. I’m told you were so good at that!
So, sweet Lindsey, here’s to you. I am so thankful for your life, and your legacy and the love that you exuded during your time on earth. Thank you for the path you carved that I get to walk down too. I can’t wait to meet you in heaven and party with you! We’ll throw confetti and wear Mickey ears and sing all the worship songs.
Until then, I’m going to love big, cherish my people, and chase after the ONE. I am so honored to walk where you walked and get to do missions in your memory.
All my love,
Ashley
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:34-35
