Adventures WorldRace SethBarnes Sponsorship Giving

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The following days would bring many prayers, thoughts, and weighed conversations. The first thing I did was tell my parents and from there, I began talking to different members of my team about it. I sought godly counsel from my mentor and a friend at home, two people I trust spiritually. Everyone, including my mom, felt good about this opportunity. I would never tell you to make a decision based on other’s “feelings,” but the fact that even MOM had a peace made this whole thing seem like it might be real.

I asked God for confirmation and He knew it had to be tangible and clear because He just threw a curveball that I was not ready to swing at. See, Costa Rica was no farther on my radar than month 11 of the Word Race. In fact, I had tentative plans to return to the Philippines at the beginning of 2014. {If you remember my time there for month 5, you know the fire in my heart for that place and those people.}

I wanted to go home on July 31 and do nothing.

I wanted to sleep for a week straight.

I wanted to visit friends and family and supporters without that elephant in the room reminding you that your time with them is running out because you’ll soon be leaving again.

I wanted to wear normal clothes again. Eat normal food again. Cook in a real kitchen. Sleep in a real bed, in a real bedroom, with 5 real pillows.

I wanted to be home for my birthday and Thanksgiving and Christmas. {I’ve been gone the last two Thanksgiving holidays – Ironically enough, I was on a mission trip to Costa Rica during Thanksgiving 2011 and on the race Thanksgiving 2012}.

I wanted to spend all day with my mom running errands and watching movies.

I wanted to stop. And rest. And grieve the loss of 6 very important people who have become my family.

I wanted to have time to process through the last year.

I wanted to simply live life in the States for a while. {Never thought I’d say that one.}

I was excited to go home and experience all of these things. I had my plans, my agenda. And while I was asking Him for direction, I wanted Him to work His will into my expectations of what would happen after the race. I wanted to do what I wanted to do and nothing otherwise.

But God invited me into otherwise.

Because He somehow convinced my stubborn heart that the greatest blessings come from counting the greatest cost.

So I said, “Okay God, let’s do this. I believe this You. I know that You are a good Father, the best Father. I know that you are on my side, fighting for me, cheering for me. And I know that you have my best interest in mind. So if this is the next step, then let’s go. One step at a time.”

And that’s what we’re going to do. God and me, one step at a time. What’s after December? Only God knows that. All I know is that He asked me to (1) come (2) right now (3) for one semester. Everything after that is up to Him and I will walk in confident faith that He will show me “what’s next” when it’s time.

Many of you are probably asking some of the same questions I did. Please feel so free to send me emails or Facebook messages – I would love to tell you more of this story. For through our testimonies, God is glorified.

 

So, without further ado, here are my God’s plans for the weeks ahead:

  • On July 31, I will fly into Hattiesburg, MS.
  • I will spend about 3 weeks at home – visiting special people, support-raising, and preparing final things to move.
  • Around the end of August, I will move to the CR with whatever I can fit in suitcases (at least it’s not just a backpack this time).

 

Until then….. 

 

Love, Ashli in the CR