This weekend I was able to spend some quality time with most of my mom's side of the family for my cousin's wedding in Missouri. From the 5 hour drive to the bruised feet from dancing so much to hotel pranks and everything in between, it was such a great reminder of how much I love and enjoy my family. They're all so different and all so wonderful, there's truly never a dull moment. And today is my birthday which just adds to all the excitement!
But a thought occurred to me today, "on my birthday next year I will be living in a tent in Nepal with a team of people I haven't even met face to face yet." WHAT??? That's just so crazy. This is a place that for the last couple years I have dreamt of visiting and in just 1 short year, that dream will become a reality. But I still can't quite believe it, it's just too surreal.
Why I'm Going.
The World Race is something I have wanted to do since I first heard about it during my sophomore year at OSU. The thought of visiting 11 countries in 11 months to spread the Love and Good News of Jesus Christ is something that just can't be beat. Don't get me wrong, I love my job and what my degree allows me to do, but I know ministry, and specificially international missions, is what I was made to do. The kind of faith it takes to leave everything behind and serve the Lord is something that I truly desire and honestly I've run out of excuses not to just GO.
So in January 2014 I launch with a team into the world to literally serve "the least of these" and be the hands and feet of Christ. My heart jumps every time I think about it! We will be going to:
South Africa
Mozambique
Swaziland
India
Nepal
Malaysia
Vietnam
Cambodia
Ireland
Ukraine
Romania
Until then, I will continue to work at my job that I love so much and raise funds for this trip (if you'd like to help financially, let me know and I'll send you a support letter!)
I know that this will be the hardest year of my life. Although I do like to backpack and "rough it" for a week or so at a time, I've never done anything like this. I don't know what it's like to be away from my family for almost a year and I have never known what it is to be in need. I will be packing up what I can carry on my back and leaving all the comforts of "normal" life behind. And that is terrifying.
But I know the reward will be greater than everything I'm leaving behind. I know God will carry me through all the hard times that are sure to come and celebrate with me in all of the victories. Afterall, this trip has nothing to do with me and everything to do with God and His Kingdom. So that is why I must go.
If you'd like to continue being apart of this journey with me, keep checking out this blog as I will update it periodically as I prepare to launch in January and also while I'm gone. I cannot do this alone and would love each of you to join me in prayer as I embark on this journey!
I'm so thankful for each of you!
