Here I am 4 days away from leaving! And I’m not totally sure how I feel! I was talking to God about almost feeling numb lately, well He changed that around these last few days! The next best way I can describe how I feel like through this picture:
I am a bit overwhelmed looking at all the things I have to bring and the bag(s) that it’s supposed to fit in. HAHA. But I’m sure all that will work itself out once I get down to the details of it all.
So here I am sitting in a coffee shop (I feel like this is where I have done a lot of processing. I don’t know if it’s the smell of coffee that opens up my thoughts. Or if it’s the jazzy type music that plays. Or maybe it’s the free Wi-Fi…who knows. But this has been my getaway place). As I’m sitting here I’m really trying to wrap my brain around what really is to come. I feel like I’ve been trying to live SO PRESENTLY in the moments over this summer that I haven’t really given myself time to focus on what is to come.
This weekend was my last Sunday at my church Freedom Fellowship; it was such a bittersweet moment. As I looked around the sanctuary I was reminded of all the little spots that over the last 10-12 years have totally changed my life.
Now I know I know I’ll be back in a year, it’s not like I’m leaving forever, but what makes this so different for me is; I have known about The World Race for at least 5 years now. I have longed to go on an adventure like this! And I’ve seen why I haven’t been given the opportunity until now. Over the last 5 years my life has been crazy wrecked! And I am a totally different person then I was 5 years ago, shoot then I was a year or even 6 months ago!
But as I was looking around Freedom, I was reminded of how truly lucky I am to have this HOME. A place of refuge, and healing, a place where I know I can be totally messed up, ugly and yet still loved regardless. A place where the Pastor speaks truth no matter how hard, and who responds through actions. (that is what has created such a dynamic church. His family sets such an example in all things). I have been through so many rough times in my life and every time God has met me so lovingly (through others, through His spirit and more) all throughout that church.
Over these last few days I have felt so loved! It’s one of those things you know you are loved; it’s another thing to actually see it happen around you!!
11 countries–THIS IS GOING TO BE NUTS!!!!!
People have been asking what can they do to help?! Here’s the biggest thing, bigger than money and deadline…is prayer!
I would love to introduce you to my team. You may have heard of them or seen them in prior post, but I want to share a little bit more about the team as a whole and as individuals.
When we were assigned teams the one thing that we kept hearing over and over and over again from leaders was the amount of peace that flowed through our team! And we each felt it. It was one of those things where we knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but we knew we could take on this world! Staying rooted in God, peace would just flow through our team!
We all sat down and processed over and over what would be a great way to express our team, what would we want our ministry contacts to think of when they saw our name…which is where Branches of Peace came from.
As you can see in this picture our team is made up of 6 individuals; Cherish, Kelsey, Nayelly, Rebecca, Carissa and me!!
I asked each one of them to send me where they are from and to share a prayer request with all of you. Again the biggest thing that can help us in this season of preparing to leave and preparing to encounter the world is PRAYER!
So here is my team Branches of Peace:
Cherish-I am from Lancaster, Pennsylvania and I would love prayer as I am going to be missing my family. Also, that I would be able to see Jesus on a way that I never have before. I want love exactly the way He wants me to and to learn how to best serve His people
Carissa– I am from Woodstock, Ontario, Canada Prayer for peace, strength and an obedient heart for myself would be great, as well as healing and protection for my family. There have been health scares that make it hard to say goodbye.
Kelsey– I am from VB (hometown girl WHAT WHAT! haha) Prayer for trust, kindness, gentleness, humility, patience, love, strength to be everything He has called me to be, for my heart and mind to be softened and molded into exactly what He intended them to be. For my ears to hear Him when He speaks. For my mind to not be so distracted that I lose focus of Him. That I do not harden my heart and mind at any point during this next year, but instead return home unable to recognize myself due to the work He has done in my heart, mind and life; that I would grow to greater glorify Jesus Christ in everything I do.
Nayelly-I am from Grand Island Nebraska prayers just all around!! Especially for my family which is having a hard time letting me go… Prayers for my heart to be softened so that I can be a worthy follower of the Lord and may go through this journey honoring Him
Rebecca– I am from Middleville, MI. I am asking for Prayers for peace….being away from my family will be hard. Boldness while sharing the gospel and preaching and Humility to given the wisdom needed for this trip
Becca– I am asking for prayers that my heart and mind stay totally present. My biggest concerns over the last 6 months have been I don’t want to miss a God opportunity. I want to be focused and receive to be everything He has planned for me. I want my ears to be tuned to hear His voice.
Man oh man!! Just reading over these prayer requests my mind is thrown into what this next year really holds for us!!! We are going to see so many crazy God sightings! We are going to fight some pretty intense warfare and we are going to see lives set free with love!!!
ahhhhhh I am sooo excited!!!!
Thank you thank you thank you to each and every one of who have supported me this far! I seriously would not have made it if it wasn’t for ya’ll! From financial gifts, to encouraging words, to prayer and through love! I’m 65% fully funded!!! WHoohoo!!!
I have another $2,080 to reach my next deadline in November and about $5,641 to be fully funded!!! I’m getting so close!!!
I love you guys so much!!!!
