Reflections of GRATITUDE
As my time on the race progressed and I saw new things around the world, I was reminded of things I missed back home, while at the same time appreciating the new beauties around me!
Here is a compilation of things I am thankful for in my life in the States and around the world!
Community (!!!) that shortly became lifelong friends who fight for me and help me look more like Christ
Cultures
The hospitality of other countries!!
Believers in each country building the Kingdom
God’s answered prayers in Ethiopia
Chicken express tea!!
Trash services in the U.S. (and Rwanda!!)
The ability to dream and cast visions for yourself in the U.S.
A family that has always encouraged me, fought for me, and given me opportunities.
Car music jams with my sisters!
Hookie days with dad every year from school
Ugandan street food
Endless “I love you” texts from mom
God’s restoration after the genocide in Rwanda, still happening
Living everyday sharing the love of Jesus
Morning team prayers
Team time! Even when I am tired and want to go crawl in a closet and be alone
Being stopped by random kids on the street or women at the markets. (Never have regretted being interruptible!)
Feedback — being pushed higher, called out, and affirmed in my spiritual gifts
Gas stations in the States filled with road trip essential snacks…hot cheetos!
Being welcomed by the church in so many countries
The beautiful untouched hills of Bolivia
Finished structures…aka completed buildings and roads, etc. (thank you America and Europe)
Being welcomed and greeted as a sister in the Lord in so many places
Listening to stories of persecution and faith and joy around the world
Laughter & goofiness!!
People trusting me with their lives for a month’s worth of time
Grandparents who care and invest and love
Fearless disciples of Christ in Ethiopia like Tamerat
Texts and facetime calls from best friends that I have had for forever
Hugging little children in 4 continents
Texan missionaries in Serbia who made us feel a piece of home so far away
Having to share a message or pray out loud…
being pushed outside of my comfort zone to the point it no longer is my comfort zone
Spotify!!
Cambodians who were open to hear the gospel
The Lords physical and spiritual protection throughout the year.
The Lords protection over my health!! from the untreated stream waters of the Amazon to village food in Ethiopia!
This is just a fragment of the million things to be thankful for in my life and on my world race journey.
LIFE UPDATE:
Currently I am sitting in a coffee shop in New York City. I am back in the States!!!! We officially got back a week ago. We landed in Boston, where I spent a couple days with squad mates decompressing. One of my best friends lives in New York, so it seemed like the perfect opportunity to go see her for a few days, Boston being so close to NY. I have been here several days, hanging out, drinking detox tea, watching sunrises and sunsets over the New York skyline, and catching up with a good friend. Today is actually her birthday, so shout out and HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO CARLY HESS!! Love our friendship of 20+ years! Tomorrow I fly back home to Texas and am SOO ready to see my family! It is somewhat setting in that I am back in the states. There are moments I already wish I could be back in an African hut unconnected to the world though. My World Race journey across the world has officially come to an end, but the race will continue. Month 12 will be in the states, spending time with friends and family, ending this month back in Georgia for a final debrief with my whole squad. God has been speaking to me what is next for a while now and I can not wait to share with yall what that is soon!
