I know.
Its been a while.
Its month 13 now, and i havent posted much since ive been “back”. Partially because of busyness and that i still dont have phone service/data, but its a bad excuse because there is great wifi where i am staying. And i have access to it every night.
That being said, i havent been on as much as youd think. Ive been volunteering and helping out, and driving and at debrief and…
Well, let me back up.
…Also, if i havent yet done something youre waiting for me to do, im sorry. That part of my life hasnt been easy. Its been much easier to focus and accomplish the things right in front of me.
So here goes an attempt to do somthing that right now is hard for me: writing.
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So i know i left for the “World Race” – the whole “11in11” and all that jazz. And im sure you thought id be back in california when that finished. I thought that too.
But if youve read my last couple of posts, youll know that that isnt what happened.
The race really hasnt ended for me…and that makes me think, “am i supposed to enroll for the WorldRace America?”.
Yes. Thats launching soon. Its an alumni route for america. 11 weeks here in america…or something like that. Adventures is bus hunting for the vehicle for the team to travel around the states in.
Yea. So, back to me.
I’m currently in Florida at a Landing Zone with Mr. And Mrs. Huffman. He’s a retired cop and she’s a retired social worker. They have two daughters who have both done the race and no longer live with their parents, and the Huffman’s are now Coaches for teams who are going out on the race.
They live in pensacola and theyre really involved in ministry in their community, family, and church. Since ive been here ive been volunteering with them in each ministry which has helped a lot with “being back” since it gives me a schedule to join, and volunteer work to do which has been satisfying!
Two weeks ago i had final debrief (psl = project searchlight), and last week i drove to New Mexico to spend time with two of my teammates before driving back to Pensacola Florida. I am super tired now.
Along with my volunteer work, helping out around the house, 2 trips down the road to the beach, 2 afternoons in the backyard sunlight, and …(i fell asleep writing this blog)… that long trip to NewMexico, seeing my friend Sara in Ocala and getting a time of fellowship and love and rest there, and then final debrief, and helping out with Huffman family here, and editting curriculum for a business, ive pretty much finished writing a book. Now im editing it, but its been super hard to write or make calls outside of that.
Super hard.
Im not sure why. But part of it has been having time when i dont have wifi (to make phone calls or write stuff on my heart), and not having time to do that stuff when i do have wifi.
And part of it has been fear.
When i say that i feel stupid. But i know what i feel and its fear. Im not really good with phones. I have this anxiety when it comes to dialing and waiting for the answer.
I dont know where it stems from, but if youre reading this and have been expecting to hear from me before now, im sorry.
Please know that i have been thinking of you, my family and friends and my supporters! And i am still on my journey of “asking the Lord” daily and following what He’s asking me to do.
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Currently, that asking has lead me back to georgia and WorldRace headquarters for helping with the current training camp for the next squads that will be going on the World Race!
I am super excited and eager for the Lord to grow a teachable spirit in me.
That is my current prayer, please join me in that if youre praying for me!
Also, a few girls from my squad have already launched as squad leaders and are currently out in the world with their squads in foreign countries.
A few of their prayer requests are for
– squad health
– rest for themselves
– and continued hunger and fire for their squad (that means hunger for God and the ability to love and serve others well)
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Final Debrief/PSL was amazing guys.
Wow.
I learned so much, met God in times of art worship, prophecied, was encouraged, encouraged others, and got to round out closing out my world race season.
It was so good and more than i imagined that it would be.
Also, had a greyhound adventure –.–
had to drive two hours to chase it down cause it didnt stop to get me (my friend God love her, chased it down on my behalf), and had squad team mates who loved on me in generous ways – yum
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Thanks for sending and supporting me.
Thank you for your prayers that have carried and continue to carry me through all Gods asked me to do.
My friend wrote this wrap up thank you note, that ebodied my feelings exactly and so im going to share it (edited by me a little), but i want you to know that i am not wrapping up yet.
I am still on a journey, and i want you to know that ill still be writing. …at some point Adventures might tell me to stop writing on this platform. If that happens i will shift over to my other blog: swallowtalk.wordpress.com (where ive been posting there also). …Until then youll continue to get updates, but feel free to unfollow anytime. 🙁
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Dear Family and Friends: Squadies,
We made it!! We made it through the craziest 11-month missionary journey around the world!!
When God first put on my heart to apply for the World Race, I never knew how many people’s hearts He would touch to support me.
When it was time to fundraise, I had no idea how many strangers would actually be moved by my story in what I’m doing and donate towards a journey that touched so many people’s lives around the world.
When He told me it was time to pack and leave everything behind, I never knew how many friends and family would help me get ready for this trip. The art youd buy from me, the time youd spend with me hearing my story, the jobs youd provide me with, the garage sale that people put on for my fundraising, the items that were donated both for that and towards the stuff i needed to take with me on the race.
When I finally left and started this 11-month missionary work last October, I never knew how many people would continually pray for me every day, follow my blog posts, and consistently check up on me to see how I’m doing.
Now, I’m reflecting back on all the mind-blowing, crazy things God has done these past 11 months, and I seriously couldn’t have done it without all of your support and prayer!
First, I want to thank you for your kindness. Whether you believe in God or not, you believe in helping people. You believe that there is brokenness around the world and you want to make a difference some way, somehow.
Just know that your donation helped put a smile on a child’s face, encouraged a sick person in the hospital, uplifted leaders and gave them rest, shared a sense of hope to prisoners and refugees, and touched thousands of people’s lives. Because of your generosity, you played a part of making all of this happen!
Second, I thank you for trusting me. Thank you for having faith in what I didn’t know I was capable of doing. Thank you for allowing me to experience the struggles and the pain that others are going through and because of it, my life has completely changed. My perspective has shifted, my selfish ambitions have shattered, and I will forever be grateful that you’ve allowed me to be your hands and feet even if you couldn’t physically be there with me. Be confident in the fact that you were with me in spirit and you made a difference!
Lastly, thank you for caring for me. Thank you for all of the emails and messages I received throughout the year, for reading my updates and posts, for sending over extra pocket money just because, and of course for praying for me. When times got rough, it was your prayers that kept me going and kept me safe. It was your encouragement and uplifting words that allowed me not to give up. Thank you for continually rooting for me and just showing me love!
And just like that…. the World Race is over! What a privilege and honor it has been to travel around the world, to serve and share the gospel, and to show love to everyone we have met.
This season may have come to an end, but it doesn’t mean that my race is over. I will continue to run this race that God has set before me and I believe the best is yet to come! I pray that next season will be twice as better than this last one and this wild journey will get even wilder as I continue to step out in obedience and faith!
God bless fam and friends!! I’m finally back in America safe and sound and still going…
