I can't believe I am going to Training Camp next Friday! It seems like it was just yesterday that I decided to go on this adventure — and in reality that was a whole 6 months ago, almost to the day!
God has been providing for me in so many cool ways, like a good friend of mine said a few weeks ago, "your Race has already started, Christina!" And isn't that the truth?! I feel like I am definitely racing already and time is certainly RACING by!
The fundraisers have been a LOT of fun and they've given me a really cool opportunity to share about what I am doing, what God is doing, and what we are going to be doing together 😉 We've raised a good bit of money, but more importantly I feel like it's given me the unique opportunity to share about my faith in such a cool way, already. Mostly because the curiosity in people is always interested in hearing about an adventure and especially when it entails sacrifice on behalf of the adventurer. People who know me straight up LAUGH when they hear I am going to be carrying all my earthly belongings in a pack on my back. 'Where will you put all your 'flare'? (my big rings, nail polish, jewelry, purse, etc). I've decided I'm just gonna have to pick up some flare along the way!
My trip to Austin a few weekends ago to visit Danielle – my BFF from kidergarten, she is like my sister – ended up being a huge blessing (in addition to getting to see Danielle & Ricky, of course) b/c I got to purchase a TON of the gear that I needed. Austin is like outdoor world heaven! They had like 4 different REI's, Cabella's, Whole Earth Provision <– totally the coolest store: like Urban Outfitters meets Gander Mountain meets the hippie section at Whole Foods. Very cool. I wasn't even planning on doing any shopping there, but God went ahead of me. Love that about Him!
This race certainly HAS started, so please keep me in your prayers that I can continue to keep the 'big picture' in mind: God, His glory, and the work that He's called me into. Like I read in the book we're studyng in my Girl's Group (Radical Together) suggests, I need to not ask God simply to bless my plans, but to show me HIS plans. It's so much easier to ask him to bless my plans of fundraising, packing, shopping, etc. But asking Him what his plans are and how I can play into THOSE… that's what really takes stepping out of my comfortzone and a willingness to get uncomfortable for the glory of God.
And friends, that's what I'm thinkin this trip is all about!
More updates, soon!
