Hey friends!! I’m BACK!! I’m not gunna lie, I never thought I would be. But here we are and God clearly has something way better than what I thought!
I thought I’d give you a quick recap of what life has been like since I’ve come back from the Race.
When I first got back in July, I spent a few weeks readjusting to the North American lifestyle, visiting with friends and family, and spending some much needed unwind time at our family cottage. Then I was, and have been blessed with the opportunity to work with my brothers at their property maintenance company. They’re great bosses and I’m blessed with this opportunity for sure. As far as transitioning out of 24/7 amazing community, it was a lot harder than I thought it was going to be. I had a few moments where the silence was just too loud. (If that makes sense) But I’ve been able to keep in touch with a couple of my favourites and they’ve been super helpful. #youknowwhoyouare
One question I’ve been asked a lot is; Has it been hard coming home from such a big crazy trip?
Well, my answer is yes and no. Yes, because I don’t think I realized (while I was on the Race) how much my life was actually being transformed. I know God had wrecked me (as in, rebuilt me) in so many ways, but when I got home and was re-introduced to my “pre-race journey” and routines, thats when I really saw it. It was also hard because there were so many things I’d seen and experienced in those 11 months that I couldn’t explain in words to those at home. I wanted so badly for them to just understand why I felt the way I felt. But I can say it also wasn’t that hard because I had some incredible people God had placed in my life for that specific season, and each of them were extremely patient, loving and supportive.
A few weeks after returning home I was accepted to a leadership program in Spain for 6 months. I was SO excited. This was it!! My next step!
But a few weeks later I received a phone call from them saying they had to cancel that semester of classes to re-vamp the program. I had choice of applying in September but I believe God closed that door for a reason. (That I can see now)
So after processing that frustration and sadness, I was able to, through that, draw closer to God. I didn’t understand why He would take me down that path only to close the door on my face! How Rude!
As life went on, I was so thankful to be home for all the fun holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. Being away helped me really appreciate the amazing family and friends I have in my life.
During this time, I was working but since we work outside and it was winter, I had a lot of free time. I ended up using this time to spend with the Lord. It would look different everyday. Sometimes I colour, sometimes I just sit and worship him, sometimes I listen to sermons or sit in silence (thats the hardest one for me) and soak in all that he has for me. Journaling through this whole season has been really helpful too. At first, I was frustrated that I was only working part time and had all this free time on my hands, but then I realized that it was EXACTLY what I needed to process through the last season, to push through the current hard season I was in, and to prepare me for whats next. Even if I had no idea what that was! He did.
Looking at some other missions options, I had heard that Adventures In Missions was starting a World Race Canada!! How perfect right? So, of course I applied to squad lead that! (Squad leading is when World Race Alumni go out on the field with the new Racers) After a few months of waiting, I found out they didn’t have enough people sign up for it, so they had to cancel it. Great! Another closed door!!
The application I had filled out to squad lead had been switched over to the regular World Race and that’s when I received an email from AIM asking if I was still interested in doing it.
I took some time to pray about it and had asked the Lord for some clear signs that this is what he wants me to do. Having two doors closed on me was kind of a lot, and I was a little hesitant to move forward. As time passed, I received random messages from some of my squad mates, had helpful life giving conversations with close friends and heard from the Lord in my quiet times. (Not audibly, I hear from him in many different ways. This is a good topic for another blog;) He would point me to verses like Hebrews 12:1(b) “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Yes, its crazy that is has the word RACE in it but he was more reminding me that even though I might not know what the race looks like or where I’m running to, I still need to run and persevere. And he will still be by my side as I go.
So I responded to AIM with a YES! Sure! I’m going to run down this path even if it has a dead end, because going down those last two paths weren’t pointless. They both brought me a little closer to my Heavenly Father and they brought me to a place in my relationship with him that I have never experienced before. Was it hard at times? Heck yea! Did (do) I cry a lot? Yes. Did I give up a few times? Yes! But thats exactly what needed to happen. Thats exactly where God wanted me to be. When you’re at the bottom, you’ve got no choice but to look to Him. And once you start giving over everything… and I’m not talking “here Lord, you can have my material stuff” I’m talking EVERYTHING. I came to a place in my relationship with him where nothing else really matters. Ultimately I want to serve him with my whole life and I can’t do that as well if I’m holding onto things like the plans I have for my life, or the money (or lack there of) in my bank account. My daily prayer is that he would take my timelines and expectations I’ve put on him for my life and direct me according to his will. I mean.. he’s already got it figured out anyway..soo theres no point in me carrying them and getting disappointed over and over. He is legit good. And good all the time.
“Fullness comes to us when we remember to be with HIM before going out to serve him. He wants our HEARTS to be in alignment with him before our hands set about dong today’s assignment for him.” -Lysa TerKeurst
I started reading this book called Uninvited and let me tell you, its a really great book and it’s pretty much punching me in the face with so many great truths and is so relatable in this season I’m currently in.
When you apply to lead a trip, you have to complete two phone interviews with AIM (Adventures In Missions) staff. My first one happened, and it actually went really well. This really sweet staff member is currently mentoring a Gap year Squad. (its like the World Race but for 18-21 year olds and they do 5 countries in 9 months) She pretty much convinced me to switch over to lead a Gap squad instead of a regular squad. After that interview, I felt really good. God gave me some crazy peace to remain calm and trust in him. Then I had my second interview about two weeks later with someone that actually was on my squads leadership/volunteer team during our training camp. (Crazy how God works sometimes…or all the time) It went really well too! I hung up from that one feeling like.. “ok this is it. This is where I leave it in your hands Lord!”
While all this is happening, I’ve been preparing to become an aunt again twice in the next two months! And let me tell you, if was in charge of my timeline, I would be right there with them, bringing little Courtney’s into the world. But I’m not, and I have full trust the God knows the desires of my heart. Maybe one day!! But right now he has some very exciting stuff planned for me and his Kingdom.
I know the surprise has already been ruined, but I GOT ACCEPTED TO SQUAD LEAD! And I couldn’t be more excited. Like it says in Esther 4:14 “Perhaps this is the moment for which you have been created.” I truly believe that God has created me to be full of His joy and have a passion for people and discipleship! Im so excited for him to use me in these young adults’ lives! How cool is it to think I can help them become more confident in who God has created them to be?! Am I a little terrified? YES! But I know with my whole heart that if I continue to let him lead me, this is going to be an incredible experience.
In order to go on this trip, I need to fundraise (ugh I hate that word) $5,000 CAD ($3,500 USD)
Theres no doubt in my mind that the Lord will provide every last penny if this is what he wants me to do.
I would REALLY appreciate your support whether its PRAYER, FINANCIAL DONATIONS or ENCOURAGEMENT.
And the cool part about donating is that I can %100 tell you that it is going to be a part of changing one person’s life whetherther its someone I meet or mine:)
And one more additional blessing I’ve received this time around is that I am able to receipt all donations that I receive. Yay!
.: CANADIAN DONATION PROCEDURE: (THE HOW) :.
Adventures in Missions is in cooperative partnership with Community Christian Fellowship Church of Canada (CCFCC) to train and mobilize Christ’s followers to establish the Kingdom of God through discipleship and charitable service around the world.
Canadian donors have three options for donating to racers:
· Check – Make checks payable to CCFCC, attach their personalized Fundraising Card and mail to: 1807 St Joseph Blvd, Unit 307, Orleans. ON, K1C 7C6, Canada.
· E-transfer – Send an e-transfer* to [email protected] and follow up with a separate email with the donor’s name and complete address, the participant’s full name, and “World Race.”
· Through Adventures in Missions – To give online through Adventures in Missions, you will not receive Canadian tax deductions. Use your giving link in your profile, or on your personal blog, for donations online via credit card, debit card, or bank draft. Donors can always give through the standard means via Adventures in Missions (giving link in profile, personal blog, or donations online via credit card, debit card, or bank draft). Donations will NOT be tax-deductible.
Canadian donors will only receive a tax deduction if they give through CCFCC. They will not receive a tax deduction if they give to Adventures in Missions.
There is a support card that should be sent in with donations to CCFCC.
All questions should be directed to CCFCC via email [email protected] or by calling 613-834-8187 ext 27.
Until next time!
