I told y’all to ask me questions and I would answer them… so here I go!!! 🙂
How often do you shower?
– on average twice a week. Some months it’s VERY hard to get a shower and in other months it’s very easy. Some months it’s not a shower at all! Bucket showers become normal and thinking of taking a regular shower seems taboo. Even if you do get a shower though… it’s always cold. Always.
Weirdest thing you have eaten?
– I ate a caterpillar in Lusaka, Zambia and it was by far the weirdest thing I have ever eaten. Crunchy, burnt, and had a face. I will forever be scarred.
What does life look like outside of ministry?
– COMMUNITY LIVING. On off days our team can adventure around or just chill. When ministry is done for the day our team has “team time” and other than that we can chill, go to the market, adventure around or work on ministry things for the next day! Life on the race slowly becomes very normal and soaking up each and every moment no matter how little, becomes very important.
What are 4 items you are thankful you didn’t leave at home?
– REGULAR SIZED PILLOW, PORTABLE CHARGER, ZIP LOCK BAGS, ICY HOT. I will forever preach about bringing a regular sized pillow, it’s a must. The only days I don’t like it are on travel days BUT those only come once a month or maybe a few times a month! It’s worth the few days of struggle for a year of comfort. Portable charger is a must. Long 48 hour African bus rides, multiple day travel days, when your power goes out for days at a time, or when you are sharing an outlet with 6 other people. Zip lock bags are GOLD. Everyone steals mine. Bring your own. A lot of them. Icy hot is a MUST if you have any muscle or skeletal pain what so ever.
What are 3 items you wish you never brought?
– extra toiletries or anything I brought a year supply of. YOU CAN BUY WHAT YOU NEED OVERSEAS. Don’t pack your pack full of things you can buy over seas. Don’t bring too much medicine (unless you NEED a certain kind), bring a travel size of shampoo or conditioner ONLY, bring a travel toothpaste, etc. IF YOU ARE A FUTURE RACER PLEASE TRUST ME. Space in your pack is so valuable, don’t waste it.
When is the last time you washed your feet?
– The last time I intentionally washed my feet was at Debrief a month and a half ago… other than that I just trust they get somewhat washed when I shower here in Malawi or I use my face wipes on my feet.
Do you ever find time to do something by yourself… just for you?
– lol… alone time? What’s that? I usually get up before everyone else and have time to myself to read my bible, paint, play my ukulele, etc. if you don’t carve out time… you will never be alone. Community living is COMMUNITY LIVING.
Have you ever gotten really angry with a local?
– Taxi drivers and Tuk Tuk drivers will always get me angry. I am a Treasurer so I usually pay for the rides and trying to negotiate with some of these people gets me heated heated heated. I’m just a broke missionary trying to get home man… don’t rip me off!
What guilty pleaser do you miss most from before the race?
– midnight ice cream runs, chocolate, binge watching random pointless shows, sleeping in. Wow. Woooooooow.
What does life look like for you after the race?
– I plan on having a plan soon and that’s my plan. I am trusting God, following his lead, and pushing into surrendering to him right now. There’s a lot of GOOD things happening after the race and a lot of HARD things happening after the race. I am excited about some “next steps” after the race, but with those come hardship I haven’t prepared for till recently. It’s going to be an adventure, an adventure I’m prayerfully preparing for… but when is life not an adventure?
Favorite country so far?
– NEPAL. I LOVED NEPAL. Ahhhhhhhhhhh.
Hardest country so far?
– INDIA… India was hard… but honestly so has Malawi. India was physically hard and Malawi has been emotionally hard. Both equally hard in my opinion.
Least and favorite thing about living in constant community?
– least: when you get annoyed with people you can’t just walk away and leave… they sleep right next to you and they eat right next to you and in 5 minutes you have to walk to ministry with them. They are your handpicked family for the time being and with that comes arguments and annoying things.
– favorite: They are your handpicked family for the time being… and with that it’s hard but it’s so so so much fun. You never are lonely, you never have to walk through trials alone, you always have someone to joke around with and have fun with. It’s fun. I love it.
Why did you get Bloom tattooed on your arm?
– BLOOM is the word that was prophesied over me at launch and the word that directly correlates to my testimony, my life, and what God has called me to do in life. Be the flower blooming in the darkness, the the flower blooming all different kinds of colors, the flower blooming into an even bigger flower in Christs love, the flower that is delicate but loved so very deeply by our father in heaven. Flowers are how God speaks to me. I love flowers.
When was the last time you cried? Why?
– 5 minutes before writing this blog from a text I received.
Do you miss your friends and family?
– yes absolutely
Favorite ministry so far?
– hmmmmm I LOVED Nepals adventurous ministry but I really loved how I was able to create my own ministry in Zimbabwe! Zimbabwe I was able to plan events and reach out into the community! It was super fun.
Is it hard? If so what’s the hardest part?
– Yes. Finding the balance between soaking up where you are and not loosing ties from back home is really hard for me.
Is it hard to keep long hair? Have you ever wanted to cut it while on the race?
– yes. My route has been HOOOOTTTTT but I would never cut my hair on the race… I did that at training camp and Garrett almost gave me a heart attack (but I have forgiven him).
What are 5 things you have learned that you would want to teach people?
– How to take advantage of every moment and opportunity no matter how small or little
– How to see the beauty in people and look past the outside exterior
– How to live sacrificially for Jesus
– How to find joy amongst the journey
– How to travel smart and responsibly
– How to be independent but also have a bunch of fun
– How to live everyday flowing with love
– How life isn’t a race and you don’t have to follow the “traditional path” to be successful
… that was more than 5! But it’s okay.
THANKS FOR YALLS QUESTIONS!!’ If you have any more questions don’t hesitate to ask! I love answering questions and talk to people about my journey!
THANK YOU TO MY SUPPORTERS FOR BRINGING ME HERE!! Wow thank you so much.
I love you all!! Stay tuned for more.
