Hello everyone! I feel like my blog posts up to this point have been very upbeat and happy but today I am going to take it down a notch. I really feel like God wants me to write about the dark side of pursuing missions because it is often overlooked and not talked about. No one wants to write or read about the sad times but sometimes that is exactly what you have to do.
Choosing to go on this journey was both the easiest and hardest decision I have ever made. This trip is a dream come true for me but it is the hardest path I could have ever chosen. Having to rely on others to financially support me is so hard. Having people openly tell me they think what I am doing is a waste of time is so hard. Having to be vulnerable to others in this process is so hard. Knowing that this adventure is putting me in true and real danger is so hard. Leaving my family for 9 months is so hard. This is so hard.
I am not writing this in order to make you all feel bad for me. I am writing this to show you the other side of all the pictures you see of missionaries and cute children on social media. The missions field is amazing, breathtaking, beautiful, joyful, rewarding, genuine, loving and worth it… but it also comes with sacrifice and pain. If I continue down this path and pursue long term missions as I grow older into being an adult, I will be taking a huge risk. I will be risking comfort, financial security, home security, my safety and more.
It is very scary to think about but I believe with every ounce of my body the race is where I need to be next year. God wants to fill me so full with his love that I explode. With God on my side anything is possible. God is going to enrich my life so much next year and I cant wait to see where this opportunity will lead to after the race. God wants to challenge me and make me trust him in a whole new way. God is not going to let me fall. I may go through intense struggle but he never is going to leave me! I will have the most amazing and breathtaking days, but I also will have some of the darkest as well and God will be there with me through it all. God will not let Satan win.
In life there are pros and cons and with every decision you have to weigh them out. Missions is the same way. I am up for the adventure and I am willing to get dirty and be uncomfortable. I am willing to take risks and deal with some real hardships. God has called me to this way of life and I am overjoyed that I am able to say YES and to GO! Not many people have an opportunity like the one I am embarking on next year and because of that I will be forever grateful. Not many people have such supportive family and friends and for that I want to say THANK YOU! This trip is not possible with out all of you! Without you all donating financially, buying bracelets, praying for me, talking me through it and partnering with me, I would never be able to go… THANK YOU! I love you all so much!
This journey is not going to be easy but I am ready… I am so so so ready!
*WORLD RACE UPDATE*
~The Adopt-A-Box is ending at the END OF DECEMBER! ALL donations financially online, by check, or with cash will go directly to the fundraiser from now till the end of December!
~I AM NOW SELLING BRACELETS! They are super cute! for the small ones they are 1 for $2 or 3 for $5! The big ones and necklaces are 1 for $4 or 3 for $5! I will have them with me 24/7 so if you want one just ask and I can give them to you right on the spot!
~I will be selling T-shirts very soon!!! The design is complete and I will reveal the design very shortly as well!
~Immediately following Christmas I will send out fundraising letters! If you haven’t given me your address yet give me it so that you can receive one!
I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!! GOD BLESS!!!! 🙂
