*my world race update is at the bottom of this blog post*
The present is a present. Every breath we have during everyday on earth is a gift given to us by God our father. In every second of everyday God has the power to take our breath away and take our life away, and sometimes he does. God is all powerful and all mighty. He is sovereign, kind, loving and just. God has a purpose with every decision he makes and he has a purpose for why you are on this earth right now. Too often we get caught up in the future and looking ahead. We get trapped in the mindset of “TOMORROW I’ll do that” or “EVENTUALLY I hope this happens” or “I CANT WAIT until this happens”. We are stuck in the mindset of the future… But what about right now?
Tomorrow will be just like today. Tomorrow you will be thinking to the future and the day after that you will be thinking to the future and same with the day after that and so on. Today is never good enough and tomorrow is always where our hope remains.
Have you ever thought about what you dreamed about when you were a child? When I was a child I couldn’t wait to be in 6th grade to be one of the oldest kids in my school. Then in 6th grade I couldn’t wait to be in middle school because I would be even cooler. Then when I was in middle school I couldn’t wait to be a freshman because I would be in high school. Then when I was a freshman I couldn’t wait to be a senior to be working towards my future. Now that I’m a senior I can’t wait to graduate and go on my Gap Year. Then once I’m on my gap year I probably won’t be able to wait till I complete it and start working towards permanent missions work. Then once I get into permanent missions work I won’t be able to wait for the next thing and the next thing and the next thing and before I know it I will be lying in a hospital minutes before I die wondering where my life went.
We all have this disease to a certain extent. We all are never content with what is directly in front of us.
Every day is a gift. Every single day. The minute we start putting value in the people, activities, work, relationships and time of the present we will begin to start truly living. If we constantly are looking to the future we lose what is happening right now. Life is so fast and this time on earth is so short.
This whole topic of valuing the present is something that God has really been putting on my heart recently. I am so excited about the gap year that I am overlooking my most important and precious year I have had thus far in my life. This is my last year in high school, my last year to be a kid, my last year to live with my parents and have no worries, after this year I will embark on a trip that may lead to opportunities that will change my life or I may go back home and have to reevaluate everything. Regardless of the outcome, my life will never be the same. This year is important and everyday is so so so important.
I would like to encourage you all to wake up everyday and literally think about what you want to accomplish that day. For me, I know that I need to start living like I’m in the missions field right now in my community rather than waiting to pursue missions on my gap year. Maybe for you it’s to text your mom, say hello to your neighbor, get your homework done, call your brother, do your taxes, have a successful day at work, fix dinner, feed your dogs, write a book, go for a run, ANYTHING. Every day has potential and no accomplishment is too small. Live your life day by day like it’s your last because it could be. The present is a present given to us by God.
*WORLD RACE UPDATE*
*My fundraising letters are finalized and I am now in the process of putting them in envelopes! The next step is to start sending them and handing them out!! If you would like one or if you know of someone that may like one please let me know! Each letter comes with a letter explaining my trip and why I want to go and how the recipient can help, a small customized business card, and a sheet explaining how to donate if you are able to!
*The Adopt-A-Box fundraiser is still going on and will continue through the month of December! I have been blown away by how gracious people are being so far and I can’t wait to see how God continues to bless this fundraiser!! The picture of the boxes that have been taken and are available is down below!
*The T-Shirt fundraiser will start immediately following the Adopt-A-Box fundraiser in January! I have already started the design process and I CANT WAIT to show you all in January!
Thank you all for reading this blog post and for being so invested in this journey with me already. Please continue to pray for me as I prepare mentally, spiritually, physically, emotionally and financially.
I LOVE you all!!
God Bless 🙂
