One month. That’s 31 days. Or 744 hours. Or 44,640 minutes. Or 2,678,400 seconds.
No matter how you want to break it down, my journey that begins on January 5th is quickly approaching. I thought I would give you guys a little update on where I am at, and how I am feeling just a month away from my World Race starting!
Despite my dramatic beginning to the blog I have to admit that I’m not really counting down until my launch date. I mentioned in a previous blog that January 5th I head to meet my squad in Atlanta, and January 9th we fly out to Honduras…but I don’t have some countdown on my phone or marking days off on my calendar for it.
In fact, I have to be completely honest and admit there are days I even forget I am going on the World Race. Don’t get me wrong now! I am BEYOND excited for it and still have preparations to make before I leave, but I am really enjoying and investing in the ‘here and now’. So what have I been up to? Well let me give you some quick updates:
#1) A huge THANK YOU to everyone who has supported me so far! I have now crossed over the $11,000 mark. You guys are unbelievable! God has continued to provide in amazing ways, whether it’s through close friends and family, people I haven’t seen in a few years, or complete strangers. This World Race is not only my journey, but yours as well. Each of you are invested in my trip!
#2) I am half way into my 4 week job with Samaritan’s Purse. If you are not familiar with the ministry ‘Operation Christmas Child’ you need to give it a google search and become a part of it next year! Each year over 9 million shoe boxes are collected, each one filled with toys and materials for children. They are given to children in need all over the world, and used as a way to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am one of the volunteer trainers and facilitators for the Boone, NC processing center…each day is incredible chance to minister to the volunteers coming in (over 8,000 in 4 weeks) and be a part of such a wonderful and impacting ministry.
#3) I had a great Thanksgiving with my parents, brother, sister and grandparents. It was the first time my immediate family was all together in the past 16 months.
#4) In the last few weeks I have eaten large amounts of ice cream, pecan pie, peanut butter, and any other sweets you can think of. Everyone says guys lose weight on the Race so I figure it’ll all disappear over the next 11 months. 🙂
So where does all that leave me now?
- Two more great weeks of working at Samaritan’s Purse.
- Christmas with the family all back together again.
- A lot more sports to watch and food to eat before I make that trip to launch.
Sure my list of things to do with World Race preparations has stuff on it. Paper work to do. Things to sell. Things to buy. Packing to attempt. The list is actually pretty full.
I’ll be slowly working through those things as December proceeds to fly by! In the meantime I am going to enjoy each day the Lord provides.
As always, if you guys want to financially support my trip there is a link at the top page of the blog! However, you can also support me and my squad through prayer and encouragement..an equally important and often overlooked part of mission trips.
I hope yall had a blessed Thanksgiving!
“Eyes gazing across the field miss the flowers blooming at our feet.” – Me. Thought I would say something that sounded poetic and thoughtful.
