Elisabeth asked me to create a blog post from a mom’s perspective of the Race. Where do I even begin?…
You know my feelings about this journey that Elisabeth is on probably really started many years ago when she was in high school and shared that this was something she wanted to do. At that time, it honestly truly scared me as I knew she was determined to fulfill that dream and anyone that knows Elisabeth knows that when she sets a goal, she works very hard and is determined to achieve it. Even from a very young age, she has been one with an adventurous spirit, outgoing, social, and involved with one activity after another. I remember her first day of kindergarten. I got to her classroom door, she was already steps ahead of me and with just a hand wave and no glance back, she just kept going full of excitement ready to begin her day and her new adventure of being in school.
Fast forward about 17 years with her just completing her last semester of college, I find myself in Atlanta, Georgia at the Launch of her 11-month journey. This is when it really hits me that this dream of hers has become a reality, and I’m not going to see my baby girl in person for the majority of the year 2019! So many emotions were part of those few days…. Sadness, excitement, fear, joy, anxiety, love, and happiness to just name a few! While at Launch, staff shared that parents would go on their own journey over the course of their child being away for so long. I really wasn’t sure that this would be the case for me.
As it turns out, I am on a journey. I believe a lot of it actually has to do with a word that Elisabeth received on a key that was specifically made for her and that she received at Launch….. FAITH. During Elisabeth’s first month away in Honduras, there was little communication with her due to limited wifi access. I had to rely on faith that she was safe and trust that all was okay. I like to know details, and needless to say to people who know me well, this was very difficult for me. I soon realized that all of this was completely out of my hands and that I couldn’t control or worry about anything related to Elisabeth or her travels. But instead, I had to rely on prayer and faith that she was and would be in God’s hands and protection.
With that being said, this is where I also began to think about betrayal and how I had turned away from worship activities over the past several years. Religion has been an important part of my life, however, several years ago, when working through a personal family event, I felt betrayed by my church leadership. When that happened, I stopped attending worship and never stepped through the doors of that church for a service again. This was painful as that church had been a part of my life for many years of my youth and adult life. I became disinterested in attending a church as my point-of-view of churches in general became jaded.
I never stopped believing; I stopped being…. Being connected. Being prayerful. Being faithful. In January, shortly after Elisabeth left, a dear friend invited me to go to church with her. Surprisingly, I excitedly accepted, and wouldn’t you know, my journey began! I realized that I’ve been missing the connection of worship through the message, music, prayer, fellowship, and communion. I know there will always be disappointments with a ministry establishment as people are human; not perfect. I know I can’t let those influence me to turn my back on my personal connection and worship with God.
My journey; Elisabeth’s journey: I see passion in Elisabeth’s eyes in a posted photo of her. Excitement in her voice when I get that unexpected phone call from her (which is such a gift). Joy that I hear in her laugh within a posted video. Passion in what she’s doing every day by being… Being connected. Being Prayerful. Being Faithful.
Through her example and God’s love, my journey continues by being mom and being more.
