Hello friends and family!
These past two months have been hard, but so so wonderful. As I sit writing this, my heart is broken for the people of Ubon that we had to leave behind. I am also grieving the end of a season with the sweetest team.. my Fierce Love. If you’ve communicated with me or seen my social media you’ll recognize their faces. I adore them wholeheartedly. These past three months we have lived in beautiful community with one another and they have taught me more about the love of the Lord than anyone else. They are my people. They are my very best friends. They love others and one another boldly. I will miss them more than I can put into words.
I am unable to experience his abundant life unless I experience the hard things first. Unless I sit in them with the Lord and process through the trials I’ve walked through, I won’t be able to experience the growth and the life the Lord breathes from them.
In 2 Timothy, Paul is writing the letter from his prison cell waiting to be beheaded by the Romans. Paul writes “Join with me in suffering for the Gospel” (2 Timothy 2:8). Paul knew what it was like to experience death before he could live in freedom with Christ. He was constantly being pursecuted and thrown in jail but as another accusation arose his fire for the Lord grew because he knew where life stood. I’m sure that in the days that led to Paul’s death he brought many things to the Lord and the Lord walked him through stages of grief so that he could continue to stand firm on the eternal life he was promised.
While I know my grief isn’t quite up to par with Paul’s, 2 Timothy shows me how important it is to encourage in times of hardship and show tenderness to people that you love deeply. With that, I give you a few things I have cherished the most about the last three months and the women I got to share life with starting with our youngest member..
My sweet Harlee Ann.
I can’t imagine McDonald’s nights, sweaty sleeping on top bunks, southern mom impressions, or life without you. You’re like a sister to me and I am so grateful for how close we became and your heart for children. I know you’re filled with the Lord’s goodness and I’m honored to be your teammate/bff. Love you always.
Lyric Housman.
Her love of punk rock plaid.Y’all. She is a good woman. I adore the growth I have seen in her. When I, myself, become worn she constantly breaths new energy into situations and can lighten up a room just by being there. She’s wise beyond her years and I will sit on the edge of my seat waiting to hear where she will go next, because I know she’s a world changer.
Lauren Garrison.
I appreciate you so much. You’ve taught me about community and friendship. I love your adventurous heart and I can’t wait to watch you travel the world. The Lord speaks to you in such clear, wonderful ways and the way you eloquently share his words floors me. I’m honored to have served under you as my team leader, and I love you to pieces.
Eliane Finschi.
YOU ARE SO WONDERFUL. I am so lucky to have been in your space the last three months. You’re attentive, kind, and oh so funny. Your laugh can take all the breath from a room. You give me motivation to remain level headed. I am a better woman than I was before I met you, because I spent quality time with you. Thank you for pouring into me so well.
Jazlyn Gonzalez.
Your love for people is radiant. You reveal new things about yourself every day. I am constantly learning from you and the way you show grace is so beautiful. You are a woman that I aspire to become more like in so many ways. People are drawn to you to your warm presence and I admire your joy with children. I love you so much and the lessons you’ve taught me are ones I will always cherish.
Emily Beck.
Jokes!!! Em and I are on the same team still! Yay! Three more months with my Wyoming bestie girl.
Since being in Thailand I’ve trekked with God through the mud. He goes before me offering me His grace and forgiveness. I followed step by step as he guided me out of shame and gracefully into freedom. He took me by the hand and washed the dirt from my body trial by trial. Life came in the form of an invitation. An invitation of extending the grace and forgiveness he so freely gave to me to people all around me. I was able to heal wounds and pray blessings. Being able to extend grace brings more life than being tripped up on flesh and bone.
My God has already cloaked me in white and proclaimed that I am his righteous daughter but it was only by trial that He brought me life. How grateful I am to know him personally and get to adventure with him for the next six months. Even in this season of transition, he goes before me and HE IS GOOD.
P.S. By the time I post this blog it will be my BIRTHDAY in Thailand time (12 hours ahead) so that’s exciting! Yay for twenty sweet years!
Fundraising!! I have officially reached $10,100!! What does this mean? This means I need only $3,705 more iby January 31st to reach my deadline! What happens if I do not reach the deadline? I will not be able to continue on the race with my squad. But here’s the cool part, I know, I KNOW I will reach that deadline so I am not worried. I watched my first goal go over $10,000 within 2 months so I know this second deadline will be a piece of cake! Because it takes around 7-10 business days to process online I am asking that any of you who want to see me keep going, giive by January 15th. If you would like to give, just click the donate button right above on this blog page! Talk about easy! If you would like to know when I post new blogs, just click “subscribe”
Thank You! Thank you to every person who gave financially, supported me through words of encouragement and prayer, and who helped get here. I honestly could not do any of this without you. Thank you for reading, God bless!
Peace and Blessings,
Elizabeth Harper
