Friends and family–
I Launch for the World Race in less than 10 days! This will probably be my last post from America and just has some quick updates about my summer.
I finally completed the long-awaited move back to Wisconsin (move number 13) on Tuesday! It was a good trip and hopefully one of the last times I have to drive from Fargo to southern Wisconsin.
Saying goodbye to my friends in Fargo was hard and definitely hurt more than I thought it would. But each time I said goodbye to one more friend I was reminded of what God was calling me to do– to fully count the cost of what this next year will take from me, and to embrace everything it will give me and the things I will learn.
My best friend from college
My first small group through Chi Alpha during college
After two years of working at Mehl’s Bakery my last day was this past Friday. My co-workers and bosses threw me a mini-going-away party, surprising me with a cake and card. I felt so incredibly loved and supported by my bakery family!
Some other exciting logistical news:
I HAVE FULLY PAID OFF ALL OF MY STUDENT LOANS!!
I am 100% DEBT FREE and incredibly excited to have achieved this shortly after my 20th birthday! It feels so, so good.
Additionally, I am only $416 away from being FULLY FUNDED!
The cost of my trip is $15,800, and with roughly $200 of support coming in monthly until my final deadline (January 13th) and a current standing of $13,259, I am SO CLOSE to being fully funded! I would LOVE to begin my race without having to worry about support raising while I’m on the field, so if you would like to make a donation I would SO appreciate it!
God has taught me so much through support raising and what it really means to step out in faith. There’s no way I could have raised $16k during this past school year, even when working full time this summer.
Above all I have learned that He is good– so, so good, and faithful, and willing.
God has provided over $13,000 since I began support raising only seven months ago!
Add in the cost of my loans and He has given me over $20,000!
All I can say is how overwhelmed I am by the goodness my Father.
And despite the hard goodbyes to my family and close friends, I know there is still more to come.
I haven’t even left the country yet and I am stunned with what the Farther has done through seven short months.
I can’t wait for the next nine.
My parents and I leave for Launch in Atlanta, Georgia on September 9th, and after a few days of sessions, trainings, and last minute preparations my squad and I take off for Guatemala.
Please pray for us and continue to support us, whether it’s financial, spiritual, or emotional.
I can’t speak for my entire squad, but I know that I am nervous and anxious about the next nine months. Saying goodbye has been difficult, but I know the things God is going to ask me to do overseas will be even more difficult, so please pray for us to fulfill what God is asking us to with the best of our ability.
Pray that we will be reminded that we aren’t leaving home, and that in fact home is coming with us, because wherever we are, He is also.
love, erika
