Dear friends, family, and supporters,
I’m writing this out of both a full heart and sadness. The plan was to complete the World Race. This past week I have been at training camp preparing for the mission work we would soon do.
Training camp was a whirlwind in it’s self. We met our squad and in less than an hour of first meeting we became a family. A family where laughter could be shared, where we could be vulnerable, where we could cry together, and love together. To meeting our teams of eight wonderful people. To the girls that have forever laid their impact on me with their hearts, love and grace; Madison, Dan, SJ, Mackenzie, Selena, Alyse, and Ally. Everyone was eager to share, eager to give up their own comfort for another to have it. Everyone was quick to ask how you’re doing and ask to pray over one another. Never in my life have I witnessed a love and a community created so quickly and effortlessly. Never have I seen God move so many people, so preciously designed for each individual. I saw God in ways I have never seen him before. I saw things that have never been revealed to me before.
With all this being said I decided to pull out of doing the World Race. It was a really hard decision that I wrestled with and prayed over immensely. I asked him to give me peace with what he wanted. I found peace in the idea of going home and leave training camp early. This year I will be doing discipleship and christian counseling. I will also be completing college online to pursue nursing. This is all to strengthen my trust in God. Right now I know nine months is a long commitment. It’s something you need to be all in for. I knew mentally I was not ready to trust God that much to give it a 110%. I felt like it would be an injustice, not only to my team, but as well as the people and kingdom we would be serving. As hard as this decision was I found peace in being obedient to God and pressing pause on something great, and letting it turn into something greater when I become even stronger in my faith. There’s something about saying yes to listening to what the Lord is telling you. When he lays it on your heart it may not always be what you want, but in the end it’s what you need in the moment. He is a God that never leaves us. He is a God that never forsakes us. A God that loves us like no one else ever could. A father like no other father. So in this next year I will be focusing on believing I am worthy of being loved by him and being his daughter amongst so many others. I will focus on trusting his ways and word. I will focus on what it means to obedient, to give selflessly, to love with no ends, and to understand how to be the church no matter where you’re at.
To my wonderful squad:
You are so loved and so cherished. You will be carrying out God’s kingdom and he’s cheesing so hard right now. Looking down from heaven knowing soon everyone will know his name . So keep praising, keep loving, and most of all, keep saying “yes”. Yes to whatever is thrown your way. Go out of your comfort zone, be vulnerable with one another, and be content with whatever the situation is know he’s got your back. Yall’s lights are shining oh so bright. You’re living a life that’ll you’ll soon be leading so many people to. Know I am praying over your safety, over your hearts, and over your growth. You are so loved my friends.
To my wonderful team:
My oh so sweet, beautiful seven girls. You my darlings are so so loved. You have touched my heart in ways I never could’ve imagined. You have loved me in ways I never thought possible. You made goodbye the hardest and most bittersweet one i’ve ever had. In just an hour we were family knowing no matter what life throws our way we have one another. We will be sisters forever. I pray you can give one another comfort in the good times in the bad. I pray you know you always have a home in your father’s arms. I pray you know that no matter what your life is never measured by the good and the bad. I pray that you know you are perfect in the father’s eyes no matter what you do from here on out. I pray you always know you a have a friend to rest your head on when times get tough. I pray you find joy in the simplest things. I pray you find comfort in the broken places and know soon the good will be breaking down every wall you didn’t know you had. I pray you let the tears and laughter flow out of you because God hears and feels it all. I pray you feel the waterfall of love and presence that God is pouring over each one of your lives. I love each and everyone of you more than you will ever know. I’ll be here cheering you on over facetime, in prayer, and most of all through snacks and letters. Unfortunately I do not think steak tacos or buffalo wild wings will make it safely to where you are.
To my generous supporters:
Thank you so much. I know this is both hard to hear and understand. Unfortunately there is no way to refund the amounts you have so graciously given. The funds will be used to help support the work that the World Race is doing for so many people. I also will be using the funds from bracelets and tshirts to help support my teammates. So, if you still feel it on your heart to donate you can contact me and I can tell you how. If I do the World Race next year or in the years to come I do have an opportunity to gain a scholarship with the funds donated to me this year. I am truly sorry that I could not complete what I intended to do this year. If you have any questions at all please feel free to contact me at anytime! You all were on my heart in so many prayers. Thank you again for choosing to support me and the work I was going to complete.
As for now I am excited and embracing this next step with open arms and an open heart. God is good and he hasn’t failed me yet. For that I will continue perusing his kingdom and those in it. Thank you to those who have helped me get to where I am. I can’t wait to see where life takes me. His love never fails us.
