Hello.
It’s been a while.
What have I been up to you’re wondering? Well the closer the World Race gets the more I realize how real everything is. I went through this time period leading up to applying to be in The World Race where I was so excited about the possibility of going on this trip. It was always something on my mind, as many friends can attest. Then I applied and it all started to become real. Then I eventually got accepted and that excitement reached another level. This wasn’t just something I had hoped and prayed about anymore, but it was actually something I was doing. Then it hit… the reality. After being accepted for several months real life has started to kick in, and I realized all the sacrifices I’m going to be making. If you know me, you know that I don’t really need too much to be happy. I’m not an avid Starbucks drinker or cheese and cracker connoisseur (although I do love cheese and crackers). I’m not extremely concerned about things I’ll be giving up, besides Taco Bell.
But I started to realize how much I’m going to miss all the people in my life. I have such an amazing support group here at college and I just get more and more sad as I realize I’m leaving them. I have the best roommates in the world and honestly it bums me out I’m going to be away from them for almost a year. My family is also someone I’m going to miss. They’re always there for me when I need them, and I can’t imagine being so far away from them for so long. I also have the most supportive girlfriend and it’s going to be so difficult to leave her for 11 months. I want to be able to stay with everyone I love because that’s who I am. I’m someone who enjoys being around people and these are the people I’ve been with most of my life. Coming to terms with the fact that I’ll be leaving so many people makes me wonder would God call me to be uncomfortable and leave the ones I love to do his handiwork?
Yes. Yes he would. And that’s where I’m at currently. I’m coming to terms with that fact. I don’t view it in any way as God calling me away from people, but rather I view it that God is pulling me towards something. I don’t believe he’s pushing me away, but rather drawing me even nearer to him. It’s still something I wrestle with, but I’m starting to get better accepting that fact. Francis Chan has a quote in his book Crazy Love that goes like this “God doesn’t call us to be comfortable. He calls us to trust Him so completely that we are unafraid to put ourselves in situations where we will be in trouble if He doesn’t come through.” I think that’s what I’m currently learning. I’m learning to trust in God through each situation. The biggest situation for me right now is trusting that the Lord will provide for me financially. I see how much I’ve raised up to this point and I thank the Lord each day for all that he’s provided through my family and friends. If you have helped fund me thank you so so so much! I cannot express how much it means to have your support. (You should be receiving something in the mail shortly if you have funded me up to this point) It’s been such a learning experience to be let the Lord bless me through each of you. I am someone who loves to pour out, but I rarely take time to be poured back into. (My girlfriend, Allison, can attest to that) I’m learning to trust in the Lord that he will provide for me as I know he will.
The title of the post is Where Am I At and although the main spot I’m at currently is learning to trust in the Lord and understand that me leaving loved ones is not a bad thing, I’m also at the point where I need to kick it into gear. THIS IS THE YEAR I LEAVE!! 2017 is going to be a huge year for me and I have a lot to do leading up to the Race. If you know me you know that I’m an avid procrastinator and for a trip like this that’s not something I can fall into… I’ve actually made a schedule for the things I need to do and if you know me, you know that’s a pretty big deal. I have fundraisers to plan, shots to get, meetings to set up, gear to buy, blogs to write, etc. I have a long list of things to do, and if I didn’t make a schedule I would put these things off until the last minute. And frankly I can’t do that, especially for a trip like this. So the exciting thing for all of you reading this is that you will be blessed with seeing me post on social media (and this blog) more consistently. The less exciting part is I may annoy you and for that I do not apologize;)
To sum things up keep your eye out as I should be posting a fundraiser within the next week! I also am currently writing a magic show fundraiser which I will debut either in February or March. You will hear more about that as it gets closer! Keep me in your prayers as I’m preparing for this trip and tell ALL of your friends. The more people that know and are praying for me the better. Love you all!
