Hello everyone!
I cannot believe I was accepted on the World Race a little over a month ago already! Time has gone by so fast. I wanted to give an update where I am at in my journey of preparing!
I have had a huge range of emotions the past few weeks. I have mostly been all around stoked about this whole thing, but I have also had some downs. Stress has played a factor in it for sure. Speaking of the stress, I had my first dream about being on the World Race and I’ll just say it was stressful watching my gear get stolen and losing my team at the airport. Hopefully that will never happen! But all in all, I am so blessed by this opportunity and being able to tell people about it.
As of right now, I am 7.4% funded! Woo!! I know that number seems small, but I see it as God’s incredible provision so far and I know He is just getting started. I am currently in the process of a t-shirt fundraiser with the amazing help of a few friends and family members. Stay tuned for an awesome shirt!
I am going to be honest and say it has been very difficult trying to figure out fundraising and researching for gear I will need to get. I even mapped out a plan to help me stay on track with everything which had been stressing me out even more. But then… I got together with one of my amazingly incredible past team leaders recently and asked her advice on fundraising. She surprised me with the answer, “Oh, fundraising is the easy part! God has already called you to do this so, you just have to trust and believe He will provide.” I never thought I would hear someone say that fundraising is the easy part! Wow. But it is so true what she said. Thank the Lord for great Christian friends who support us and remind us of God’s provision right?! I am trying to practice just giving it all to God and know that He has called me to do this. He will provide. I know He will.
It’s been so amazing having people around me who are encouraging me, praying for me, and helping me through all of this. HUGE shout out to my roommate for letting me vent to her about everything everyday! You are the best!
Gear update:
I have only camped once in my entire life using my friend’s gear, so I am basically at an infant’s level of knowledge when it comes to camping gear. However! I bought my sleeping bag and tent and I am excited to test them out! For those of you who are interested, I got a women’s Marmot Trestles Elite Eco 30 sleeping bag and The North Face Stormbreak 2 tent. I am praying that they will work well for me as I practice with them this summer and while I am on the Race. If any of you have camping gear recommendations on sleeping pads, packs, daypacks, sandals, compression sacks, or any random things you’ve found through experience that you think I could benefit from using, please let me know!
Thank you for taking the time to read this! I love you all and I hope you are all doing well. Thank you guys so much for everything! I cannot express how much your encouragement and support mean to me.
With love,
Isabel
