^^^Please enjoy my first VLOG as a World Racer! Giving you a sneak peek into my preparation for my fundraiser and for training camp! After watching it, read some of my thoughts on preparation for the World Race…
PREPARE.
It’s God’s word for me for the next three months as I get ready to head on this trip. I cannot just sit on my butt and then show up in January without having some sort of preparation- I don’t think I would make it!
Come to think of it, I am preparing in every area I feel I possibly can:
Mentally- I am reading recommended books, I am taking advice and listening to wisdom from past racers, and I am taking huge steps to take care of my mental health so my anxiety and depression don’t hinder my preparation or time on the race. I also just finished the book When Helping Hurts which is such an insightful read about helping the materially poor without hurting them or yourself in the process- that book has already helped me prepare in huge ways. I am learning about the countries and traditions and culture that I will be encountering so that I can go in with less surprises.
Physically- one of the requirements as a racer is being able to walk three miles in 40 minutes with your big backpacking backpack. I’m working towards that. Stay tuned for a future blog/vlog on that.
Emotionally- I’ve already got some amazing connections with some of the racers on my squad! We have group chats, and individual chats, skype sessions, prayer time- I think it’s incredible that we already have great connections and we haven’t even officially met eat other! I have accountability partners and people I can already open up to. I also know that my emotions will go on a roller coaster while I’m on the race and these friendships that I have already started will be my community to share, struggle, head wisdom, and be open about my struggles.
Spiritually- Constant communication with God, to my best ability. I ask questions like “How can I encourage my squad mates? ” or “How can I prepare for spiritual warfare?” I am currently reading through the Psalms and summarizing them to help facilitate my prayer life, me and my team have been reading through the gospels to take a better look on how Jesus did ministry, and of course, I am finishing up my Bible and Theology major at Multnomah University.
Financially- Well, God did a lot of the preparing for that! Used the body of Christ to allow me to be fully funded with $18,100. The finances that follow are the shots that are needed in each country, the rest of my gear (which you have already helped in big ways), a plane ticket from Orange County to launch in Atlanta in January, and money saved up for while on the race for basic needs and extra adventures.
Finally, TRAINING CAMP. Y’all, I have been looking forward to this day for months and months and months. In my squads group chat, we have daily countdowns. Today? The countdown is 19 DAYS!! Next month I will fly out to Georgia for a two week training camp to prepare us for the race. From what I have seen on videos and blogs, it’s INSANE. Squads Wars with cheers, colors, and competitions, practicing the dress code and customs of different cultures, trying the foods from different countries, and practicing hiking and tent making and sleeping in “airports”! It’s right around the corner so I am trying to finish getting the rest of my gear, practicing packing and hiking, and attempting to get some big papers and projects in before I do!
Preparation is so vital for this trip, so much so that at headquarters in Adventures in Missions, they believe we need 2 full weeks of praying, bonding, learning, worshipping, competing, failing, succeeding, and so much more!
A few things on my radar for the next few weeks before Training Camp:
MY OREGON FUNDRAISER! I am hosting another fundraiser (this time at my home in Damascus, Oregon) to help raise money for shots, gear, and that plane ticket for launch! Mainly, it will be a time of sharing and Q&A. I also would love my community here to surround me in prayer. I so look forward to it. There will also be some good fellowship, fun, a killer silent auction, and clothing exchange for the ladies!
Silent Auction items:
-hammock
-ukulele
-jewelry
-“travel” home decor
-Photoshoot by me ????
-paintings
-much more!
If you are in Oregon, come to 16137 SE Goosehollow Drive, Damascus OR 97089 on October 8th, 2017 at 5-7pm for a time of hearing my story, my heart, and finding creative ways to support me on the race!
GEAR!! One of the reasons we have training camp to know how to pack for the race so this is our practice! I also need to test out all of my gear. I don’t have it all yet! Almost there! There are only 9 items left on that list! Check out Facebook for more info!
COLLEGE! Training Camp comes in the middle of midterms- wooooo. Not fun. Which means that I have a shorter deadline for tests, quizzes, papers and projects to be turned in! Pray that I have good time management and discipline to get them done in time!
WORK! I work as a part time volleyball coach at a local high school! I love the ministry and coaching opportunity that I get to take part in and the season ends RIGHT before I leave. I hope that I can keep my focus, give my best to them, and finish the season well as a team!
That’s what the next few weeks of preparing looks like for me! Counting down the days till training camp!
This season is one of waiting for this big step, but this season is just as importsnt as my time on the race. I am excited to see how God works in me in this season of preparation.
Until then, All my love,
JJ
