Hello!
To begin: please watch this You tube video. It is an excellent preface for the rest of this bog….AND it will make you laugh. 🙂
Okay. Excellent! So, I hope you truly enjoyed this video from TedTalks featuring Shawn Achor.
The reason I love this video is because since watching it, I have been unable to stay in a negative mindset for more than an hour or two. Why?
My life has opened up to me, and I feel ever presently involved in evaluating my perspective. I am inherently aware of any new stress / tension and instead of giving into it on impulse, I have begun to break it down objectively and resolve the inner turmoil through meditation on the many daily miracles that God is performing in my life. I am working to retrain my brain so it will match my heart's true enthusiasm for this trip.
Like the students at Harvard who aren't able to see the positivity of their current surroundings, the beauty in their opportunity, or develop a deeper hunger for knowedge…I have found myself in many moments stressed, cranky, irritable and frustrated with all of the work that goes into preparing my life to serve across the world.
Medical expenses, legal documents, physicals, gear cost, fundraising, etc. it is easy to get wrapped up in the new challenges that I have faced and allow the stress consume me…but
….. Ain't nobody got time for that!!!!
Committing to the World Race is something that I thought would be the end all, be all, perfect answer to my stress. I thought it was the happiness maker…the final target that I was aiming for. Low and behold those targets started changing the second I was accepted. – I was wrong.
then: not enough time. sleep. money. blah blah blah
now: thankful.
May we all remember that there is and always I'll be something new to stress about.
Where you are today was where you wanted to be yesterday.… Enjoy that. Revel in the blessings. Focus on what you can do!
>> Miracles in June <<
~ $700 raised in my first yard sale!
~ Was provided with Tons of samples for free- sunscreen,lotion,etc.
~ Pinched nerve- Met Dr. Buckner. Resolved my pain, is selling my paintings at his practice, and will host a dinner gala at his restaurant for me to help w fundraising.
~ Met Dr. Charles from an urgent clinic in Madison and he prayed over me for my trip and shared with me this beautiful verse: exodus 23:20
~ Sold about 8 paintings and was commissioned for 3 large canvases
~ Purchased my home for the year!
~ had 6 items purchased from my gear registry!!
~ began running/weight training again
~ My mom's boyfriend Jim has been sharing creative tips and tricks about living life as as a minimalist with me.
~ I have been spending more time with my Grandfather, and have been able to help him with yard work
~ I downsized by half and reorganized my closet!!!
~ I finished "7" by Jen Hatmaker
~ I was gifted an incredible multitool, TURQUOISE Nalgene bottle, and first aid kit
~ I left my job earlier than anticipated, and have truly begun learning to depend on the provisions of The Lord
~ I was blessed with an incredible team at work that provided me so much encouragement when they found I would be leaving early.
~ my malaria meds ended up being $430 instead of $2800
~ My mom and I had a girls night out at a belly dancing showcase at The Flying Monkey Arts and had a blast!
~ I've been learning the waltz!
~ I have been able to bond with and spend time with my brother at "My Time With Friends"
"See, I am sending an angel before you to protect you on your journey and lead you safely to the place I have prepared for you." – exodus 23:20
Thank you for joining me in sharing love, hope, and compassion for 11 months in 11 countries to the sick, the hurting, the orphaned, the hungry, and the rejected in:
Ukraine – Romania – Nepal – Uganda – Rwanda – South Sudan – Malaysia – Cambodia – Thailand – India – Philippines.
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— I will make more updates here than anywhere else! 😉
If you're interested in partnering with me financially in this ministry please click the link on the left titled " Support Me! " or cut out the 3% processing fee by mailing a tax deductible check payment with "JENNYGAGE" in the memo line to
Adventures In Missions
P.O. Box 534470
Atlanta, GA 30353-4470
If you would like to help support me in this ministry by helping with my gear costs, I have a gear registry at
www.myregistry.com/public/JennyGageWorldRace
