I have dreamed of doing the World Race for about four years now. I have had a desire for missions in my heart for a long time. I remember dreaming of going, reading blogs for hours, and wishing it was my time to go. I was once the one wishing, hoping, and dreaming of doing missions, and I still can’t believe the time for me to go has finally come.
Yesterday, The World Race became so much more real because they released our launch dates! I will be leaving the country either September 5th or 6th to embark on the greatest adventure I have ever been on and take the love of Jesus to 11 different countries around the world. I am so excited, so passionate, and so humbled that I get this opportunity to share God’s love around the world! I still can’t believe this is actually happening.
I officially only have three weeks of work left and training camp is fast approaching just 23 days from today! Time seems to be moving so slow and so fast at the same time. I’m so eager, yet so torn at the same time. I have a lot of mixed emotions because I am letting go of so many things and people that I love, but looking forward to gaining much greater things and more people to love. I am abandoning everything I know for Jesus, but gaining so much more than anything I am letting go of because I am running towards Jesus.
One of my dear friends once said “Don’t take this the wrong way, but I think it’s okay to run away as long as you are running towards Jesus.” She didn’t mean to use the race as an escape, but she meant that running towards Jesus is worth it. No matter what we have to leave behind or what we have to sacrifice, it’s always worth it to live for Christ because we really gain everything when we have Jesus.
I have honestly been an emotional wreck the past few weeks. The realization that I have to say goodbye soon has started to hit me hard and deep. The thought of leaving my family, my friends, my dog, my home town, my favorite coffee shops and restaurants, my comfy bed, my warm shower, my dad’s soothing and encouraging presence, my mom’s strength and inspiration, my two sisters and little brother, the mountains I climb all the time, the lake I go to every summer, the cabin I stay in at my family’s ranch, the laughter and corny jokes of my best friends, my church and small group, and so many other countless things I love so much, has been on my mind a lot lately. Thinking of all the things I will miss dearly brings tears to my eyes, but thinking of all the things I will get to experience on the race brings eagerness and excitement.
I know that saying goodbye will be hard, challenging, and heart breaking. I realize all the things I will soon have to say goodbye to, but I also realize all the things I will soon get to say hello to. Through this experience, I will gain many more deep friendships, experience God in new and powerful ways, help and love those who are desperate and thirsty for Jesus, and grow in remarkable ways.
To me, it is worth it to say goodbye to everything and everyone I deeply love and cherish so that I can say hello to something even greater.
To me, Jesus is worth it.
He is worth far more than anything I could ever give up on this Earth. He deserves to have all of our hearts and lives because he gave up all of his life for us.
“Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.” -Matthew 10:39
**Fundraising update: I am now 58% funded and have raised $9,508. My goal is to be fully funded before I leave so that I can completely focus my heart and time on ministry while I am on the field. In order to reach that goal, I need to raise $6,759 by September 5th. If you would like to be a part of the last 42%, you can donate by clicking the “support me” button on the top right side of this page. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all my supporters! I love you all dearly.
