3…2…1…
Well, here we go! I must preface the rest of this blog in saying that I am NOT a blogger! However, I’m going to put on my best happy face and get through it. There’s nothing I want more than for my friends and family to get to “experience” my travels and this seems to be the best way to do so.
My name is John and I was born and raised in Lexington, Kentucky. You may disagree, but I believe that Kentucky is the best place in the world to live! From the nostalgia of the horse farms, the rolling hills of the Bluegrass, to the Red River Gorge, yes, we have it all (even shoes!). I have an older brother who lives in Nashville and we were raised by a single mom who is now a retired police officer. There was nothing better than riding in the back of the police car as kids banging on the windows acting like prisoners. It’s the little things that make me happy. My dad is a retired fireman so I guess you could say that the adventure bug runs in the family and I’ve been bitten hard! I LOVE adventure, traveling, and doing things that most people can only dream of. I’m definitely not a talker – I’m a doer. If I want to go somewhere or do something with my life then I make it happen. I think that’s how God wants us to live – radically. He’s given us a sense of adventure and heroism. After all, we’re created in the image of the One who shaped and molded the earth with his very own hands. Of course I would want to explore it!
Being 27, I think I’m one of the oldest racers on the race and I sincerely wish I could say I’m bringing most of the wisdom and maturity on the trip – but my friends would probably disagree. 🙂 This may seem like an odd time to abandon the comfort of my adult life, but I think it’s PERFECT timing because it’s God’s timing. Since college, I’ve seen God map out his purpose for me. I graduated from Eastern Kentucky University in 2005 with a BS in Parks and Recreation and again in 2006 with my MS in Parks and Rec (see a theme?) So how does one successfully major in parks and rec? Well, you play alot of football, ultimate frisbee, and hopscotch. Just kidding….kinda. Actually parks and rec encompasses everything I love – community, leadership, stewardship, the outdoors, and adventure. It’s definitely where God wanted me to be. After graduation, I worked for the University of Kentucky as a 4-H and Youth Development Agent and LOVED every minute of it. It was definitely a dream job. But God was still pushing me forward into something crazier, bigger, and more out of my comfort zone than ever….
The past two years I’ve been the LifeGroups Minister at what used to be my home church. I was the preaching, teaching, leading guy that I never considered myself to be. God saw something in me that most people didn’t, and still don’t see – a leader for His kingdom. I was totally out of my element, but I knew I had been called for a reason. I knew what was impossible in me was totally possible with God. All that changed about 8 months ago. I read a book called “Truefaced” that changed my life forever. It encouraged me to be “real” (Imagine that, Christians being real) so I followed God on an incredibly hard journey that ended in a departure from my church. Although it’s a hard story to relive, I sense that some of you fellow racers will be exposed to what has become my crazy awesome testimony that exists only to Glorify God. One thing I have learned throughout this experience is the kind of Christ follower that I am so passionately driven to be. I have always had so much religion in my life that it has completely smothered any real relationship with my savior. Now, I know exactly who I’ve been called to be. I want to be the Jesus that picked up the adulterous woman from the ground, met and spoke with the woman at the well, and sought after the one sheep that had gone astray. I love Jesus and I love the church, but I think sometimes he shakes his head at what the church has become. My message is simple because His message was simple – the cross is for everyone and I think the world needs to be exposed to that simple truth. Just read Truefaced, it will flip your life upside down. 🙂
I’ll admit, I’m a ferris wheel of emotions when it comes to the WR! I’m scared, excited, nervous, anxious and pumped at what the Lord has in store for me and my fellow racers in the upcoming year. Luckily, I’m no stranger when it comes to traveling internationally so I hope that some of that experience comes in handy. I studied abroad in Europe in 2004 and have ventured to Mexico, Jamaica, and Haiti for mission trips. AHHHH! I can’t wait to see where God leads us next year! We can’t possibly fathom what God has in store for us!
Here’s some random facts about me:
- I have the coolest boxer in the world named Paris.
- I have traveled to 11 countries and can’t wait to add more to the list!
- I LOVE soccer and coach a team of 9-12 year old inner-city hispanic kids. Viva los Dynamos!
- I’ve backpacked through the Grand Canyon.
- I currently teach Parks and Rec at EKU.
- Seeing the word definitely spelled definately makes my skin crawl.
- I have the most eclectic taste in music ever. My ipod shuffle looks like this: Lion King, Guns N’ Roses, Kenny Chesney, Mozart, Aladdin, Chris Tomlin, Jay-Z, and who knows what else.
- If I woke up as Harry Potter in the morning I would be ok. Judge me if you must.
- I treat eating ice cream like an Olympic Sport and I’m proud to walk away with the gold.
- I know lots of girly things that guys shouldn’t. Sigh….
- I have the most awesome friends and family in the world.
- I’m a total history buff, or nerd, depending on how you look at it.
- I can’t wait to meet my fellow world racers!
Peace. Love. Jesus.
“God has a ticket of destiny with your name written on it – no matter how old, how broken, how tired or how frightened you are. No matter how many times you may have failed, God dearly longs for the day when he gets to hand you that ticket, smile, and whisper into your ear, “You have no idea how long I’ve waited to hand this to you. Have a blast! I’ve already seen what you get to do.
It’s better than you could have dreamed. Now hurry up and get
on that train. A whole lot of folks are waiting for you
to walk into your destiny and into their lives.”
Truefaced
It’s better than you could have dreamed. Now hurry up and get
on that train. A whole lot of folks are waiting for you
to walk into your destiny and into their lives.”
Truefaced
