A couple of deets (that's short for 'details') I want to address beforehand..
- If you find yourself here, puzzled but intrigued, from a questionable email – please stick around. All it means is that I added your email address to my blog updates… without your permission BUT you have either supported me financially or I've met and talked with you about the Race or I would just love for you to join me on this journey. Either of those are all valid reasons for me to add you to this blog! Of course, I like to consider myself a gentleman so in order to unsubscribe, you can go here. I sincerely hope you do not!
- I recognize my failures of blogging for my supporters. As much as I would looove for you to be mesmerized by what I'm personally learning, you're walking with me in this adventure. So I will try to take you on the journey of the Race and not just the journey of my mind. Fair warning: they will overlap a little. But it will be a little easier once I'm actually on the Race (Launch in 5 days!) with some beautiful stories to tell.
- If you do want to read more reflections I will most likely be ruminating here most of the race, at my thinking spot. It'll mainly be a spot for me to record my personal growth and lessons learned and experienced. You're more than welcome to stroll through my ponderances (is that even a word?).
- Lastly, and probably most importantly, we're walking in this together, so please – make this a conversation and comment! I don't want to be the yapper in this conversation because I'm not a yapper in person – trust me; that's a true statement. And please let me know how I can pray for you specifically. I plan, and have already begun, to pray for yall once a week, so comment or message me ways I can lift you up. This is never meant to be a one-sided relationship in any aspect, so please, let's not make it one.
And without further ado.. here's what's going on in the 'deep breath before the plunge', as one of my squad mates would say.
Gosh, I'm waaayyy behind in letting you know what's going on. Some are some highlights:
My launch date is July 2nd starting in Washington, D.C.! We'll be there for a few days with what I think will be more country and culture specific training as well as some logistics and administrative deets (you got that right?). That's a measly five days away which means a little more than a week left in 'Merica. Wow. I'm thankful for these next few days of rest.
Taking into account one time donations and the sum of my monthly supporters, I am $1,300 away from being fully supported! Thank you so much!! The gratitude that fills my heart, by your monetary support and your prayers, is inexpressible. Seriously, words fail me in moments like this. I'm appreciative of your faithfulness and your obedience. Thank you for being the Body.
I am also pleased and proud to introduce to you my nephew!
Judah Obi Wong.. awww wook at da widdle cutie!
And one of the best pictures of 2012 (like father, like son)..
The Father's good gifts are evident in more ways than one. My sister-in-law was originally due July 21st. Judah was born June 20th. Yeah, four and a half weeks early. Even after having a virus both mom and baby are healthy! It's been an absolute blessing to see my nephew and being able to hold that precious baby in my arms right before I leave has been.. words indescrible. This is especially special because I already resigned myself to not seeing him in person until a year from now. Thank You, Papa, for Your blessings!
And having moved back to High Point two Saturdays ago to regroup, consolidate, and plan, I thought two weeks would be plenty of time. Unfortunately, things have been a whirlwind of making sure last minute deets (I am killing it with these abbrevs (abbreviations!)) are taken care of, last minute gear is bought, last minute sifting through items is done, and last minute investing in people is initiated. But as I've mentioned previously in the past two posts, it's all been a choice. Do I choose to read and write and study and invest in the things here and now or watch a movie? Do I go play disc golf instead of writing thank you notes? And most importantly, do I choose to wake up in the early moments to spend time with the Father in the quiet – just to be with Him?
I have five days left in North Carolina, and it seems like I have a lot to do. But it will get done, one way or another, some how, some way. Five days – five days of resting and waiting and being; five days to leverage time into investing and pouring into people; five days to position my heart in a manner characterized by the angels, creatures, and elders who have spent eternity past and will spend eternity future speaking of the goodness and the holiness of God. Basically, five days of opportunity. Let me not waste these next five days, Spirit.
I'm grateful for each one of you. As I'm learning more about my role as just a piece of the greater puzzle, please know that you have each been a piece in my life puzzle that would never reach completion without you.
Thank you for your words of encouragement and your intentional investment in my life.
I'll update one last time in America before I head to India! Woop woop!
