A sweet friend recently gave me a gift that had a map of the world on it and also written on it was “Go Find Yourself.” This is also the same friend who I had a very powerful conversation with the night I decided to apply for the World Race. Although I don’t have the words to say how thankful I am that God spoke to me through this friend- I do have the words for what God taught me through this. The World Race doesn’t need me, I need the World Race.
As I prepare to leave in 4 short days to meet my team for the first time, I can’t seem to find the words for how incredibly excited I am, and the feeling of knowing that God has diligently hand-picked our team from all over the world to create the best team of missionaries that His people need. The Lord is sweet, and He is oh so good.
In exactly one week, I will be heading to a two week long training camp in Gainesville, GA, where I will be trained on how to live life on the field. Training camp is the beginning of this journey and finding myself. I am eager for the walls that I have built to come crumbling down in the Lord’s presence, I am ready for hurts to be healed, and for my passions to shine. I am ready for God to reveal so much to me, and I am ready to be who God has called me to be as part of P Squad.
I need the World Race… and it’s a BIG DEAL and very surreal that this is all happening so quickly. The last few years have been a time where I have lost myself. I am so thankful for this opportunity that God has given me to completely surrender and trust in Him- and most importantly; find myself again.
I never expected the World Race to be easy.. in fact, I knew it would be far from that. But I truly underestimated the power and effect that the World Race would have on me starting from the very first day I was committed. Each and every day is filled with thoughts regarding the race. Every store I enter my mind shifts to the race and what gear I need. Everything, and I mean everything I do, the World Race comes into my mind. Every meal, every morning, every night. This is how I know that God has chosen me to be a part of this team. I so desperately need what the world race has to offer me.
Yesterday, I began packing to move home. I have loved my time in Cincinnati, but there is no way to explain the feeling in your heart when you know that you are somewhere God doesn’t want you to be anymore. Starting to pack made me truly realize that this season of my life is close to over, and that this wasn’t the end, but only the beginning. This is possibly one of the hardest parts of preparing for the Race so far. Complete abandonment and trusting in God. The World Race means packing up my 3 bedroom house in boxes, renting a storage unit (if you know me, you know how much stuff I have and that Hobby Lobby is my best friend), and moving back to my hometown and in to my parents house to share a room with a sibling. While I am ever so grateful that they are welcoming me with open arms, it is hard. I don’t know if I am ready to know what it feels like to go from completely living on your own for two years, to living with your parents and 5 other siblings again. But I am sure the power of the World Race far outweighs this small sacrifice and I know that this is all a part of God’s plan in this process. This is only the beginning of the sweet sacrifices and surrender. This is why the World Race is huge to me. This is why the World Race means complete surrender. Complete trust. Complete faith.
I often can’t find the words to explain how ready I am for this journey. I am ready to find myself. I am ready to allow my heart and passion for Christ and His beloved people to shine so viciously through every action, every breath, and every moment of my life.
I can’t wait to share with you all how God has moved and in what ways he shown through Training Camp. It is going to be such an experience that I so desperately need in this time in my life. I am ready Jesus. Ready for you to work through me in incredible ways over these next few weeks.
In the meantime, I am still fundraising, and am very close to $8,000.. which is a little over HALFWAY!! PRAISE GOD! Please keep me in your prayers as I go to training camp on Monday, and as the Lord works in me.
Upcoming fundraisers include:
-Yard Sale (July 8th)
-Bake Sale (August 6th)
-Golf Tournament (August 12th)
Thank you for being a part of this journey with me… it has only just begun!
