Hello Friends!
It’s been a little while since I have made time to sit down and post an update on life and pre-race endeavors. As of this week…I am officially DONE with Student Teaching! Ah, It’s crazy, bittersweet, surreal and unbelievable all at the same time. This semester went by incredibly fast and while I have enjoyed every single minute of it with my kids I am definitely ready to hit the ground running with some FUNdraising events and other means of getting prepared for launch in JULY(that’s two months away, WHAT.)
When I started my senior year of undergrad back in August, the one thing that I wanted to be able to remember my last year at UTSA being marked by was my relationships. That has definitely been so prevalent and a huge blessing. The amount of support, encouragement, and prayer that my friends and family have shown me on a daily basis continues to blow me away. The Lord has taught me so much about how we were made to live in community with one another…we need to have people in our lives no matter what kinds of personalities we possess…it’s part of what we were made for. I have wondered so much why I haven’t gotten to the “overwhelmed and pulling hair out” stage like I hear so often that student teaching causes one to do and I sincerely owe it all to the beautiful people in my life and the wonderful God I love and serve. My supervisor is amazing, my principal is one of the hardest working people I’ve ever met, my friends always know how to have a good time on the weekends and love to pray.
I can’t say I’ve had the most unique journey or all of these enormously amazing stories whilst fundraising but what I find tremendous joy in on the daily grind are all what I call “little victories.” And the fact that I can give The LORD %100 percent credit for making it this far. He is Faithful. I call them little victories because there will always be something to complain about but instead of thinking about the negatives I have found this semester to be so sweet because of all the beautiful things I can count on that happen every hour, every day, all throughout the week. I remember when I left for college an old friend and my mom had both told me to “Remember all the small things because when you look back you’ll realize they were really big things.” I didn’t understand what that quote meant then but am able to sit back and enjoy the truth of that statement now.
Moving forward, I’m glad that I will have time to not only have ways to raise money, but dive into the Word more often and be more intentional with the friendships with my teammates.
WAYS YOU CAN HELP
Prayerfully-Prayer is the most essential thing for a trip like this…yes, even more than money. Prayer and constant communion with The Lord is life. Please pray for ways that I may be able to bless others by any means or gifts that I have (time, music, words, service). I don’t believe that the Lord is just blessing me with support on this trip so I can hoard it for myself, but to pay it forward; to encourage others in their faith or love/serve someone where they’re at and of course always pave ways to share the gospel. Financially-I’m nearing 50% fully funded!! That is AWESOME and I’m incredibly grateful! It seems like I am so close to the goal. There are two fundraisers set in stone coming up.
This Friday May, 2nd at Freedom Cup I’ll be playing some live music from 6:00-8:00pm and then Tuesday, June 3rd I’ll be playing at Fralo’s from 7:00-9:30! If you or anyone that you know would like to come and support that would be amazing!
Also, on the subject I have to get some gear (tent, backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping pad). If you feel led at all to help out with purchasing those items or donating money towards purchasing them, please let me know or email me for details at [email protected]. I’m a minimalist and am not buying anything for comfort or excess-just bringing the BARE minimum and that in itself is becoming a little expensive, so anything helps!
So far I have about $7,798.09 raised. That’s pretty amazing-Praise The LORD. I can be fully funded by JULY 2014 if I can find 170 people to pledge a one time $50 donation or just 85 people to pledge a one time $100 donation.
Thank you so so much for your prayers and considerations. I couldn’t have made it this far without everyone’s help and I definitely can’t do anything apart from The Lord (John 15:5).
Grace and Peace,
Kelsey
PS-Hope you like pictures!
