I can remember when I first was accepted into the race back in October. I was excited to start the journey and was very slow paced getting on the ball with everything because I thought I had so much time to get ready. Well I’m sitting here in my room looking at my packed bags that will go with me to training camp next week. NEXT WEEK, like for real I cannot believe it. In just 10 days I get to meet my wonderful squad mates in person…FINALLY! I am excited, overwhelmed, nervous, and feel like I might explode at any moment.
Everything is becoming so real now. The closer the time gets the more overwhelmed I become. Just last night I was practicing putting up my tent so I wouldn’t be “that girl” at camp who can’t do it and I just started crying. Tyler was like what is going on and I just went on about how this is going to be my home and how much I am going to miss my family. Being able to look over and talk to my sister about anything, to have my dad hug me every night before he goes into work and here his awful corny jokes, and hearing my mom horse laugh. I’m going to miss going out to eat or just hanging out with my friends. I am missing birthdays, anniversaries, and graduations. It hurts so much sometimes but I know that God has called me to the World Race for a reason. That life is more than family and friends and being comfortable. It is about serving, loving, forgiving, reaching out, rescuing, and teaching. There is so much that I need to learn and experience so that my relationship with the Lord will grow stronger and stronger.
This journey so far has taught me so much about myself. God has been revealing things about me that I never even knew. I did not know I had the drive or the strength to get to this point. I have been disappointed, scared, sad, and anxious. I have also been blown away, excited, joyful, and at peace. God has not left me at any point since I joined the race and He has provided and surrounded me with amazing donors and prayer warriors along the way.
I have been reading blog after blog that racers on the field are currently posting. I’ve read stories of chains being broken, an abandoned child being loved on and encouraged to be the best that they can be, of heartbreak, and of healing. God is doing things we could not even imagine and I am so excited to be apart of it. I know that I will leave for the World Race this July as one person and come back completely changed. I am praying that God will break my heart for what breaks His, to strip me down of the way I view myself and allow me to see myself the way He does, to not be afraid of failure, to teach me to love unconditionally, and to fully rely and give all control to His plans.
I met with the missions pastor, Brad, at my church (Faith Promise) today. He was just asking what all was going on, how I was feeling, and how funding was going. We started talking about the first time I came to his office all freaked out because I wasn’t sure I could meet my first deadline of 3,500 dollars. We just laughed because I am now only 200 away from meeting my second deadline of 7,500 due in July. I am already surpassing deadlines! I never thought in a million years that I could raise 7,500 dollars. I am still only 50% of the way, but God has opened up so many doors and put so many people into my life to get me to where I am. He has shown me over and over again just how Faithful He really is. I am in awe of His love, mercy, and grace. I am so undeserving of this but He has chosen to use me anyways.
I just want to take a minute to thank those that have reached out to support me so far. Thank you so much to :
The William’s, Smith’s, Shreve’s, Griswold’s, Beeler’s, Veran’s, Kilby’s, Stephen’s, Patton’s, Reed’s, Joseph’s, Cole’s, Breaux’s, Willingham’s, Lemon’s, Roger’s, Gooden’s, Savannah Rucker, Bekah Swanson, Tim Hatch, Faith Promise, Otterbein Methodist Church, Chick-fil-a, and the Cupcakery.
Also thank you to everyone who has purchased a T-shirt from me or donated to my garage sale. It has helped more than you know.
Finally thank you to everyone who cannot donate that has been praying over me and my team and this journey. Your prayers have pushed me through hard times and taken me farther than I thought I could ever go.
I am so thankful to have each and everyone of you going on this journey with me. Every prayer, donation, or sponsorship is going to save and change lives all over the world. You did this. You are making this happen. You are changing lives. You are serving the kingdom!! It’s a beautiful and amazing thing!
Continue to be lifting up my team and I as we leave for training camp in Georgia next week. We are all anxious and excited. We don’t know what to expect but know that God is going to show up and big things are going to happen! Pray that God’s will be done and that we live a life undaunted!! Love all of you and praying over you always! Thank you so much!
