Hello everyone. This is Kenni’s mom, Denise. Kenni sent me a message from a friend’s phone on Saturday night and asked me if I could do a “guest post” since she did not have wifi. So…of course I said yes. ?? Hope you enjoy!
I wasn’t sure what I was going to write. I have thought about it all day. While I was at church, I listened for anything that would be relevant. Everywhere I looked today, I tried to see some kind of inspiration. I wish I could say that I had an epiphany…but I really didn’t. However, I went back to Kenni’s message and what she had asked. She said to write about my side of things, what the race is teaching me, or maybe how I feel going into Christmas. Well those are all loaded questions, but I will give it a shot and try to tackle all three. Haha!
Going into the race I truly thought this was going to be a miserable time in my life. Kenni was one of my little sidekicks. We homeschool, so it meant that I was with my girls way more than most. She was finally at that age where she was really fun to just hang out with. Watch tv shows together and get the jokes that used to go over her head. Haha! When your kids are little…you enjoy that time…but you look forward to those times when you can do friend things. I will have to say though…it has been so much better than I thought it would be. Honestly, I have this overwhelming peace about her being there, her safety, and her experience as a whole. I know that is greatly in part to all of the people in my life that are praying for me. That does not mean that I do not miss the heck out of her! Oh man! There are days where it really is a struggle and I tear up or cry a lot. I just want a hug. I want to pick up the phone and hear her little voice. Text her. Ask how her day is going. I can’t do any of those things. I miss her!!
I have been encouraged by friendships with other race moms. Thank goodness for social media. We have been able to connect and share tidbits of info with each other. One mom may get a call and another may not. It is nice to know they are safe. Or to know what things they are doing in their ministry.
The race is teaching me patience for sure. Haha! It is hard to wait days to hear from her and to not know when the I will hear from her again. I am so type A. I admit, I like to know what is going on at all times. Haha! That is not even close to possible when your kid is on the race. And unfortunately, you just have to be ok with that. More than that though…you truly have to depend on God for peace and patience. You have to trust that your child is doing what God has called them to do. That you raised them to know Christ and to pursue Christ. I am not in control, God is.
Speaking of raising them, prior to Kenni messaging me, I was thinking about the people that have influenced her growing up. (I also ran into one of those people just yesterday.) Kenni has a fairly extensive list of people that influenced her and her pursuit for Christ in her life. We have had her in church since I was pregnant with her. Haha! I am afraid to list everyone for fear of leaving someone out…but let’s just say there are 18 years of people. ?? If you are reading this, you know who you are. And if you are one of those, please send Kenni an encouraging comment. Those mean so much to these kids that are out doing what YOU helped teach them to do. To GO and to TELL.
Ahhh…well that leaves us with Christmas! This has been the hardest part so far. Our little family traditions are feeling a little…less. We are all doing what we can to keep each other “up”…and we are doing a great job. But truly this is where we are feeling the biggest hole. All the things that we do together to get ready for Christmas: shopping, baking, singing, looking at lights, Biltmore House, wrapping gifts, black Friday, etc. I could go on but I am sure you get the picture. Haha! So much family time. Oh, and all her sweet friends that are coming home from college…that has added a bit of emotion. Three stopped by the other night. (I cried…shocker.) It was so sweet to have them here. Just felt…not right at the same time. So yeah…I am gonna be honest and say…I haven’t fully gotten my head around Christmas yet. I am taking it one day at a time. It has truly helped though that Kenni invited me to the Parent Vision Trip at the end of February. I have something to focus on and to look forward to. ?? (And to literally work extra for, it is an added expense.) On the Parent Vision Trip, you are going to see what your racer has been doing and you get to jump in and do it with them. It is a mission trip. I am excited to be out on the mission field with her. We started together many years ago and there is no one else I would rather do missions with. She is a rock star!
I would like to encourage anyone reading this to please pray for these kids. (Let’s face it. They will always be kids to their mommas.) They are a long way from home. They are doing kingdom size things over there. They are also still kids. They miss their families. Christmas will be hard for them too. Pray for them and send them messages. Even though they don’t have wifi at the moment, they will. To hear from you is just so encouraging to them.
All in all, we know that our hope lies with Jesus. We know that He is the way, the truth, and the light. We know that He called her out on this mission. We know that she is grounded in her faith. “Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord.” Thank you for taking the time to read this. ?? -Denise
