Proverbs 16:9
“The heart of a man plans his way; but the Lord establishes his steps.”
This verse couldn’t be more perfect. You will see why. 🙂
GOD IS SO GOOD!
After my initial shock of re-entry…
…actually, lets not skip the goodness of that just yet. My first month back was insane. Or I should say that I felt insane. I never thought coming back into the US would be so difficult. Reverse culture shock is way worse than what I experienced on my way out.
· 1st of all I thought our family cat Milo was over weight (I had been so used to seeing malnourished animals).
· 2nd I was digging TP out of the trash vs. out of the toilet.
· 3rd I couldn’t figure out how to concentrate on the conversation in front of me because I had forgotten how to tune out other English speakers at restaurants.
· 4th I got caught starring all the time.
· 5th When a sales clerk said “Hi, how are you?” I heard, “I’m interested in your life, lets start a friendship.”
· 6th It was a conscious effort not to hug strangers children or lightly reprimand them when they were acting crazy in public.
· 7th I responded to people in Spanish- either audibly or translated it in my head before realizing I could answer in English (This was probably the strangest of them all and made for really awkward pauses)
Eventually, I looked at my sister Kalise after 3 weeks being home and said, “I feel like a Martian. Do I seem like a Martian to you?”
She graciously laughed and said, “NO!” That was so relieving.
While going through this… I had the inevitable question pounding in the back of my head… “What’s next? What’s next? What’s next?!?!?!” Yikes!!!
Well I had a few things going through my head.
· First was- maybe I should take the winter to be a snowboard instructor/ or work at a snow resort and then the summer to be a camp counselor. Even typing it out sounds cool, but didn’t feel right.
· Second I thought about starting my career in the fashion industry again, but this time in NYC. The catch was that I wanted to be with my family for the holidays so I wouldn’t be looking to move there until January. I remember one night praying about my next steps and hearing God say, “Do you really want to move to NY in the snow?” ‘Good point! Absolutely not!’ I thought.
While these ideas passed through my mind I always had this thought (which actually started in Mozambique – month 4 of my September race), ‘What about going back out and squad leading?’ 'Really? Did I hear that correctly?' You want me to go back out with 2 other leaders for 4 months and lead the next generation of World Racers? (Insert BIG, HUGE smile!!)
That sounds awesome (and slightly overwhelming, since I am still trying to have a normal conversation with someone at the grocery store)! The overwhelming part kind of over powered for awhile, so I didn’t pursue applying right away. But that didn’t stop God’s persistence. The month I returned home, our church did a study on the book of Jonah. Haha! I love God! The message couldn’t have spoken more loudly. By week 3 I was applying to squad lead. And 11 days later I was chosen with 2 others to lead 2nd generation P squad in January 2013 to South Africa, Swaziland, Mozambique and INDIA! I capitalize INDIA because there was a time on the race that I told God (I know sounds silly right) that the next place I want to go is India and I didn’t plan on going anywhere else. Well what did He do? He set me up with a squad going to India during their first 4 months. I felt like He was answering my prayers and saying, “Trust Me, this is what I have for you.”
This is not just a call to be obedient. I am not going in kicking and screaming. This is something that has actually been on my heart for about 10 months and God has opened the door for me to do it. AMEN!
So, why would I want to do this? Why would I want to risk getting malaria again, sleep with bugs and eat way too many carbs that my body knows what to do with?
I learned so much on my original race that I want to continue walking in and sharing it with others. I believe my journey of learning to Walk in my true identity of who God says that I am will have an impact on the people on my squad. I look forward to speaking truth into their lives where lies once stood. Empowering them to use their God given gifts (realized or not) in ways that they never dreamed of (for me it was getting up and giving a message to a congregation while speaking through a translator). These are amazing individuals that I am going to get to share life with. I look forward to being a part of God’s plan to raise up and mobilize leaders in this group and be their for their process of going from self reliance to God dependence.
I also get to keep learning, keep depending, keep growing in the Lord and into the person God has created me to be! (There is freedom there)
I look so forward to this and once again, I can’t do this alone, nor would I want to.
Prayer is Huge! If you could be praying for financial support to come in, that I don’t get pulled down by the enemy’s lies, that I am diligent about prayer and meditation for the squad, myself and our time away, that I continue to keep my eyes on Christ and follow the Lord’s lead and that I lead from a place of love and grace.
If you could commit to commenting on my blogs (doesn’t have to be all of them) or encouraging me by email. Your words are so encouraging and life giving especially when spiritual warfare is high.
And as mentioned above, I am raising financial support. I will need to raise $6,550 to cover all flights, travel insurance, training camp fees and my launch and return flights. Food and lodging will be covered by the squad. If you would like to support me… please click the, “Support Me!” link on the left hand side under my picture and follow the prompts. You may either pay online or by mail (both directions are listed there). If you chose to pay by web; under the heading “choose program,” please select “Support a world racer” and then write in my first and last name on the line below. Please do not feel like any donation is too small. All gifts from the heart are greatly appreciated! I will keep you up to date on the money coming in. I currently have $500 in my account and will need to have an additional $3,000 by January 1st.
Thank you! I’m so excited to finally be able to share this with you and have you be a part of this next journey. God bless you!
“The heart of a man plans his way; but the Lord establishes his steps.”
This verse couldn’t be more perfect. You will see why. 🙂
GOD IS SO GOOD!
After my initial shock of re-entry…
…actually, lets not skip the goodness of that just yet. My first month back was insane. Or I should say that I felt insane. I never thought coming back into the US would be so difficult. Reverse culture shock is way worse than what I experienced on my way out.
· 1st of all I thought our family cat Milo was over weight (I had been so used to seeing malnourished animals).
· 2nd I was digging TP out of the trash vs. out of the toilet.
· 3rd I couldn’t figure out how to concentrate on the conversation in front of me because I had forgotten how to tune out other English speakers at restaurants.
· 4th I got caught starring all the time.
· 5th When a sales clerk said “Hi, how are you?” I heard, “I’m interested in your life, lets start a friendship.”
· 6th It was a conscious effort not to hug strangers children or lightly reprimand them when they were acting crazy in public.
· 7th I responded to people in Spanish- either audibly or translated it in my head before realizing I could answer in English (This was probably the strangest of them all and made for really awkward pauses)
Eventually, I looked at my sister Kalise after 3 weeks being home and said, “I feel like a Martian. Do I seem like a Martian to you?”
She graciously laughed and said, “NO!” That was so relieving.
While going through this… I had the inevitable question pounding in the back of my head… “What’s next? What’s next? What’s next?!?!?!” Yikes!!!
Well I had a few things going through my head.
· First was- maybe I should take the winter to be a snowboard instructor/ or work at a snow resort and then the summer to be a camp counselor. Even typing it out sounds cool, but didn’t feel right.
· Second I thought about starting my career in the fashion industry again, but this time in NYC. The catch was that I wanted to be with my family for the holidays so I wouldn’t be looking to move there until January. I remember one night praying about my next steps and hearing God say, “Do you really want to move to NY in the snow?” ‘Good point! Absolutely not!’ I thought.
While these ideas passed through my mind I always had this thought (which actually started in Mozambique – month 4 of my September race), ‘What about going back out and squad leading?’ 'Really? Did I hear that correctly?' You want me to go back out with 2 other leaders for 4 months and lead the next generation of World Racers? (Insert BIG, HUGE smile!!)
That sounds awesome (and slightly overwhelming, since I am still trying to have a normal conversation with someone at the grocery store)! The overwhelming part kind of over powered for awhile, so I didn’t pursue applying right away. But that didn’t stop God’s persistence. The month I returned home, our church did a study on the book of Jonah. Haha! I love God! The message couldn’t have spoken more loudly. By week 3 I was applying to squad lead. And 11 days later I was chosen with 2 others to lead 2nd generation P squad in January 2013 to South Africa, Swaziland, Mozambique and INDIA! I capitalize INDIA because there was a time on the race that I told God (I know sounds silly right) that the next place I want to go is India and I didn’t plan on going anywhere else. Well what did He do? He set me up with a squad going to India during their first 4 months. I felt like He was answering my prayers and saying, “Trust Me, this is what I have for you.”
This is not just a call to be obedient. I am not going in kicking and screaming. This is something that has actually been on my heart for about 10 months and God has opened the door for me to do it. AMEN!
So, why would I want to do this? Why would I want to risk getting malaria again, sleep with bugs and eat way too many carbs that my body knows what to do with?
I learned so much on my original race that I want to continue walking in and sharing it with others. I believe my journey of learning to Walk in my true identity of who God says that I am will have an impact on the people on my squad. I look forward to speaking truth into their lives where lies once stood. Empowering them to use their God given gifts (realized or not) in ways that they never dreamed of (for me it was getting up and giving a message to a congregation while speaking through a translator). These are amazing individuals that I am going to get to share life with. I look forward to being a part of God’s plan to raise up and mobilize leaders in this group and be their for their process of going from self reliance to God dependence.
I also get to keep learning, keep depending, keep growing in the Lord and into the person God has created me to be! (There is freedom there)
I look so forward to this and once again, I can’t do this alone, nor would I want to.
Prayer is Huge! If you could be praying for financial support to come in, that I don’t get pulled down by the enemy’s lies, that I am diligent about prayer and meditation for the squad, myself and our time away, that I continue to keep my eyes on Christ and follow the Lord’s lead and that I lead from a place of love and grace.
If you could commit to commenting on my blogs (doesn’t have to be all of them) or encouraging me by email. Your words are so encouraging and life giving especially when spiritual warfare is high.
And as mentioned above, I am raising financial support. I will need to raise $6,550 to cover all flights, travel insurance, training camp fees and my launch and return flights. Food and lodging will be covered by the squad. If you would like to support me… please click the, “Support Me!” link on the left hand side under my picture and follow the prompts. You may either pay online or by mail (both directions are listed there). If you chose to pay by web; under the heading “choose program,” please select “Support a world racer” and then write in my first and last name on the line below. Please do not feel like any donation is too small. All gifts from the heart are greatly appreciated! I will keep you up to date on the money coming in. I currently have $500 in my account and will need to have an additional $3,000 by January 1st.
Thank you! I’m so excited to finally be able to share this with you and have you be a part of this next journey. God bless you!
