Lovely people, time is FLYING so I’ll make this quick and easy and share with you a few important numbers…
10,178 – how much money I’ve raised to date – July 1, 2016.
90 – days until departure
38 – days until training camp
1 – overflowing heart with a piece of big news
I got an email the other day telling me of a route change for my team. Instead of Malaysia, we will now be visiting Ecuador. This came about for a number of different factors and while we are all still adapting, we’re also getting really excited for the new adventure in store. Instead of 2 continents, we now get to visit 3 which is super awesome. Malaysia is a Muslim nation and many of us have a strong passion for ministering to that specific group of people, but we’re all looking forward to working with the people of Ecuador. Although it’s predominately a Catholic nation, there are always people to love on and give a hand to.
I realize my blog is supposed to be a place of updating you on my race, but I see it also as a way to let you know what’s going on my personal life as well to give you a better understanding of how I’m preparing mentally. A sweet family friend of ours who has been battling cancer for the last few years has just received some difficult news and they’re in the process of deciding how to (or if to) move forward with treatment. Please remember her family when you think of me. They’ve been relentless supporters of me from the very beginning and they’re so dear to my family.
One of the biggest things that has weighing on me recently is the concept of authenticity and genuineness in my faith. Learning to be alone with Jesus in time-stopping way in the midst of a chaotic world is an art, but not one that goes unpracticed. The world we live in is busy and fast and to let yourself become still is so very very hard. There are always places to be and things to do and in all of that, I’ve been tempted to forget my identity in Christ when it’s overshadowed by scheduling. While I do believe in specifically making time to be alone with Jesus each day, there’s a beauty in finding Him in the chaos as well. I’ve learned that there’s something special about seeing him work and move in all aspects of life rather than just in those 5 minutes of quiet time. Being able to have the same kind of peace running from place to place that I have sitting in a quiet room at sunrise is an understated blessing.
I’ve learned too that when I finally got to this stage, I was able to develop an an external light to go along with my internal one. I had a desire to become the person that people look at and wonder what I have that they don’t. My outward appearance took on an authenticity that seemed to say “I know who I am and I’m really really proud of it.” There was no more wondering if I was being the “right” kind of Christian girl. I found peace in letting Jesus make me the kind of Christian girl He wanted me to be and then let that light pour out of me outwardly without the anxiety of wondering if I was doing it “right”. I’ve found it so much easier to connect with people when I’m able to show them that while I am a Christian, I still have genuine emotion and I haven’t lived a perfect life and I won’t ever live one. Vulnerability makes loving people a million times easier. I’m excited to continue to work on this as a form of preparation for being on the field.
Please continue to pray for my fundraising, my prep for training camp, my squad, and my warrior of a friend. May your imperfect selves always find the beauty of Jesus in your imperfect lives. Much love always!!!
Lo
