Adventures WorldRace SethBarnes Sponsorship Giving

| by archiveworldraceblogs

Happy Thanksgiving!!

I hope as your house fills with smells of roasted turkey, buttery mashed potatoes and green bean casserole, your heart is filled with gratefulness for the friends and family that you’ll be surrounded with and for the Lord’s hand on your life.   

Every holiday between now and next August will be my last holiday spent with my loved ones until 2019, but instead of waking up this morning feeling anxious and sad about that, I choose to wake up thankful.

One thing I’m thankful for, for each month I’ll be on the race: 

  1. I’m thankful for my family. Their support of me and my desire to obey the Lord in going on this mission trip has been incredible. Yes, they’re scared and sad about me leaving, but they know that no matter where I am in the world, I am within God’s hands, and that’s the safest place to be. 
  2. I’m thankful for my friends. Guys, my friends are the best. They’ve prayed for me, encouraged me, celebrated with me, shared my endless posts to their social media pages, and even brainstormed with me over fundraising ideas. Some of them are even partaking in the fundraising process with me; what a blessing! 
  3. I’m thankful for my dog. This one probably seems so silly, but he’s brought so much joy to my life since adopting him early last year. It breaks my heart knowing he was unwanted because I can’t imagine life with out my fluffy and crazy dog, Mack. 
  4. I’m thankful for my health. As a health professional student, I learn about and interact with countless diseases, disorders and syndromes on a daily basis. I’m blessed to say I’m healthy and capable of doing what I want to do mentally and physically. Not everyone can say this, which breaks my heart, but this furthers my commitment to be the best physical therapist I can be, in the future, to better the lives of those who are restricted by their health status.
  5. I’m thankful for my “things.” My car, that takes me to and from my job; my technology, that keeps me informed and communicated with my friends and family; my apartment, that keeps me safe and sheltered; and my clothes, that keep me warm and comfortable. I am blessed beyond measure.   
  6. I’m thankful for my church. I’m thankful for our senior pastor, Pastor Daniel, and our campus pastor, Pastor Brent, who have vision and calling on their lives that lead all those who attend into a life more fully alive in Christ. I’m thankful for the amazing group of ladies in my small group, I love doing life with you all! I’m thankful to serve in a house that exists for those outside its walls. I’m thankful that this church is where I’ve been stretched and challenged in the best of ways to strengthen my walk with Christ. 
  7. I’m thankful for my past. I’m thankful for my hometown, Spotsylvania, VA born and raised, and all its instilled in me. I’m thankful for my undergraduate education at Virginia Tech (GO HOKIES!!) and the community it’s given me. I’m thankful for my graduate education at VCU and all the friendships and opportunities it’s offered.  
  8. I’m thankful for my present. I’m currently doing a clinical internship at a pediatric outpatient and intensive clinic in Richmond, VA. The patients are amazing and the physical therapist’s are phenomenal, I’m truly learning from the best. I’m also in my fundraising season for the race, which has been challenging but so, so good for humbling my pride and solidifying my dependence on the Lord. 
     
  9. I’m thankful for my calling. I still can’t believe God has called me to such a thing as this. An 11 month missions trip, me? Who would have thought?! I can’t wait to see how God uses me for his glory in the months and countries to come. 
  10. I’m thankful for my Route 2, August 2018 squad! We’re all currently connected through a Facebook page, but we’re soon going to be connected through a year of traveling, evangelizing, living, and learning; I can’t wait to see us transform from a squad into a family during that time! Thank you for the community you all are already becoming by sharing your struggles, your prayer requests, your encouragement and your GIFs! #SeasonedGrandmas  (*Squad= the group of about ~50 of us who will be traveling from country to country together!)
  11. I’m thankful for Jesus. Without Jesus, I wouldn’t be doing this. I would still be a wretched sinner trying to pry forgiveness out of God’s hands with my works. But with Jesus, I know I’m given forgiveness freely and sufficient grace, for nothing I’ve done but for everything Jesus is. Praise. The. Lord. 

BONUS: I’m thankful for you! If you’re reading this, you’re one of three people…

  1. You’re new! You could be checking out my blog for the first time and if this is the case I’m honored you’d take time out of your day to read what’s on my heart.
  2. You’re a subscriber, family member, or friend! If this is the case, thank you for your devotion to following my journey and thank you for your prayers, your thoughts, and your support; it means the world.
  3. You’re a donor! If this is the case, THANK YOU! Thank you for letting the Lord work through your finances to help support my trip. A trip that I pray brings glory to his name and hope to those who come to know him through my journey.