If you know me at all, you know that I LOVE working out, lifting weights, and going to the gym. It has become a part of who I am. Working out 6-7 days a week isn’t an option for me, it’s a priority. It’s my lifestyle.
After signing up for the World Race, I questioned frequently about what I was going to do without having a gym or being able to lift weights for 11 months. My response was always, I will do body weight workouts or some type of exercise to get my heart rate up. I was ok with that response, until launch began to get closer and closer. The closer launch got, people asked me more and more how I was going to make it 11 months without a gym. I began to have anxiety about it and began thinking about it daily. How WAS I going to make it 11 months without lifting weights, something that had become a part of who I am?
I started to pray about it and invite Jesus into the place of my heart where I was anxious. My very last work out at the gym where I had been for 3 years came and went. I left the gym that day with an overwhelming peace about it. I got to launch in ATL, where my squad and I spent 4 days at our hotel. With my squad, which had multiple people on it that love to work out, at a hotel that had a gym, with a tiny bit of free time in the super packed schedule we had, I was able to continue to work out before I left the states.
Once we left the states, I was prepared to continue to work out however I could. I brought with me: a jump rope, sliders, mini bands, and resistance bands.
We got to Sombor, Serbia, where we have a pretty decent sized back yard at the church we’re staying at for the month. A perfect place to work out and run sprints. I was set. I was thanking God for the time and space I was going to have to get a work out in most days.
And then God showed up in a bigger way than I could have ever imagined or dreamed would be possible. (Like He always does!) Our friend here in Sombor, that attends the church we’re staying at, informed me there was a gym within walking distance that I could get a membership at for the month while we are here in Serbia. WOW. MIND BLOWN.
We were able to get a membership set up AND 4 other girls on my squad made the decision to get a membership and have been going every day with me to work out. BUT that’s not all, the trainer at the gym also does crossfit! Which is what I was doing before I left for the World Race. I can’t even begin to describe how happy my heart is!!! I’m at a loss of words as I type this blog out. We always feel like God will do awesome things, but we’re still so amazed when He does them. But, the Lord truly desires to give good gifts to His sons and daughters, and He really does know and care about the desires of our hearts. It is extremely humbling and incredible to watch the way the Lord has moved. I feel so grateful and thankful for this opportunity the Lord has provided.
I wanted to share some pictures of the gym that I’m working out at for the month, so check them out below!!!
Also, if you could be praying for me and the people that I come in contact with at the gym. That the Lord would allow this opportunity to be a platform to share the Gospel and to love on the people there.
Still have the strength to do a few pull-ups!!! 🙂
Thank you all for reading this blog! Hope you enjoyed the pictures!
Talk to you soon.
xoxo,
Madison
