“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” -Matthew 11:29
Hola Everyone! I know it’s been a while since my last blog, but I have been on a roller coaster since launch. God is showing me so much that I have been a bit slow processing all that has happened.
So where do I even begin. WOW! Month 1 is already over and I am now in Granada, Nicaragua for debrief. My first month on the World Race was unreal. Jaco, Costa Rica was truly amazing. I loved the culture there. I felt right at home…very laid back, go with the flow, no stress, and just such an ease with the way things are ran. During this month, I got to feed monkeys, watch macaws and toucans, experience many different insects and creatures, climb a mountain and swim in waterfalls, watch beautiful sunsets from an amphitheater, top of a mountain, the beach, and from a surfboard on the water, and actually surf and ride some waves.
We did all sorts of ministry work, from teaching a church kids camp, teaching a Saturday community kids camp in the park, teaching Sunday school, painting a local school, organizing a library, transforming our property by cleaning up, digging a trench, building steps, laying down grass, etc., and even helping locals move. We also got to go on prayer walks, attend a women’s bible study, and participate with locals in their own daily routines. I met so many people that are now a part of my life in a much bigger way than I imagined. I developed friendships and relationships with families that I will carry for a lifetime.
The first month there were many times of frustration, laughter, crying, sadness, and happiness that all led to growth and intimacy with the one and only, Father. What I have experienced month one is so exponential that I can’t wait to see the total transformation He is making in me by the end of this journey. I have been spoken a word or phrase every month since my journey began that the Lord wants me to embrace and take to heart based on what He is doing in my life and what he is teaching me in my heart. Month 1 in Costa Rica is REST.
This word portrays multiple meanings for me this month. Not only did He teach me physical rest and learning to Stop sometimes, but rest for my soul. I didn’t really know how I found rest for my soul. This is partly why I get overwhelmed, don’t process when I need to in the moment, and start to physically wear down. I got sick the second week into my race. I had a day of complete body aching with fatigue and nausea. I knew that in this moment of sickness I needed to turn to the Lord for healing. But turning to him not just with one prayer, but in continual and specific prayers that were intentional with complete faith behind it that there was something He wanted me to take from it. I prayed the entire day while working and a miracle happened. I was better by the end of the day. Slowly throughout the week more symptoms of sickness started to occur, but I had a positive mindset that I would be ok. By the time I got to Nicaragua, the joint pains and problems were only lingering on and growing in other areas of my body. Chicken Gunia was a worry and I had to seek medical attention to rule out that disease. Just like in life, we have to sometimes rule out possibilities to make the answer clear. So, I kept strong to my faith and I did not have the virus. They still don’t know what is causing the joint pain, trigger fingers, and fatigue, but my faith holds strong and mighty that if I continue to pray specifically for growth in what He wants me to walk out that healing will come…AND IT HAS, little by little has I find Freedom and Healing through Growth and Intimacy with Him!
I’ve known that my God is a jealous God and wants me to put Him first. I thought I was, but I wasn’t in Everything…only things that I wanted to go to him with in the moments I wanted. In order to find this Rest within me, I needed to find out what would rest my soul and how I can go to him. When I REALLY put him first, my heart and mouth will then, and only then, align and my Faith will manifest and be TRUE.
When we sit in frustration, lack of trust, pride, or anything that is not from the Lord, it manifests in our physical being. I knew I was on a walk with him that was very intentional in teaching me to turn directly to Him in Everything, not just sometimes or in some situations…EVERYTHING! He was transforming my heart! And oh what transformation is taking place still. I now have so much peace. Anytime I instantly feel something not of him like frustration, doubt, worry, sickness, etc. I know my way of going directly to him and finding that Silence in my mind, body, soul, and spirit to connect directly with him and rebuke anything that will take me away from having joy, peace, and true contentment in Who I am. It was time for me to take Everything to him before I sat in the stuff.
Continue to pray for me that there is no sickness or disease that will take over my body. I am still learning and walking in His teachings…and it has already been an Incredible Journey.
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Thank you again to everyone who loves and supports me throughout this year of transformation. Love you all!!!
