“Only four months left, guys!”
I’ve been counting down since I got on the Race. Let me explain
I remember the first night in Pamplona in a hostel that used to be a church. We arrived earlier that day and we were set to start El Camino de Santiago at the crack of dawn the next morning to avoid the blazing sun. Well, Carla negotiated to have our packs sent all the way to our end point so we didn’t have to carry them the whole time. We could only send forward 30 pounds worth, which meant I had to carry 20 pounds on my back. Well, I had packed and unpacked my backpack what felt like 30 times, to make sure I took only what I needed. I was so tired of the back and forth that at the end of it, I thought, “We have 11 more months of this?”
That night, when I finally finished the stressful task of packing up all my “essentials,” I walked into the bathroom to brush my teeth and said to Hannah, with dread in my voice, “We have 11 months of this.” To which she replied, “It’s okay!” with her chipper upbeat voice. She said something like “It’s gonna be great and time is going to fly and you’re going to learn!!” I don’t exactly remember everything she said because I was so mesmerized by the positive tone in her voice that I began a dialogue in my mind to get it together, not be negative and it will be great. If she’s positive then I can be positive. Well, it hasn’t been easy! It’s been a struggle to stay on the positive side of the fence. I have been counting down every week and will randomly be reminded of how much time is left and I will let my teammates know how much longer we have until we get home. Why?you may ask. Great question!! Let me tell you
It’s your fault! If you’re reading this, chances are you have a lot to do with why I feel this way. You are my family! You are my community! You have sent me encouraging words via some form of social media. You prayed for me, even daily, while I’ve been gone. You sent me financial support. You told me more than once how much of an inspiration I am, and how wise you think my opinion is. You have sent me videos and pictures telling me how much you miss me and love me. You have updated me on things back home and FaceTimed me so I can see your cute faces. And that’s just counting these last 7 months. Some of you lived life with me. You let me cry on your shoulders. You laughed with me all night. You gave me life changing advice. You pushed me to be the best possible version of me . You didn’t give up on me. You listened to me and allowed me to pour back into you. You made me feel worthy of love and friendship! You. It was all you! And so I stop a lot of times and think: “WHAT DID I DO TO DESERVE THIS?”
This love that covers a multitude of sins. This relationship that pushes me to be better. This truth that is spoken in my life about what I’m worth and who I am. This checking my attitude when I need it. This unconditional, non-judgmental love that says, “Do you live your life within the parameters of what the Lord tells us in his Word?” You reminded me of my value, my worth, how proud you are of me, and you never made me feel less.
So I thank God for you! Yes, you. You reading this blog. My community of believers who have sharpened me and loved me. Thank you! Thank you!…for all the prayers, love, support, words of encouragement, financial support, words that made me feel like not giving up and not quitting. Those words have helped me to take deep breaths and give it my all here on the field. I have given my all because of you. You made me give everything I can to others because you’re doing it to me. So for that and more, I thank you! Thank you family, thank you friends! I love you and you are my Jonathans! You make me stronger and better!
I don’t know what I did to deserve such an amazing community, but Praise God! I have one!!
With all my love, thank you!
Always yours,
Nashiely Aguilar
Also, GREAT NEWS…drum roll please!!! I just broke the $4,000 mark of what’s left to raise. Which means I have roughly $3,990 left to foundrise! YES!!! PRAISE THE LIVING GOD!! That’s about 80% funded! I CAN SEE THE LIGHT!! I would love you to pray about contributing any amount.
Please know all gifts are tax deductible and can even be made anonymously if you like. That’s about 39 loved ones at $100 each and I’M DONE!!
I am constantly praying blessings and wisdom over you back home. Know I love and miss you all!
I’m sorry I don’t have pictures of all of you but here are some cool pictures of some of you amazing people. I love you all!
