It feels weird writing a blog on here since I’m technically no longer on The Race. However, I’ve got some news I’d like to share that are things that came from my time on The Race.
Allow me to catch some of you up to speed. I have been back in the states for 13 months. I look back to my last few months overseas and how ready I was to come home and now find myself wanting to be back there. You always want what you can’t have eh? While I do have an itch to be overseas sometimes I know God has called me to the U.S. for a very specific purpose.
In the last blog I wrote I briefly mentioned a dream I was working toward. While I was on The Race, God gave me an incredible vision of creating a makeup line that helped fight human trafficking. I remember being excited and feeling for the first time that my love for makeup wasn’t silly. God made me girly for a purpose. As time went on, I held onto that dream but assumed it was something I’d always dream of but never do. Or if I did, it would be in the future when I knew how to run a makeup company.
I returned home to Austin, Texas in July 2009 and found myself more confused than ever, living with my parents and unemployed. After a few months of resistance, I realized God was calling me to work on this dream now. In January I moved to Ohio to live in community with some friends from The Race to get my dream started. It was there I really felt I began to grow confident in this vision and began working toward it. God has ridiculously provided for me every single step of the way. From finances, to encouragement, to people getting on board with my vision. It has been nothing short of humbling to watch and be a small part of God’s ultimate vision.
Around April, things had progressed so quickly in terms of business that I realized there was really nothing more I could do in Ohio and it was time to return to Texas. In May I returned to Austin, I had always felt called to run my business here, I just didn’t expect to be back so soon!
In June I had the privilege of attending a World Race Training Camp for Z, A and B Squads (yes, they’ve restarted the alphabet because there are that many World Race squads now). I was able to see friends who I hadn’t seen since being home, show and sell my makeup for the very first time, and speak to Racers getting ready to leave about how God used The World Race to break my heart for human trafficking and give me this incredible vision.
So here I am two months later, a week away from my kingdom dream becoming a reality, with the launch of a makeup company, called Radiant Cosmetics, that raises awareness and funds for human trafficking. God is good simply doesn’t suffice the way I feel about all this.
I write this not to tell you of all the awesome things I’ve done since being home or to lift myself up in any way. There are several reasons I really feel compelled to tell my story and journey of The Race and this vision. First being that I remember growing up with the Sunday School answer that God’s visions were always better than our own. Here I am today blown away by the fact that I get to honor God by playing with eyeshadow. I get to play a miniscule role in setting the captives free because I have an affinity toward outrageously colored lipstick. I mean, I honestly don’t think life gets any better?
Second, I wanted to write specifically on this blog because many of you financially, spiritually and emotionally supported me through my World Race journey. YOU are one of the reasons this vision is a reality. Thank you for believing in me, believing in my journey and this vision. I can’t tell you how much that means to me. You have played a distinct role in pushing me toward following the Lord, wherever He plans to lead me. First, to over 11 countries around the world and now back home to Austin, Texas.
And above all to be humbled. I’m so unworthy yet God still gifted me with this incredible vision. I was able to simply sit back and watch him piece EVERY single bit of this together. That by far has been one my favorite parts of seeing this come to fruition; watching Him continually amaze me with the people He has put in my path. I would whine about needing a logo and He would send someone in the most ridiculous of circumstances with exactly what I needed. I was feeling discouraged and someone would come alongside this vision and speak life over me. I remember the first time I spoke on the phone with the woman from the trafficking organization my makeup business supports. I had never met her, randomly stumbled upon her smaller organization in the midst of the large ones I was seeking out and it was the most divine of appointments. I was in the Target parking lot when she called, after we hung up I sat and wept in my car for 10 minutes because I was again overwhelmed by God’s hand in this.
So on that note, Radiant Cosmetics launches August 1. Until then, you’re welcome to find us on FB to hear more about this vision, this week there will be lots of sneak peeks of products.
“But these things I plan won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.” Habakkuk 2:3
