A Chapter Closing

This will be my FINAL blog from the comforts of my own home. I may write one while I’m out in LA, but if not, the next blog will be from beautiful Guatemala!

This past week has been crazy hectic. That’s still probably an understatement. A lot of people have been asking how I’ve been feeling with my departure date being so close. I usually reply by saying that I just feel like a big ball of emotions. One minute I’m excited, then the next I’m nervous, scared, panicking, happy, anxious, worried, pumped, ecstatic, up, down, side to side, ok just kidding about that last part. My manager Eric asked me today how I was feeling, and I told him that I had a mood ring on, it’d be 20 different colors……at once! Which is probably true being my time here in the States is coming to a close.

I guess time here in the States isn’t the only thing that’s going to be coming to a close. I’ve been writing this chapter for 23 years, and now it’s finally coming to a close. I’ve had to conclude on things such as my five year employment at Al’s Auto Sales, and my four year position at Coldwell Banker Burnet. While those were not enjoyable moments for me (or my co-workers J) , I knew they were necessary steps I needed to take in order to fully surrender myself to God’s will. On October 3^rd I will step foot on Guatemalan soil, and my NEW chapter will begin. It will be a chapter that is filled with stories of how God uses His love through me. It will hold stories of how passionate God loves each and every one of us. It will be a chapter that holds stories of children that came from broken homes becoming fully restored by the words and actions of Christ. I CANNOT WAIT TO DECLARE THE GOOD NEWS TO THE NATIONS! If this book were written physically, it’d be a NY Times Best Seller, and the top book in Oprah’s Book Club..just sayin….

 

This past weekend was spent with lots of goodbyes and see you laters. I had an event at the Glencoe Country Club and the amount of support and words of encouragement were overwhelming. Thank you to everyone who showed up on Friday night. Your words and blessings were so encouraging and motivating. I know the next 11 months are not going to be easy. I’m probably going to go for days without a hot shower, eat foods I’m not accustomed to, and use a bathroom that is just a hole in the ground. But I know as all of those things occur, and no matter how many times I feel like throwing in the towel, I will think of the night in Glencoe where friends spoke words of truth and encouragement into my life. Whether they are believers in Christ or not, they believed in ME!

 

Saturday night my lovely Mother threw a going away party for me. I was SO blessed to have an opportunity to say goodbye to friends and family one last night. I had family that came up from the South to send me off. Oh man! I feel so blessed! I received cards and gifts from people I didn’t even know. It’s great how God just places generosity in people’s hearts to help support His purpose. That night was filled with lots of food, dancing, and many great hugs.

 

My Momma and Me! 🙂

Mom. Grandma.

 

 

 

Final Thought:

It breaks my heart when people offer financial support and say “I know this isn’t much” or “I wish I could give more.” God bless their heart for even considering giving financially. I am grateful for every dollar that has come in. I am humbled by the generosity of giving to the Lord. I’ve had many people say “Oh, man! I wish I would’ve done something like this when I was young!” To those, I say, “You ARE doing something like this!” Just be talking to me about it, I know you’ll be thinking about me, praying for me, and possibly even financially supporting me. I want my supporters to live vicariously through me. When I post pictures of me holding a dying African baby infected with AIDS, or playing with a child in the dumps of the Philippines, I want them to know I couldn’t have done it without their prayers and support. Even YOU the blog reader have helped me do this trip. My blog views are tracked, so I know how many people read. If you didn’t read then I would have no reason to write anything! I’ve had words from people saying I’m very brave and courageous for doing something to selfless. That statement humbles me greatly. I tell them that I can’t do anything of this without God’s favor and power.

Finally, I want to leave all of you with a few words of encouragement as I have received in the past few days. As I venture out on this journey that God has led me, I know nothing is possible without the goodness of people’s hearts. I know I’ve said this a million gazillion times, but I couldn’t have done this with YOU! I’ll be praying fiercely for all who have supported me throughout this race. You’ll be getting prayers from every country I’m in. How cool is that?! I may be out gallivanting around the world in this journey with God, but don’t ever think that your life is boring here back at home. Be glad you’ll have running water every day, a hot shower to take in the morning, and not have to eat African Ugali seven times a day. Ugali is like a mashed cornmeal dish that Africans eat with EVERY single meal. It has no flavor..actually it might have negative flavor. Anyways, while you live your life here in the States just please be thankful for all the luxuries and amenities that are provided. Please feel God’s love for you by the things He provides you here at home. YOUR LIFE IS NOT BORING! While yes, there are many people that need help out in the world, there is help that needs to be done at home as well. You may not be as crazy extreme and consider the World Race, but I know there are many opportunities to serve our Lord close by. Take my ATL day in Atlanta. We spent just a single hour packing hygiene kits for men at a homeless shelter. I walked outta there with a huge smile on my face and my HEART was so full of joy and excitement knowing that I helped someone I didn’t even know get a clean shower for the day!

God has called each and every one of us for a different purpose in life. I have been fortunately (or unfortunately…just kidding) called to do this crazy 11 month mission trip around the world. Leaving all things behind and carrying my belongings on my back. Some of you have been called to raise beautiful children in His image, and some are led to become great leaders in multi-billion dollar businesses. Many of you are led to lead the lives you live right now. A life full of excitement and laughter and an overwhelming love and appreciation for the Lord.

Keep loving.

Keep smiling.

Keep God in your life.

Keep being the beautiful person you are. God DOES NOT make junk!

And lastly and most importantly….

Keep Fist Pumping!! (For all you Jersey Shore fans)

I love you! I love you! I love you! I love you! I love you!

God bless you. And God bless America!