Coming on the Race, I knew that I was going to have to give them up.
I knew it would be hard.
I knew it would be painful.
And I definitely knew that I would cry.
Unfortunately, I was absolutely, positively right.
Leaving my family for the second time in two years (the first being for grad school) was hard, but so good.
It was hard because I love them dearly. I love running in the morning with Jasmine and hanging out with Janesha and checking in with my mom and messing with my brothers and setting dates with my sister and making sure my dad is doing all right. I love birthdays and BBQs, Sunday church and random rap sessions, amazing dinner and trips to the Wal-Mart. I love these people.
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And so when God let me know that His plan included leaving them again, I was sad, but I knew that it was for the best. I was comforted to know that just like He loves me, He loves them and He will take care of His own. I was encouraged to know that the Holy Spirit that lives inside of me, lives inside of them and He will complete His perfect work in them.
And because my family is so close to my heart, I will be asking some of them to write a little something something to post to my blog every month. So the following is from my older sister, Jessica. We are a year apart and grew up close together and I am happy to call her my best friend. She is valiant and daring and beautiful and influential and I love her. This is what she had to say.
A World Racer is similar to a child the day before Christmas. They are not sure what gifts/ experiences they will have, but either way it is going to be great and exciting. The first time Rachelle (The missionary in pink shorts) told me that she was going to sign up to go on a mission trip for 11 months I was extremely unsurprised. I always knew she was the missionary/ traveler of the family.
I was truly blessed by the creative power that she engineered into fundraising for the mission trip. She has always been good with money, but raising the money to go on the mission trip is a faith journey/mountain all on its own. She looked at her finance mountain and cried, shouted, and conquered that mountain with purpose. It was encouraging to see the support of the church family knowing that the money was raised with the purpose of spreading Christ’s love, which is PRICELESS.
I commend those world racers for going into the nations. Leaving my house to go witness to people at the mall is daunting to say the least. So anyone who goes across the world to bring God’s good news is so courageous, and I know that holy spirit is moving in their life. I mean the holy spirit would have to truly quicken/touch my soul for me to walk around for 11 months with a back pack. I pack a whole back pack just to go to work in the morning.
In all honestly her decision to participate in this mission trip added some perspective. It makes you think what more can I do for the Lord? Am I truly making him the head and priority of my life and all my decisions? Am I answering the still small voice and obeying? How much more can my faith increase?
Of course I will miss my lil world racer L. Holy spirit brings much comfort when he reminds me that she is out, and about doing the Father’s work and creating disciples as commanded by our Father in heaven. I have trouble mourning because this trip is a joyous occasion. How many more souls will be won for the Lord because of her obedience? How many more jewels will be placed in her crown in heaven? I CAN ONLY REJOICE FOR THE GOOD NEWS BEING SHARED!!!
