Hello everyone, I would like to first thank those who are still reading my blog. Unfortunately, trying to think of things to blog about while I’m not on the race leaves me with little to talk about, except my struggles with fundraising and stuff going on in my personal life. Speaking of fundraising struggles, I have made an Adopt-A-Box!
As you can see in my photo attached, there are boxes numbered 1-100, each representing a donation amount or the price you would adopt that box for. IF EVERY BOX GETS ADOPTED by September 23rd, I would have reached my first deadline, and that would be incredible! You can also adopt as many boxes as you would like. To adopt a box, you can simply click on this link -> https://www.adventures.org/give/donate.asp?giveto=worldrace&desc=Sam+Vannoy&appeal_id=VANNOYSAM%C2%A0 <- and once I see the amount donated, I will scribble out that box, (since it’s been adopted).
I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity that God has placed before me, and I have every confidence that He will provide for all of my needs. Ultimately, my prayer is that He will do some of that through you.
You may be asking why this blog is called ringworm. Well, funny story. Remember that cat I mentioned my roommates and I had recently gotten? Well, we no longer have Merlin any more. Although he was cute, cuddly, and sometimes incredibly persistent, Merlin carried with him a small little fungus that liked to travel quickly. It started out by looking like a bug bite. Oh how it itched, and me not knowing, oh, how I scratched. Days went by and the only thing getting me through the itchy sleepless nights was my relentless scratching.
One morning after a rough night of sleep, I looked in the mirror and saw the most horrifying sight. Ringworm. On my neck. And my face. And my arm, in two places. Oh I wanted to cry. My mom had given me some black walnut oil to try out, after days of trying and more ringworm popping up, I decided it was time to hit the CVS for some antibiotics. As ringworm kept popping up in various other places on my roommates and I, we washed all our sheets, doused everything in Lysol, and vowed to never get a kitten again. Although mine wasn’t the worst of the group, I had it in ten places on my body. Never. again.
I’m telling you this nasty story because as all of this was going on, while I was lathering on the ointment and forcing myself to fall asleep in strange positions to keep it on, I couldn’t help but be reminded that there are people out there in the world who aren’t as spoiled as I am. There are people who I might come in counter with on the race that would do anything for some cream to get rid of their fungus or illness. There are children and adults out there who would do or give anything to sleep on a comfortable bed, even in an uncomfortable position, with food in their bellies, and AC running, with a nightlight plugged in, and medication on their wounds. Even though I felt the worst, and my body was disgusting with ringworm, I was humbled, and grateful to have been blessed with the things I’ve always taken for granted.
Little thoughts like these are what make my heart yearn for missions, and the World Race. I am beyond excited to leave my everyday luxuries and live like those who make life their prized possession. Because ultimately, it is. Life is precious, it is a gift we did not deserve, yet here we are. I am excited to see how God moves through me these next few years. Please keep me in your prayers that I might keep Him first in all I do. I pray that He moves through you as well and speaks to you through me as you read my blog. Thank you for the work you do for the Kingdom, and thank you if you are supporting me in any way. I love yall. Sam
