Hi friends,
I’m writing this blog post on February 8th, but when it goes live online, I’ll already be 33! Let me just say, I love being a 30-something! I had an awesome childhood, and then my teens were rocky, timid and sad, but thank God I was born again at 19. My twenties were a time of learning, exploring, and becoming. Now in my thirties, I am more mature emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually. As I turn 33 in just a few days, I’ve been all reflective and weepy (but only happy tears)! Maybe it’s because in just a few months I will be leaving all I know in New York and traveling with my new friends to 11 different countries around the world to serve and show God’s love to “the least of these”.
So, in this reflective mode, I’m going to share some highlights of my thirties.
First though, I have to start back when I was 29. Why was I so afraid to turn 30? At 29, I felt like I was suddenly racing against the clock. I went on dates with any guy who asked, instead of patiently waiting on God. It was a rush against time, and my heart was broken a few times. I felt like I had to complete my bucket list as soon as possible or else! In spite of it all and trying to check things off from my bucket list, that mindset at 29 led to an awesome trip to Israel, running my 6th full marathon completely under-prepared, and leaving a “good” job to finally finish my Masters degree. Looking back, I can say it’s only by God’s grace and mercy that it all worked out. Jesus was with me every step of the way. I learned to take risks, to fail forward, and to keep putting one foot in front of the other. Along the way, I met some amazing people of different religious beliefs, which led me on a journey of making sure my own faith in Jesus was really my own. (more on that some other time)
Now to some highlights of my thirties thus far!
They are in no particular order:
• my first missions trip/Guatemala
- seeing my nephews growing up to be amazing young men with so much potential
• completing my Master’s Degree
• growing as a runner – setting new personal records
- challenging myself career-wise by taking positions outside of my comfort zone
• taking a year off from marathons (2016) and surviving
• learning to slow down and feel … to actually feel my emotions so I can learn from them and grow.
All I can say is I’m excited for 33!
Where He leads, I will follow.
In terms of fundraising for the trip, I am definitely way outside of my comfort zone, but God is good and faithful and I am so very thankful for everyone’s support and prayers so far.
In March, I will be starting a brand new FUNdraiser, so stay tuned!
In courageous faith and for His glory alone,
Sharon
