C4 Squad came together creating a list of the many things we learned in 100 days on the Race. What a crazy experience ya’ll! I am thankful to be doing it beside these God loving people. I am positive the next 7 months will be just as challenging as what you read here. Thank you all for your love and support. I AM HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE I AM FULLY FUNDED! PRAISE JESUS! I hope you enjoy this quick blog, don’t worry a longer blog is on it’s way telling of all my tales in Chile. Enjoy! Some of this is serious, some of its scary and all of its true. Love ya!
1. I can choose to be content no matter where I am. If only I make it not about me and center it around God
2. I like vegetables.
3. Exercising daily is not only good for your body but good for your mind and soul.
4. If I’m doing things out of my own will and plan, it is not near as effective as if I choose my will to be to work alongside God in His plan.
5. There might not be a perfect time to start. So start now.
6. Denying yourself and loving yourself are not in conflict with each other.
7. There is room for seriousness and laughter.
8. If the bus drives past your stop before you can get off, try hitting the roof.
9. Giving up coffee won’t kill you.
10. Learning lessons about long term gratification take a long time which kinda sucks and it’s worth it.
11. There’s a better story to tap into if you’re willing to take some risk and ask for it.
12. Food is a universal love language.
13. WhatsApp is for all the cool kids.
14. There is a BIG difference between “peace keeper” & “peace maker.”
15. Strangers don’t have to be strangers.
16. It’s okay to cry.
17. Beans are cheap, but don’t eat too many.
18. Take time to really enjoy the scenery because it’s not every day that you see volcanoes.
19. Take adventurous trips that you normally wouldn’t.
20. Talk to that stranger next to you.
21. How important feedback is
22. Your team becomes your family.
23. It’s okay to say no.
24. Laugh a lot, that will keep you sane on the Race.
25. It’s ok to not be ok.
26. God will meet your desires in the most personal ways. Like with a dinner of tomato soup, plantain chips, a carrot, and the last green apple. He knows you. He likes you. He provides for you.
27. Saying the hard thing that’s true is far more life giving than any other option you can come up with.
28. If you haven’t had diarrhea by day 100, you’re probably not living life risky enough.
29. Experiencing JOMO: the Joy Of Missing Out.
30. Appreciating raisons, whether or not you like them.
31. Breaking the habit of throwing your TP in the toilet.
32. Deciphering which clothes are clean, kinda dirty (can be worn again), and really dirty (needs to be put into laundry bag STAT).
33. Being flexible and interruptible because ministry could happen at any moment.
34. Make sure you don’t have a hole in your puke bag before using it.
35. Hanabi cannot be played in less than 30 minutes.
36. There’s a difference between being in need and being needy.
37. Bug spray is everyday perfume.
38. You can find hot showers in other countries.
39. Any solid piece of ground can become a dance floor.
40. When in doubt, eat ice cream for dinner.
41. There’s always space for grace.
42. You will crave peanut butter.
43. Sweating during a cold shower is actually a thing.
44. You learn to love hot tea.
45. The game Four Corners will ALWAYS be a hit.
46. You don’t have to binge eat Snickers because they have them in every country.
47. Bringing your large pack on the metro during rush hour is not exactly a good idea.
48. Bread is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT in Chile.
49. Cutting up with your team is just as important as the times of seriousness during team time.
50. Your strength is greater than when you know.
51. Food is cheap and good in different countries.
52. How to order coffee in Spanish.
53. It’s sometimes okay to pet a stray dog, but it is never okay to get Rabies.
54. Talking to random strangers are unexpectedly cool people.
55. You’ll never really know if the church just loves to sing “Abre Mis Ojos” or if they keep singing it over and over again because it’s the only song your squad sort of knows in Spanish.
56. Microwave popcorn is a suitable birthday gift.
57. Life shouldn’t be lived like you’re running on a treadmill.
58. People in New Zealand eat white bread with butter and sprinkles on it and call it “fairy bread”.
59. 100% DEET works really beautifully as nail polish remover.
60. It’s really, really important to make sure your clothes are dry before packing them… to prevent the most horrific smells on the planet.
61. The body of Christ is huge, vibrant, generous, and growing, and for one of the first times in my life, I’m really proud to be associated with not only Jesus, but also with His church.
62. Living in “community” is more fun than I ever thought it could be.
63. Long-term commitment isn’t so bad.
64. Feelers and Thinkers can work together beautifully, if each is willing to hear the other out.
65. There’s a time to make your voice heard, and there’s a time to keep silent and suck it up.
66. I LOVE POPTARTS. And I actually do like America and Americans.
67. Journaling is cool.
68. You can take the girl out of St. Louis, but you can’t take the St. Louis out of the girl.
69. God is love, but that love looks different from what I expect.
70. The Race is just a tool to be used for the rest of your life!
71. Community is hard but awesome!
72. God’s plans for our lives are bigger and better than we could have ever imagined!
73. Top Gun is a really good movie!
74. Faith brings joy no matter the situation – let go and trust God.
75. The World Race is a tool to change your perspective = changing your heart.
76. Language barriers don’t stop communication, especially of the Spirit.
77. When you are intimate with God you will never be intimidated by man.
78. We fight from a place of victory, not for it because we already have it.
79. Your strength really doesn’t come from you – it’s God’s strength in you.
80. Every person on your team has incredible gifts from God that are valuable.
81. You can choose joy and peace even in the hard times by surrendering and choosing to sit in God’s presence.
82. How to cross a border with 33 people.
83. That the Caribbean is really cool.
84. Fire coral hurts.
85. It’s hard to not get used to the incredible scenery we live in.
86. Sometimes you have to laugh at the struggle.
87. A shower is a luxury in Honduras.
88. It’s okay to get your countries mixed up.
89. Sometimes strangers buy you socks because they think you don’t have any.
90. Not knowing where your going to sleep at night can show you just how big God is.
91. Happiness is finding a laundry mat.
92. “Seeing other people wear your clothes is the saddest thing in the whole world.” – Kelsey Bayse
93. Bus drivers WILL pass by because they think you’re lost, but you’re actually heading to the most dangerous city in Costa Rica.
94. Don’t lose your Bible in Month One. You’ll need it.
95. Hurry up and wait.
96. Get used to being ogled at.
97. Sometimes the hard stuff is the good stuff.
98. Bus rides are the actual worst.
99. Bus rides are the actual best.
100. Sleep is important.
101. Protein is more important.
102. Chile is, indeed, chilly.
103. Sometimes the best thing to say is nothing at all.
104. Dancing is viewed as scandalous for Christians in some countries, but it’s a requirement in others.
105. Music is a must.
106. I’ve learned how to live in community.
107. I’ve learned how to wash clothes in a pila.
108. I’ve learned how to pee in a bottle on a bus.
109. To be happy or sad in each moment is your choice.
110. Sometimes the best friends are forced friends.
111. Nothing like community living to expose your flaws.
112. Feedback sucks. Or you might be doing it wrong.
113. People who say they’re not afraid of anything are actually afraid of being afraid.
114. Choose to say yes.
115. Stress is a choice.
116. Tattoos hurt. I don’t understand why people want to get a lot of them.
117. Flushing toilet paper is a privilege.
118. Empanadas = Life
119. Chicky Chip Cookies = Life
120. God always provides.
121. Humility is essential to be influential.
122. Things are never as glamorous as they seem.
123. Get used to drinking out of small, plastic bags.
