Hello friends, family, supporters, acquaintances, fellow world racers, curious persons, travelers, missionaries, world changers, and everyone in-between! Welcome to my blog, I am so very excited to share my journey with you…It has taken me a long time to write this first blog, but the past few weeks have left me in complete awe of the beauty that has come from this unexpected journey I am taking and must share what has been happening in my life.
I will start at the beginning…I started working at Sharon Lutheran Church a little over a year ago. This past summer I was an adult leader on the high school youth's mission trip to Oklahoma. I knew this experience would be amazing for the youth, but little did I know what effect it would have on me. I received two phone calls that literally turned my world upside down while I was on this trip. The control I thought I once had over my life was suddenly ripped from my hands when I heard my mom tearfully say the words, "I have breast cancer." I remember falling to the ground speechless, thinking, "I could loose my mother, my best friend." I am sure a lot of people have great moms, but to me mine is my world and I could never in a million years imagine loosing her and never had to up until those words left her mouth. I never considered turning to God until that day. That day I sat on the pavement crying to God, broken hearted, screaming for him to help my mom, in any way. At our prayer circle that night the youth lifted me up in their prayers and embraced me with their love and my faith had never felt so strong. It was a surreal experience to be faced with God in such a bold way that I had never knew before.
When you come looking for me, you’ll find me. Yes when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed. I’ll turn things around for you. –Jeremiah 29:13
I had been surrounded by the people I truly needed the most in a most unexpected way. I also learned the control I once had was in fact never there to begin with. I now was powerless to something much greater than me, who had much different plans for me.
While on the trip I met a special friend who expressed her interest in the World Race (WR), which encouraged me to look deeper into what the WR was all about. Once I was home from the trip and was attempting to process what had happened, I could not seem to get away from the WR website. I wanted to know more, I wanted to see more, I wanted to sign up, but I wanted to know I could fully commit before I signed up. After searching and searching my heart and asking others for advice, this bible verse kept popping up in unusual places:
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. – Jeremiah 29:11
My heart was stirring and I had a deep desire to strengthen my faith and dive into what could quit possibly be the most unexpected, beautiful and amazing path I have ever taken in my life. I felt taken aback by most of these feelings and emotions and after sharing these with the friend I mentioned earlier, she sent me a message encouraging me to follow my heart. Out of that message she sent all I could read was, “God is calling you to GO.” I felt so much relief after I read those words and now here I am…GOING! I am really going to do this! I am going to 11 different countries in 11 months and am so grateful that I have this amazing opportunity.
God has provided so much for me so far and continues to surprise me everyday with something new and exciting. He has also blessed my mom with her health and a body free of cancer. I can’t thank everyone enough for their support thus far and a thank you in advance for those who support me in the future. I realize this is a drastic step towards my faith journey, but I have also realized that is how I live my life. I must push myself as hard as my mind, body and soul will allow and then push a little harder. I have no doubt in my mind this unexpected path will shape me and my faith into something even more wonderful than it is now. I encourage you to follow me and pray for me along the way as I know remarkable things are about to come…
