Adventures WorldRace SethBarnes Sponsorship Giving

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If you would have asked me when I was younger where I thought I would be when I was twenty seven, I would have more than likely answered “married with children.” Well as all of you know, that is FAR from where I am at right now! I am instead sitting in Saldus, Latvia (very much single) serving a call that is directly from the Lord himself. I used to think that I should be married, have children, and a great job before I turned thirty or I wouldn’t live up to some sort of societal standard.

                      

                      

My life has literally been turned upside down, shaken around, and turned right side up again during this year, yet still I have never been more sure that this is EXACTLY WHERE I AM SUPPOSED TO BE. How amazing is that? Amazing that God can take you so far off the beaten path you feel like you will never find your way home until he clears the mess and you can see so clearly because he is lighting your path to His Kingdom gates.

I would like to share with you a little about my twenty seventh birthday. As everyone who knows me is already aware, I LOVE MY BIRTHDAY. I think I will be fifty and still love celebrating the day I was born! I don’t really love the presents or going out for food, or the singing, the real reason is because everyone I love comes to celebrate together. That to me means more than anything I can ever imagine.

First off, when we landed in Riga, Latvia a week ago it was snowing!  We literally went from ninety nine degree weather to twenty degree weather in a matter of hours. I already felt at home when the plane touched down and we started playing Christmas music on the plane. (: So the night before my birthday we were able to go to a cute Italian restaurant with some of my closest friends on the squad. It was such a fun evening filled with laughter and joy. I didn’t think it would get any better than that.

              

              
 
The next morning I woke up to an email from my cousin and her fiancé telling me they had prayed and felt like they were supposed to donate money to me. Tears welled up in my eyes as I thanked God for all of the wonderful people He has strategically placed in my life over this past year. I recieved so many heart felt messages, hand made gifts, and love from all of my loved ones. 

After a great run, a few of us went to a cute café and had coffee and pastries. I was also able to skype with my mom, read a card my sister had sent me, and several heart warming messages from back home. We then traveled to our ministry site in Saldus, Latvia.

          
                                                                                               
                 

When we arrived our contact had made me a huge cake with “27” candles, gave me chocolates and flowers and then treated me to a Latvian tradition. They told me to go out in the hallway and sit in a chair and then proceeded to throw me in the air twenty seven times. (I think I will leave that tradition in Latvia!)
 

I was so overwhelmed by the love I was shown in the short days since we have been here and the love shown by my team and squad. I can't begin to thank everyone for making this one of my most special birthdays! There is nothing more special than feeling loved when you are so far away from home! I have less than 2 months left and can't wait to hug you all when I see your smiling faces! 
XOXOXO
Steph