It’s been too long since I’ve written a blog post. I typically enjoy writing, but lately I haven’t been sure what I want to say…However, I’m thankful for time this weekend to take a study break & do some reflecting.
I’ll start with logistics
1. Fundraising is going i.n.c.r.e.d.i.b.l.e. I know I shouldn’t be surprised by the faithfulness of the Lord, but I am truly blown away by the amount of support I have been given. Thank you to each one of you who has donated to my trip!
2. T-shirts are here!! I’m so excited to give them to everyone who ordered! Thank you again to those who bought a shirt. I hope these shirts can be a way to tell people about the World Race & the work the Lord is doing through it!
3. Training Camp dates have been set. June 8th – 18th I will be in Gainesville, Georgia with the rest of my team! I so look forward to meeting these people! A lot of details about training camp are not given to racers, but it is a time of intense preparation for what we will experience during the eleven months on the field.
4. ‘Launch’ dates have also been finalized! Launch is the term used for two final days of training right before we leave. This will take place at the beginning of August.
On a more personal note, I want this blog to be a place of honesty, & honestly this week has been tough. School, an independent study project, uncertainty about where I’ll be & what I will be doing May-August, & the many emotions of preparing for the Race had me overwhelmed. It’s been a week where I felt out of control, crabby, & anxious. The entire week it was in the back of my mind that I serve a faithful God who will provide & help me through each day. However, I still choose to have a bad attitude. I wasn’t choosing joy even though I knew my Savior was walking with me every step of the way.
However, Wednesday morning between class & an exam the Lord gave me exactly what I needed. What a blessing it was to go & speak to a local women’s Bible study about the World Race & the story the Lord has given me. I walked away from my time with them feeling refreshed.
Sharing my story with them reminded me of the goodness of my Heavenly Father. It reminded me that my current concern over life’s circumstances are trivial matters, & as I read the list of 11 countries I would be traveling to tears came to my eyes. Wow…the fact I get to travel to 11 countries & proclaim Jesus’ name is amazing…how can I not be filled with a spirit of joy each day?!
One of my favorite preacher’s is Chuck Swindoll. In a recent sermon he said,
“I will not let today’s joy be lost in tomorrow’s uncertainty.”
That’s what the Lord is teaching me. A life fully dependent on Him to be my source of joy…not being anxious about tomorrow’s uncertainty but faithfully stewarding the present moments. He’s a good Father. May you be encouraged by His goodness today & choose to sing His praise.
“My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing, I will sing praises even with my soul”
-Psalm 108:1
