It would seem as of late that there have been many distractions in my life that have taken away from a focus on the World Race. I have really enjoyed socializing with friends, work, family, and am simply not wanting to leave Pittsburgh come Labor Day weekend. The Lord has blessed my life with amazing people and ministry.
Little did I know when I drove into Pittsburgh on Labor Day of last year, full of nerves and dread, that I would be dreading leaving this wonderful city and its beautiful people. I am really struggling with this idea of leaving and it would seem that my emotions and feelings about it change from day to day. There are days where I am so excited to go on the World Race that I can barely contain it! And then there are days I just want to cry and stop time so I can live everyday life here with a remarkable community.
Some of these people include my small group from my church here in Pittsburgh. We are trying to do something as a group each month this summer and for the month of June we decided to take a trip to go camping! Now, let me give some context here. I would consider myself a woman who loves the outdoors and the creation our Lord has made. Despite this love for the outdoors, I have never been camping! This is an experience I needed to have before I left for training camp, since we would be camping for 10 days straight…in the Georgia heat no less.
Since I needed the camping experience and my small group wanted to go camping, we decided to try it. It was during this trip that I learned how to put up a tent, hiked with the pack that I will be living out of for 11 months, and had a time in which the Lord reminded me of what He called me to do next in life. My friends encouraged and lifted me up in ways that I did not think was possible leading up to this next adventure in life. I came back refreshed and ready to take on the rest of my support raising and prepare for the World Race!
Preparation now includes support raising, acquiring the rest of my needed gear, vaccinations, and training camp! All of these take time and effort that I am trying to find a good balance for in a life that seems filled already. I ask for your continued prayer and encouragement as October gets closer and closer. Prayer requests that I have are finding balance in life, enjoying my time left in Pittsburgh and leaving well, support raising, and that the Lord will stay at the center of my life journey.
P.S. Don’t be surprised if you get a phone call, text or in person ask from me for support raising over the next three months. 
