Hi there! Thank you so much for visiting my World Race blog! I am so excited to continually update how God is working in every step of my journey towards and during my World Race, January 2014! Today is a BIG day for me, as I have just mailed my letters to friends and family asking for their support, both prayerfully and financially. I am anxious to see how God works faithfully by providing for this next step in my life!
If you haven't read the About Me, where I spill my whole life story, I would love for you to get to know a little more about where I have been and what God has done in my life.
This post is answering the question, or trying to at least, "Why Me?" Why do I feel called to do this mission trip?
Like I shared in my letters I sent out, I truly feel that this is my next step in life, and it seems more and more clear every day. As I signed up for my last four classes to take this Fall, and looking at options of what to do after graduation, I felt pulled in so many directions. There were several job opportunities and the option of going straight into working towards a Master's degree in Family and Child Therapy, but I didn't feel either were apart of God's will for my life at this moment.
As funny as it might sound "Sabbatical" popped into my mind. But I didn't laugh. That sounded more sane than a job or continued education. And it was then that God placed on my heart The World Race, something a friend told me about 2 years ago.
I prayed as I pulled up the World Race website, and immediately applied, that if it was God's Will, it would happen.
Here I am just a month and a half from when I applied and I am officially going on the World Race January 2014. I know that without a shadow of a doubt this trip is so far God's biggest blessing He has given me. A chance to say goodbye to America and all the comforts it has given me, grown me, and molded me into… and say "Yes" to God and His will, mission, purpose, and plan for my life over the 11 months that I will be doing His work all over the world.
God truly gave me a heart for others. Sometimes I love so deeply for people that is hurts. That might sound crazy, but I truly feel others happiness, sadness, fear, worry, regret, etc. I love hearing people's personal stories and all the experiences good and bad in their life. I especially love when God comes into the story and shows tremendous healing and restoration. As my "About Me" talks about, I have been through tough times, but even in the middle of some of the toughest moments in life, God put people in my life who loved me like He does and who took care of me for no reason or reward, but because they wanted to.
I strive to be a person that truly loves others with no conditions, because Jesus loves me that way and I have experienced the beauty and joy of unconditional love. There is nothing in the world better. I know I can never love as perfectly as Jesus, but truly I try.
I have many years experience with children, as I have been babysitting and nannying MORE than half of my life! I truly light up watching children learn, develop, and grow. Knowing that I will be working with orphanages and children along my 11 months completely thrills me! I am so excited to teach these little children about Jesus, as I have been so blessed to be able to do for so long.
People really are my interest in life and that is why for so long in college I was torn between Psychology and Public Relations… and will end up graduating with both. All I ever want to do is constantly talk to, inspire, worship and socialize with others, and I can't wait to meet so many new people through this experience!
Above all, I know on this trip God is going to do some major changes in me. I am so ready for God to give me a whole new perspective from this trip to really see Him… outside of my routine, my current mindset, and my sometimes weak heart… and see His big, beautiful, love for this world full of His people who need His love and need to see it through me.
I have never been so certain about anything in my life as I am about going on this mission trip. I am so excited for God to completely change me from the American girl in her twenties searching for love and the next fun thing to do and change it to want what He wants from me for His Kingdom, for His people. I want Him to use me, and I want to be obedient in His calling. I want His will for my life, and not my own.
"For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it." -Matthew 16:25
If you feel led to give financially to my World Race all you have to do is hit the "Support Me" under my photo. I thank you so much for being obedient to God in this giving and knowing fully that your money will be used for His will, plan, and purpose.
I ask for your prayers during this time of preparation for my World Race as well as during my 11 months on the trip.
Thank you, thank you, thank you SO much! God bless you!
Whitney
