To the passengers on flight 2490 from ATL to BWI:
I would like to apologize. If you happen to be reading this and do not recall who I am, I was the 18 year old male with:
- blonde highlights (my entire lacrosse team did it, no judgement)
- a sweatshirt in the 100° heat (I had just played ultimate frisbee in the shirt I was wearing underneath, so that’s what that smell was)
- cargo shorts that were stained with good ole Georgia Clay (I know it’s 2016, but cargos were my cleanest shorts)
- Chaco’s (yes, the rubber Jesus sandals)
To September ’16 Gap Year Squad H:
I would like to thank you. Thank you for:
- allowing me to put any idea of judgment away (that outfit would be nothing more than ordinary at training camp)
- kicking my tent every morning at 7 a.m (TSA took my alarm clock)
- encouraging me to throw up everyday (when your name is chanted, don’t chug 3/4 of a gallon of water or attempt to eat 40 tortillas all stacked together)
- talking me out of getting a dragon tattooed on my entire back (that was never going to happen, but I scared a bunch of people)
- allowing me to throw 3 boxes of Pop-Its fireworks at you (y’all really didn’t “allow” me to, but thanks for not killing me for them)
- ^^^all the southerners somehow teaching every racer from every state, or province, to say “y’all” (yes, there may be Canadians on your squad, and contrary to the myth, Canadians are people too)
- figuring out how to plug the hose into the shower piping so we didn’t have to take bucket showers everyday (I really hope Lesley isn’t reading this, she probably is, probably shouldn’t have kept this in the blog, If I’m not at Launch, you’ll all know why now)
- staying up with me until 6 a.m to help each through our past struggles (its not like we had to get up, workout, and start our day at 7 or anything…)
- allowing me to share my testimony unfiltered and still be accepted and loved
- worshipping with me for countless hours in addition to praying every hour of the day and never growing tired of it
- for saying no to the world but YES to God
- giving me 42 new brothers and sisters that I am willing to lay down my life for
To the Adventures in Missions staff:
I would like to thank you as well. Thank you for:
- taking my luggage for a night to prepare me for real race scenarios (sleeping on concrete isn’t all its made out to be)
- forcing me to hike 12 miles through mountains with 40 lbs on my back (I’m 99.9% sure that Deon doesn’t experience pain)
- finally allowing me to sleep in air conditioning for one night (along with the lights on, airport noises, still having to use the porta potty outside, and 32° room temp – this is directed to our Canadian racers: that’s FREEZING in Fahrenheit)
- feeding me an assortment of chicken feet and organs (peanut sauce can go a long way… except on the talons, don’t eat the talons)
- giving us a day off so half our squad can go to Chick-fil-a (and New Vision Tattoo, but hopefully Squad H’s parents aren’t figuring this out by my blog…)
- countless hours of mentoring, worshiping, praying, and loving over our squad
- breaking me down and remolding me as the child God wants me to be
- turning me into “that kid” on the airplane, I just never realized that “that kid” doesn’t just look goofy and smell for no reason, he may have an amazing story as well
Happy Birthday Clay
Luke 9:23 “Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”
I’m ecstatic to be surrounded by a selfless family who is willing to put themselves aside and make disciples of all nations. Jesus Never Fails
