Hello everyone! I realized it’s been a while since I’ve blogged, so I figured I’d give you all an update.
As of right now I’m 24% funded! Praise the Lord! Thank you to all of you who have supported and walked alongside me on this journey, it means the world to me!
I’m currently planning on traveling back to Kansas for a couple weeks during graduation season to visit my family and talk to a couple of the local churches. Presently, I’m set to talk for a few minutes at Calvary Gospel Church on May 18, and at Harvest E-Free (tentatively) on May 25. I can’t wait to share more about what I will be doing on the World Race, and see everyone again! I miss all you “Goodlanites,” as my dad calls you, and company terribly! I’m also tossing around the idea of doing a bake sale here in Texas in the following months, so I’ll keep you posted.
In other news, I’ve been collecting and researching the supplies I’ll need for this next year, which is crazy in its own right. As most of you probably already know, part of living on the race for nine months entails carrying everything I own in a 65-70 liter backpack, meaning that if it doesn’t fit in my bag it cannot come with me.
Which is a scary thought! But, also kind of fun at the same time. Keep in mind I’m going to have to lug it across several countries, so it’s a good thing I can’t pack everything that comes to my mind. Nevertheless, at times I find myself thinking, “WHAT AM I DOING?!”
However, when I’m overwhelmed I can find comfort in John 14: 5-7!
” Thomas said to him, “Lord we don’t know where we are going, so how can we know the way?
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him. “
–John 14:5-7
A few of my Squad Mates, who I’ve been able to talk to via text, started messaging the other day about more of the specifics we were planning on packing, and it took me by surprise. I was like, “Is it really time to start thinking about this?!” Then, I looked at the calendar and realized training camp is four months away! What?! When did that happen?!
Don’t worry, I’m not completely unprepared! I tried out my sleeping pad back in January, and pick out my backpack a few weeks ago (thank you Uncle Seth and Aunt Haley). Getting the backpack was a little overwhelming, more so than I imagine the tent will be. I mean, the backpack will be the literal home for my home (everything that will make where I am feel like home while I’m on the go) which makes it one of the more important items.
It would be kind of hard to travel carrying everything with just two hands and sheer will! 😂
Anyway, here’s a little insight into my life recently.
I’ve gotten settled into the routine of living here in Texas. I was asked the other day, if I did in fact “end up going to some rando youth group.” The answer is yes, two in fact!
After a couple months of trying to connect with people at the TH Youth Group and not having any success, I finally resigned myself to looking elsewhere, an idea that I was inherently apprehensive of. It was an awfully hard decision considering that I didn’t have many interactions with people outside of those few hours on Wednesday nights and it meant I would have to start over somewhere else. I felt as if I had wasted two months of the limited time I had left here before the race, and I was down trodden and worried I’d be left in the same position somewhere else; that it would all be for nothing.
In early January, I finally mustered the courage to give another youth group a shot. What could it hurt, right? Besides, TH Youth Group wasn’t going to be in session that night anyway.
I ended up absolutely loving the new group! After, the first night I couldn’t stop talking to my parents about it and the people I had met! The next Wednesday I’d be able to attend couldn’t come fast enough!
The people at Benchmark have been so kind, encouraging, welcoming, and answer to my prayers! (Literally started crying as I was writing this.) It makes me incredibly happy to have found a community in them! Though, this chapter of my life may be shorter than I would like it to be, I’m ready to make the most of it! I can’t wait to see where God leads these wonderful people!
High School Girls Retreat
Thank you N, L, A, R, J, Z, K, A, and A for being such good friends!
Praises:
- That I was able to find such an amazing community here in Texas!
- That my sister, Bridget, has made it through two major surgeries with in the past four months and is still fighting, strong.
- That Olivia O., made it through her SMAS surgery, and has gone back to school again and is eating again. You are a vision of hope!
Prayers:
- That Bridget’s last surgery worked and she can go back to being a “normal” teenager.
- That these next could weeks of Senior Year go off without a hitch! Senioritis is starting to hit hard!
- For, C&F, M&M, and L.
Thank you to everyone who has stuck with me through this, even those I have yet to meet!
I’d be happy to answer any questions you may have, so please don’t hesitate to ask! If you feel led to partner with me, you can do so in a number of ways: by joining my prayer team (I’d be happy to have you!), supporting me financially (my support link is attached to the blog page), or by sharing mine and my Squad Mates’ stories. If you know anyone who might be interested in serving in this ministry I’d be glad to talk to them!
Thank you so much for reading this! I hope you continue to follow along on my journey with the Lord!
God Bless! Have a great day!
–Olivia
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