Hello everybody!! Welcome to my very first blog post!
It’s officially been one week at World Race training camp. You all have been so kind and faithful to walk alongside me—from the day I committed to going, all the way to now. For that, I am so thankful. Thank you for the countless prayers, the love and support you’ve poured out not just to me but to my family as well. Thank you for giving toward my fundraising and registry. It has been incredible to see how God has provided through each of you and how He’s used your generosity and encouragement in my story.
A few years ago, I was taught the words ‘abide, connect, share’ and showed me I was missing a key part of that—community. So, I began praying for it: people my age, younger, older, all of it. And God, in His faithfulness, answered. He’s given me each and every one of you. You’ve impacted me in so many ways—shaping me, encouraging me, and pushing me to grow deeper in my faith. For that, I am forever grateful.
Nothing at all could have prepared me for this first week of training camp or for how God was going to move. The only word I have to describe this week is “beginning.” God has graciously stripped me of everything familiar and has walked with me into a new season of life—a season of growth, challenge, joy, and renewal. It is such a unique experience to step into a new place with new people, new teaching, and new worship, but it has been so beautiful to begin this journey knowing only the Lord. To begin with Him by my side as my closest friend. It has been so sweet and so filling. He’s already taught me so much about who He is and who I am in Him. He’s shown me what it means to define myself by His truth, to call Him Father, and to walk each day in constant prayer—asking Him the big and small questions and also learning to just sit quietly and listen. And as God has moved me away from the community I already love so dearly back home, He’s also given me the sweetest, most wholesome new friends here—people I now get to love the Lord alongside and share the gospel with. I’ve gotten to sit with Him and just hang out with Him in His creation so often, something I never really gave myself enough time to do before. And it is so filling to love the Lord with all that I have.
And of course, He’s been opening my eyes to little blessings I usually take for granted. For example—everyone, go praise God for your laundry machines!! We hand-wash and hang-dry everything here. It’s hard and so different, but God used even that to show me how blessed we are by things we often call “simple.”
Right now I’m living in a tent, trying new foods, and spending a lot of time in hammocks. World Race is interdenominational, which means I get to witness a beautiful variety of spiritual gifts and expressions of worship. It’s been eye-opening and life-changing to not only see but hear other people’s faith lived out. Each day’s teaching equips us to love God and others more, root our identity in His Word rather than the world, and go out to share the gospel effectively.
I cannot wait for the months to come, and I’m so excited to keep sharing what the Lord continues to do. Thank you for being part of this journey with me—I wouldn’t be here without your prayers, encouragement and love. I adore you all!!
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