some of the things I’ve learned on the race!!:
leaving for the race:
– fundraising is possible
– if God wants you somewhere He will get you there. All money is His.
– take leaps of faith even if they scare you
Costa Rica:
– I have a voice, I need to learn how to use it when I am around people that speak English
– language barriers are challenging, but smiles, dancing, singing, laughing and miming tears down those walls
– you would be surprised how much people open up when you gather a group of people and tell them it is emo hours
– church is not a physical building, it can be a group of people
– I am worthy of being loved
– I am wise, and people want to hear my wisdom
– community is essential and while it can be uncomfortable at times, it is a glimpse of heaven
– not everyone is out to get you
– people are messy but that’s what makes them them. God delights in our messiness.
– grace
South Africa:
– you can choose fun over time with the Lord and end up with short bursts of happiness but not joy
– all I want to do in my life is seek the Lord
-seek Him and you will find Him
– you can worship through dance
– find joy in the uncomfortable
– how to fully surrender to the Lord
-when you surrender something to the Lord, He will return it you better than it was when you gave it to Him, or He will take it away from you and give you something better
– He is patient
– He loves me. A lot.
– be present in your situation even if you hate it
– your suffering will end
– my job in the kingdom might not be as recognized and praised by man, but it is still just as important in the eyes of the Lord
Thailand:
– choosing the Lord daily is something that is essential to my life, and while it is essential it is something I can easily not do….and when I do, I feel the effects.
– God deserves radical devotion, and I don’t give that to Him
– God finish’s what He starts
– there is power in our intersession, and that is something I want to do daily
– be still in the presence of the Lord
– stay present
– my actions have consequences and I have to own up to them even if it wasn’t my intention
– again, God has grace
– surrender daily
– I don’t need to be on the frontlines of ministry, sometimes the most impact I have on the kingdom at one point is moving boxes and making jokes with Patrick
– go where God has you placed in a season joyfully and 100% in even if you don’t understand
-Asia is not scary, it’s actually safe and fun lol
Myanmar:
-time doesn’t care if you want it to slow down, it won’t
– the relationship I have with my team is something that I have never experienced, or can put into words. I love them so much.
– I need to be more servant hearted
– the God that was so tangible to me in this season is the same God that is going to be with me as I transition back home
– I miss my friends and family
– I am scared to go home, but I can do it and I will be ok
– I wish I learned a second language when I was a kid
– joy is contagious
– I’m a good teacher
– you can form bonds with kids through broken English, nicknames and bad dance moves
– seasons change but His love remains
I land in the states in 8 days. 8 days!!! I really do not know where the time went. I’ve been saying the whole race that the days are long, and the months are short. The months are really short. Soooo with coming home in a little over a week here are some things I want to say:
– Thank you to everyone that supported me, whether it was financially or in prayer, I could not have done this without you. I wish I could accurately portray to you how much this has meant to me and how much you have impacted not only my life but the kingdom. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for the support. I am so excited to see you in person and tell you the story’s and testimonies that you made happen! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
– I come home in a few days and I am sooo excited to tell you about my year, but it was 9 months of my life. I am not going to be able to accurately portray it to you in one conversation, but I want to tell you about it! If you ask me “how was your trip” I will say “good”…and that’s it because I do not know how to sum up this year for you. It wasn’t a trip for me. It was 9 months of my life. I don’t think I have even fully processed it all yet. So, please ask me specific questions like “What was your favorite country ministry wise?”, “What was your most embarrassing moment?”, “How did you grow in your relationship with the Lord?”, “What was your favorite memory?”etc. or even pull up the list above and ask me about what I learned! Every bullet point comes with a story. If we sit down for coffee and you just pull up this list I will be so happy! Also, I want to know about your life! I lived a whole nine months, but so did you! Don’t just listen to me talk for hours…I want to hear about you too! I can’t wait to see you all!
You are so SPECIAL in this world of ours. We’re so proud of all you’ve accomplished in these nine months. Pray your Parents will bring you to Houston so I can hug you in person. Safe travels home.
I AM SO EXCITED TO SEE YOU AND GIVE YOU A REAL HUG AHHH
God has grown you so much! Loved reading all God has revealed throughout these past nine months. Believing the list will grow as you continue your journey with the Father beyond the Race! Love and miss you!
So honored that I get to call the woman who wrote this blog my daughter, friend and sister in Christ. Thank you for listening to the Lord’s calling to take a Gap Year and and not being swayed by my concerns that it would be a distraction or slow down your progress toward adulthood. I am in awe of the things He has shown you and jealous of the experiences you have had. Thank you for modeling so many characteristics that I want to work on in my own faith.
So well said Hallie. We are ready to have you home but know it will be a transition. I will start developing my bulleted list of questions!!! 🙂
i love u so much and im so excited to see u i could cry
Girl. This is awesome. I LOVE hearing all Jesus did in you and taught you over these last 9 months. I am really proud of who you are. Love you a lot.