After moving to a different city, even after a week, life has seemed a little different. On the bright side, my grandpa has lived here my whole life and longer, so it wasn’t an entirely new city, but definitely different to live in, plus the fact that we don’t know very many people right now. I don’t have a job, I haven’t found a new church yet, and I’m an online student. In other words, I don’t have any commitments yet to keep me busy outside of the house. The other day I was in bed until 10am for the first time in a long time and didn’t feel bad about it. Since it’s only been about a week since we’ve moved, I’m not too shaken up about it. But if week two comes around, and all the same dynamics are going on, I might feel differently. A couple nights ago I somewhat spontaneously decided to go to an art show hosted by The Giving Keys in Downtown Los Angeles. I say “somewhat spontaneously” because I knew about the event a couple days prior, but didn’t actually decide to go until that afternoon. On a side note, I wasn’t quite sure if my mom was going to be alright with me spending the evening in Downtown LA by myself on a Friday evening. (Please erase all those horrible scenarios that may have just come to mind, okay?) So I go to the event. I get a little more dressed up than I usually do (let me just say, that I almost never get “dressed up” so this was pretty fun), drove an hour through LA traffic, had a really good talk on the phone with a really good friend to keep me company, and made my way there. I had never visited the Art District before, and just got pretty excited driving into the area. Since I got there a little early, I found an eclectic-looking coffee house just a block or so from where the art show was. I was one of the first people in the art show and starting looking around before it got too busy. The show itself was pretty amazing. The Giving Keys showcased art from a couple artists local to the LA area, but part of the focus of the night was the art from people who have worked for and with The Giving Keys. (Disclaimer: I am not getting paid to say this and rave about this amazing company.) Not only does this company sell jewelry that encourage, inspires, and emboldens people, but they also employ homeless people with the hope they can have a better future than they might have imagined. The ones who had contributed to the art show came up with quotes that embodied their struggles and where they are today and portrayed them as a work of art. But they didn’t stop there. We got to hear first hand inspiring stories and wisdom from them. Soon after arriving at the event, I had met a young woman around my age who is staying in the area for the summer. After talking for a while, we found common ground: we are both Christian. Oh and we also got a little starstruck a couple times... All this to say, I am really thankful for that night. I learned that if I step even the slightest out of my comfort zone, amazing things can happen. A couple years ago, actually probably 9-12 months ago, I wouldn’t have considered doing any of what I did that night. I look back over the years and think of myself as a pretty reserved & sometimes withdrawn person. I was only my true self, if that, when around the people that I have known the longest or meant the most to me. Especially in high school, I was not comfortable in my own skin, and was certainly not confident in the woman God had made me to be. Oh how times have changed. If the only option for me to go to the event was alone, I would have flaked out. I definitely wouldn’t have gone out of my way to talk with someone I had never met, and later exchange phone numbers. I am so so thankful for the newfound confidence that only God could have instilled in me. Honestly, it makes life a lot more fun that way. As I was driving home, I smiled, laughed a little, and thought to myself, I really surprise myself sometimes.
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92 days before the experience and trip of a lifetime.
Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I I've you is light."
Matthew 11:28-30 I've been focusing on rest. But not rest in the sense of having more time on Saturdays to watch Netflix, but I want to take time that God has blessed me with to rest in him. To rest in who he is, and who he says I am. To rest in his presence, his character, his love, his kindness. Personally, I tend to see God and rest fully in Him when I'm outside, in nature. When i'm in the midst of His creation, I have a better grasp of who He is. Do yourself a favor and rest. ** Update on my mission trip with Adventures in Missions next fall!
Fundraising is a huge feat and I am still at a slow start, but I am learning that one of the best ways to go about this is to be real, authentic, and open with the people who are choosing to join in on this journey with me. Side note: even though financial support is great, needed, and so appreciated, the best support I will carry with me all the way through this 9-month trek is the emotional and spiritual support. So this is where I am at with fundraising: If you visit my World Race blog and see the fundraising progress bar that is $736 that I had remaining from my recent trip to Haiti earlier this year. The other $757 came out of my personal savings that I am devoting to the World Race. My mom and I sat down recently, and after praying, brainstorming, and really considering how to go about raising this money, we decided that I will continue ongoing fundraisers (recycling, multiple garage sales, small jobs along the way, etc), I will plan 1-2 fun events (concert, breakfast event, dinner event, etc), and among the most important is I will be saving a significant amount ($3,000-$4,000). My heart behind saving my own money for this is to let my other supporters know that while I am relying on generous, supportive, and giving people to partner along with me, I also want to let them know that the World Race is something I am willing to financially work towards. I feel so honored and grateful to God to have had this opportunity set before me, and always always love and appreciate the support along the way. ** Update & feelings on fundraising from my blog leading up to my mission trip this fall with Adventures in Missions.
On Friday, October 23, I got the phone call that I have been accepted for the World Race! It was wonderful, assuring, comforting, pretty amazing, almost unbelievable, so cool, and many other emotions. Almost a month later, I am so so thankful and grateful that this is the beautiful and fulfilling life I am blessed to live. Also in the past few weeks, I have began to learn and realize much about myself and what this process and journey is and may look like. Since the majority of the preparation over the next eleven months relates to fundraising, that has been my primary focus. 13,500. 13,500. That number seems so daunting. I'm a full-time college student working two part-time jobs. I don't make that much in one year, and i'm supposed to fundraise that. I'm not saying i'm doubting how big and good God is, all i'm saying is that is a seemingly daunting and big number. I believe in a God who is bigger and more powerful than any dollar amount. I believe in a God who gave me this opportunity for a reason. I'm choosing to live fearless, undaunted, and stronger than money. If God is on my side, nothing can be against me. Thank you so much for choosing to follow along and join in on this journey with me. Your support and encouragement means the world to me! |
This is a blog about the ups & downs of early
adulthood, God's goodness & faithfulness, & life in other countries. “Look at the nations and watch— and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told."
Habakkuk 1:5 NIV Archives
June 2017
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