Hey there! It’s been a while but I am sure glad to be able to post blogs without hesitation or concern. I’ve got a lot to update you on, but for the sake of your email inbox-I am probably only going to send about 3 or 4 blog postings to you from the time of leaving Nepal to China to where I am at now, Kyrgyzstan. If you would like to read anymore-please feel free to scroll through my blog postings because I think I’ve posted about 10 more in this last month. Woah! Many good things have happened, & I love to write about them! Below is a reflection of my halfway thoughts.
How are we halfway already?!
The next 5 months seem a bit daunting at first, but I am still oh so excited! Below is a hodge podge of reflections, gratitudes, goals, & future ambitions I have that I would love to share with you as I continue this wild journey for the next several months. Enjoy!
What is something I have grown in? I have learned and stepped more into embracing healthy confrontation rather than fearing it. I have learned how to build up “Godly tough skin” & confront my brothers and sisters when there is a problem rather than avoid it out of not wanting to rock the boat. I have actually learned that “Rocking the boat” can be a really good and healthy thing when done in love, honor, respect, care for the other & compassion. I have learned so much about communicating-& am so thankful for it too!
What is something I would like to grow into more? I would like to grow more in discernment of what God is doing & stepping into that with him to be a vessel wherever I go. I would also like to grow more into stepping out in boldness as Holy spirit leads. Words of knowledge, prophecy, prayer for healing, the gift of faith, etc. These are gifts made to bless the world & I want to be all that I can be to bless the world & not jip anyone of that one bit 🙂
What is one of my favorite memories? Meeting a once stranger, now friend in India who gave his life to Jesus Christ with complete surrender & JOY! It inspired me so much & I consider this person a forever friend of mine. He is like a big brother to me
Most embaressing moment? No one ever saw, for it was in the middle of the night. Moral of the story-I was super sick & was having some serious toilet trouble. Enough said right there. I don’t want to give TMI !
What is the most risky thing I’ve done so far on the race? I shared the gospel to a group of friends I made on the train going through China & it created a bit of a “crowd around”. A little unknowingly, & I admit, knowing a little bit more, I was aware this could had led to me being questioned by authorities. But I felt the peace to do so & they were the ones who initially asked me what I was reading so I just went for it. & mom, don’t worry! I did not get into any trouble, the favor of the Lord was upon us!
When did I feel most scared on the race? Probably when we drove a large bus through roads that were questionable & had cliffs with no railings along with huge potholes, mud everywhere, and you could feel the entire bus tipping back and forth majority of the time. It was wild!
What was my favorite day so far on the race? The morning I spent with a new friend teaching him about what the bible is & seeing his face light up like no other! Or going to the school for the blind & visiting with Uncle & Aunty there! Or flying over Mount Everest!
What has been my favorite country? They’ve all been special and unique in their own way, but India I must say was my all time favorite so far!
What’s been one of the hardest parts of the race? Missing you! I miss my friends & family back in the states a whole lot. I just want to hug you, but that will come soon enough!
What was the funniest moment so far? Playing soccer with my friends in India shouting and screaming like little kids “team China! Team Italia! Team India! Team America!” We made a goal out of two palm trees in the courtyard and when I was the goalie for a short period of time, one of my friends kicked the soccer ball and it hit the palm tree, as I was starring at where the soccer ball went- after it hit the palm tree it came back and directly hit ME in the FACE! How embaressing & hilarious at the same time! Though my face felt numb for a few minutes afterward-it did not stop any of us from continuing the exciting soccer game.
What am I looking forward to in the next several months? I am so excited to see my mom & dad at Parent Vision Trip in Georgia, come September! I also can hardly wait to experience Turkey & visit Morocco (that will be the last country woah!) I am so excited to continue to share the good news to those around me that I meet. I love making new friends & I love to share the love of Jesus to those around me!
Hebrews 12:1-2 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”
Love your beauty and boldness, and the light and joy you carry my sister! I can’t believe we’re finally on a team together, God knows and he has the best timing :))) I’m learning so much from you! Pumped for doing life and ministry with you the next half of the Race!
Alyssa. Sweet Alyssa! I love you. He does have the best time. You are right 🙂