As my departure for the World Race gets closer, I’ve found myself experiencing so many different emotions all at once. I’m excited for what God has in store, nervous about the unknown, scared to leave my family and the comforts of home, eager to be used for His Kingdom, and at times battling doubts that I know are not from the Lord. It’s a strange feeling to hold all of these emotions together, but I’m learning that I don’t have to sort them all out on my own. Instead, I simply need to bring them honestly before God.

The Lord has continually reminded me of Psalm 62:8:"Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge."

I also think of the many Psalms David wrote. David never hid his emotions from God. Whether he was afraid, discouraged, joyful, confused, or overwhelmed, he poured out everything before the Lord. That has been such an encouragement to me. God already knows every thought, fear, and emotion in my heart, so there is freedom in bringing them honestly to Him. When I do, He faithfully meets me with a peace that surpasses my own understanding.

One of the hardest parts of preparing for this journey has been realizing what I'm leaving behind. Saying goodbye to my family, routines, and comforts isn't easy. There is genuine sorrow that comes with that. But in those moments, the Lord keeps bringing me back to Luke 9:23, “Then he said to them all: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.’” I know Jesus is calling me to something much bigger than myself, and I need to let go of anything that I put above or prioritize over Him.

Following Christ often means surrendering the things we naturally cling to. While that surrender can be painful, I know God is using it to refine me and make me more like Jesus. His plans are always better than my own, even when they require sacrifice.

As the trip draws closer, I've also noticed spiritual warfare more than ever before. Doubt, distractions, fear, and discouragement have all tried to creep in and steal my focus. The enemy would love nothing more than for me to question God's calling or become consumed by fear instead of faith.

But every time those doubts arise, God faithfully reminds me that He has called me here. In many different ways throughout this season, He has continued to confirm that I am exactly where He wants me to be. One moment especially stands out to me.

This summer I've been training by hiking with my backpack fully loaded to prepare for the World Race. During one of those hikes, I met another woman on the trail. She noticed my large pack and asked what I was training for. That simple question opened the door for me to share what Christ is doing in my life and how He has called me to this mission.

She smiled and told me that her son had done something similar. She encouraged me, shared how she leads a women's Bible study to build other women up in Christ, said she would keep me in her prayers, and reminded me to keep trusting the Lord. It was such a simple conversation, but it felt like such a clear reminder from God. He used a complete stranger on a hiking trail to encourage me exactly when I needed it.

That encounter reminded me that God is always at work, not only in my life, but in the lives of others. He creates moments we could never plan ourselves to reassure us that we are walking in His will. It was another confirmation that He is leading each step of this journey.

As I continue preparing to leave, I'm choosing to trust Him with every emotion I carry. Excitement, fear, anticipation, sorrow, joy, and uncertainty can all exist together. None of them surprise God. He simply invites me to keep bringing them to Him, trusting that He will faithfully lead me one step at a time.

Thank you all for walking alongside me through your encouragement, prayers, and support. I cannot wait to see what God does in the months ahead, and I'm so grateful to have each of you on this journey with me.

Prayer Requests:

• Please pray that I would continue to surrender everything to Jesus with joyful obedience, trusting Him above my own comforts, plans, and desires.

• Pray that I would recognize and stand firm against the enemy's schemes, allowing God to use this season to strengthen my faith and continue building His Kingdom.

• Pray that the Lord would prepare my heart for all that lies ahead and continue shaping me to look more like Christ.

• Pray for my teammates as they prepare to leave as well. Ask that God would unite us, encourage one another, strengthen our relationships, and prepare us to serve Him together with humility, love, and boldness.

• Pray that, through every step of this journey, God would receive all the glory.