all the feelings.

hey folks! hows it going?? 

only 8 DAYS until i launch for world race: gap year. eeeeek!! 

quick update on fundraising before i share whats been on my heart::: 

 

i have surpassed my deadline in order to go to Gainesville with flying colors!!! PRAISE JESUS! 

i now am only a little over $4,000 away from being FULLY FUNDED! how awesome is that?? all whilst in a pandemic.

i mean we serve such an awesome and promising God!!

it would be the biggest blessing if you could you help me reach my final deadline of $15,800 by next Wednesday, September 2nd!!! 

 you can donate in a few different ways:

through this blog by clicking “Donate!”/ venmo: gracieharris5 / checks: they can be made out to me  OR you can make it out to Adventures in Missions with my name on the memo line in order for it to be tax-deductible 

just let me know if you have any questions please!!!

 

alright, back to the meaning of this blog. 

 

everything has felt so surreal lately. i now have my sleeping bag, tent, my big pack (which is gonna be holding 3 months of clothes and toiletries) and even a small light to hang in my tent!! i even did a practice pack the other night with my mom, and it was so much fun! 

this has been all so exciting, yet so terrifying at the same time. i have so much peace, yet i have sadness. 

 

ever since i was around 13 or 14, i felt the longing of going somewhere. i always wanted to move away and do bigger things away from my home town. i wanted to travel, but now that its actually happening, its scary. because all i want to do is sit in my living room with my family and fur-babies and watch a movie ive never seen before because my dad insists its the BEST movie… why? because its in my comfort zone and what im familiar with. 

 

through the last month, the Lord has really taught me the importance of togetherness and unity. He has shown me the importance of being with friends and family. 

not gonna lie, i was laying in bed a few nights ago so restless at the thought of leaving my family. it wasnt even the fear of being away from home or nervousness that kids typically feel leaving for college or anything else. 

i broke down in tears just praying because it made me so sad. i started thinking about all the emotions i was going to be feeling come next wednesday. i then felt the sudden urge to text my sweet alumni leader at 1 AM. she immediately responded to me and prayed for me. she reminded me that its okay to have all the feelings i have. she reminded me that the Lord calls us to do this. she reminded me that the Lord has called me to be apart of this amazing journey. she reminded me that im not alone in this part of my journey that there are so many people my age and apart of this journey who are experiencing the same thing. 

 

though i have been so sad about leaving my family and community, the Lord is giving me a new family and a new community of people who are seeking after the Lords heart and seeking to serve the Lord in selfless, humble ways. it makes me beyond excited that im going to be surrounded by these people. 

i really hope yall enjoyed this small blog. i felt like i needed to share something that has been on my heart lately. 

thank you to everyone who has supported me and loved me through this journey! it has been so rewarding so far and i cannot wait to see what else the Lord is going to do!!

 

much love

gracie <3