thanks God.

Yesterday was officially one week of living in my new home and let me tell you… WOW!! Easily the best week of my life. This beautiful community is unlike any other. The people here are the best people I’ve ever met, and the Lord just continues to reveal Himself in everything I do. It’s mind blowing. Coming in Wednesday, I had no idea what this was going to look like. I just knew this is what the Lord has called me to do, and it’s all in His hands. So without further ado, this is what my past week has looked like. 

worship.

unity.

love.

surrender.

rest.

humbleness. 

tears (lots of these).

peace. 

These are just a few words to sum up what this past week has looked like.

Worship. Worship here is like nothing I’ve ever seen before. It is completed stripped down, so raw, and so vulnerable. I don‘t think I have ever felt closer to the Lord with worship than I have this week. It is absolutely beautiful, and it is somethingI look forward to every morning.

Unity. Man, the power of community is strong. I have found people here who I know are going to be lifetime friends. The community here is simply looking for one thing in common. To know Jesus and make Him known. We all want to tell the world of His goodness and His love. We want to serve others, pray for the hurting, the sick and the lost. There seriously are no words of how much love I have for this community, and man I am so incredibly thankful for each of their hearts.

Love. We love love. The love of Jesus, MAN. I haven‘t felt the love from the Father like this before, and it so fulfilling and just brings me to tears every time I think about His love. I see His love every day through these people. Loving you when you’re the most vulnerable. Loving you despite your mistakes. Loving you when you don’t deserve it. These people love so well, and it is an absolute honor to know and love them.

Surrender. I never knew what it truly meant to surrender until this week. Surrendering means giving it to God and trusting Him with the hurt and things you can’t control. We are not bound by our own strength. Our strength comes solely from the Lord, and He really showed me that during our fitness hike. I cannot rely on my own strength. Physical, emotional and spiritual. It all comes from the Father.

Rest. By far my favorite thing I have learned. I have always been a “go go go” person. So to be shown what it truly looks like to rest and have no other option but to rest is refreshing. Resting your physical body by laying in the hammock. Resting mentally by sitting with your team and water color painting while laughing and listening to worship music. Resting spiritually by just sitting with the Lord and His word and talking about your day. Rest is such an important part of our lives and such a life changer. Ive told my leader (shoutout to Leanna), that this is the most relaxed, joyous, peaceful week I have ever experienced. I get to just rest knowing that we serve such a good and loving Father.

 Humbleness. Humbleness this week, to me has looked like taking bucket showers and washing my laundry in a bucket. I absolutely love doing both of these, especially washing my laundry in a bucket. There is just something about hand washing your own and helping your teammates wash there clothes. When I did laundry on Tuesday, I began to think about Jesus washing the disciples feet and it caught me off guard. Helping your teammate with there clothes is not only fun, but it‘s example of Jesus’ love. Its the simplest thing, yet the Lord showed me that He can reveal Himself in any way, you just have to have your heart open for Him.

Tears. MAN. I haven’t shed this many tears in I dont know when. The overwhelming love of the Father is unlike anything I have ever felt before. I have cried tears at testimonies,worship, sermons, snakes in my shower (yes this happened yesterday when I was about to shower and I bawled but World Race things haha), and community. I cry over the fact that I simply cannot believe that the Lord has chosen me to be apart of something so wonderful and important. And last, I have cried over the people He has blessed me with here. I could not imagine this experience without any of them.

Peace. Something I haven’t truly felt in a long time, and it is so nice to experience not once again, but every day. The amount of time I have to just sit and relax is unbelievable. The Lord has seriously been so so good to me during this time. I have seen Him more this week than I have in a long time. 

 

Okay. I know that was a lot, but the Lord woke me up at 6am this morning moving me to write this blog because I honestly didn’t know what I wanted my next blog to be about, but i just listened and I am so thankful I have now. It has made me just more in awe of the Father and His love this past week. 

If you read all of that… thank you! I cannot wait to share more about this precious experience I get to call life. 

 

Now about fundraising. Very short and simple. 

I am $4,345 away from being fully funded!

wow God!!!

I need $15,800 in order to stay apart of this incredible journey and life changing experience. 

If you feel lead to give at all, you can donate through the this blog by clicking the orange button that says “Donate!”. I do accept venmo (@gracieharris5). I do accept checks, but since I am not at home there is a different way you can send checks!! 

My new mailing address is: 

49 Quarry St. Gainesville, GA,30501.

You can send the check to the address above with my name on the check OR if you would like your donation to tax-deductible, you can send it to the address below with my name in the memo line.

6000 Wellspring Trail, Gainesville, GA, 30506.

 

Wow that was a lot, but thank you for reading!!!! I love you all so much!!

THANKS GOD!!!!!! 

 

much love,

gracie <3