It happened; I am fully funded! Or in Colorado girl terms, I have officially climbed the mountain of fundraising.

I remember when I started this support raising journey and I had talked to some mentors and friends who were familiar with support raising. One thing I was consistently told was how the Lord would surprise me in new ways during this process. I don’t really know why, but I was kind of hesitant this would happen. Not because I thought that the Lord wouldn't provide, not because I was ungrateful for those who would choose to support me. But, for some reason I just wasn’t so sure this process would surprise me or offer me any new perspective. Oh how I was wrong. With each person who chose to partner with me, in prayer, encouragement, and financially, I was utterly surprised and in awe. People who barely knew me (or didn't know me at all) took a leap to trust this calling of mine and step in faith with what the Lord was doing to partner with me. Friends and family who have loved me for a long time didn’t hesitate to jump in and support me (even as I know I have been a bad steward of previous support I've received). It was all unexpected. 

Much of my summer, in fact, was unexpected. As some of you may have heard, I had hoped to hike the Colorado trail this summer. Admittedly, I think I was going a bit stir crazy this last school year; I was yearning for adventure. As I went out to start my hike though, I was met with wildfires and smoke unlike what I had expected. I chose to get off the trail. This was such a hard decision (especially because I don’t like “giving up”). What I didn’t know was the blessing that this ended up being. I was offered much more time to spend with my family, and in preparation for this next year. I got the opportunity to go on local adventures and reconnect with old friends in new ways. I got to spend time reconciling with a county I had left my senior year of high school broken. I learned how to sit in slowness (a bit, because let me be so honest I am still definitely learning this). I was also offered the gift to work at the camp I’ve worked at the last 4 years for a few weeks.

Oh and what a gift camp was. I have loved being able to unplug and be in community in ways I don’t experience elsewhere at this camp. This year was no different, and as I got to know new friends and spend time with old friends, the Lord softened my nervousness of meeting and making new friends this upcoming year. 

This is a gift I experienced not only with my coworkers but also with the groups I guided. My first week I got to guide a women's group who I have adored guiding for the last four years (and let me tell you I was jumping for joy when I heard I got to guide this group)! I ended up surprising them (they didn’t know I was at camp) when they came. What a joy! I spent the week gaining so much wisdom from these amazing women, and as I walked out of the week feeling uplifted and grateful I was left to reflect on the goodness of God. “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters” (Psalm 23:2). I didn’t plan to come to camp this year, and as a guide I expect to be the one pouring out. But instead I was poured into during this week of camp. I was offered a sweet breath of joy and peace in the mountains I call home.

And as for my fundraising, when I left to be off the grid for a few weeks, I still had a chunk of support raising left to raise. When I returned to cell service on my off day; I was fully funded. I did not outright ask for financial support, and I certainly was not expecting such a sweet surprise. I was left crying tears of gratitude in the local coffee shop I was borrowing wifi from. The Lord had indeed surprised me in ways I had not expected. And even as I write this blog, I cannot put into words the gratitude and love I feel for each individual who is partnering with me this next year. When I feel like a broken and unworthy vessel, time after time the Lord reminds me that I am his creation, one that is very good. And when I decide I must be a vessel built for pouring out and undeserving of receiving, the Lord uses those around me to pour into and speak life unto me.

We are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19), of whom God has set apart and of which He calls very good (Genesis 1:31). And while we will experience trials and tribulations, the Lord's love for each of us does not falter. His character is good and His love for us is deep. “He makes [us] lie down in green pastures, he leads [us] beside quiet waters” (Psalm 23:2).

Thank you to every person who has chosen to support me in prayer, encouragement, and financially. It is a gift to bring you along on this journey, and I can’t wait to share with you everything I learn, am challenged by, and grow through during this next year. I am officially 10 days away from leaving for training camp. Please be praying that the Lord continues to prepare my heart, and the hearts of my teammates for the race. As I begin camp I would love prayers for any nerves me and my teammates may be feeling, and prayers that our team would mesh well and begin to learn from each other. May the Lord continue to surprise us in new and unexpected ways.