I started this blog with "God continues to show up in amazing ways and places!"   But, as I was writing, I realized that God doesn't just show up when His calendar is free or when He has nothing better to do.  He is bigger than that--much bigger. God is always right here with us, waiting on us to get to know Him. If we don't see God's presence on any given day, is that His fault?  Of course not.  He wants us to turn to Him--to get to know who He is---to understand His character.  We can do this through studying what He has said about Himself in the Bible and by getting to know Him in prayer.  Joshua 1:9 says "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."   

Now, back to my original purpose of this blog post.  God's handprints are all over my fundraising efforts and He is amazing. I am almost 95% funded!!!!!  Only three months ago I was at the beginning of this journey. The task of raising $16,000 to go on the World Race was daunting to me--it scared me to my core.  What if I don't succeed?  What if I come up short? What if I don't have enough friends willing to help? The embarrassment of missing this goal and having to tell those who did support me that I failed lingered in the back of my mind.  However, my parents reminded me that it was not about Sasha...it was about God.  So, I turned to Him.  Wow!  I have along way to go to get over my own fears and insecurities.  However, living a life that puts the big stuff in God's hand's allows me to begin letting go bit by bit.     

       So, I leave my friends and family for Gainesville, Georgia, in 4 weeks to attend boot camp and launch.  Once again, that is way scary for me.  The good news is that I am beginning to rely more and more on His promises.  We've got this.  Now, I have to figure out how to get nine months worth of clothes, shoes, a tent, sleeping bag and pad, flashlight, toiletries, shoes and other stuff into a single backpack.  Now, that is truly scary. 

Keep praying for me...love ya.  Sasha.