Training Camp is in less than a week.  This coming Saturday I will have the privilege of meeting the people that I will be serving alongside for 11 months.  I am so excited!!! Sadly, with this excitement comes a a bittersweet taste as I found out that one of my squad-mates-to-be was killed in a car accident about a week ago.  She was 23.  

It was shocking to hear of this news.  How could someone preparing for something like the World Race die so suddenly?  The only explanation is that our Father in heaven called His daughter home.  Based upon all of the posts and articles written about her, Anastasia was an incredible girl who loved the Lord with all of her heart.  I have no doubt that she is celebrating in heaven.  

The reactions of all of my squadmates proved to be incredible.  We were all taken aback and incredibly sad for her family and friends left behind.  Hearing of this certainly put the preciousness of life back into sharp clarity. Our plan is to write her name on our arms for the first day of Training Camp in memory of her.  She had designed a t-shirt for a fundraiser and we are all going to purchase one to bring with us on the Race.  Our intent is to have pictures to send to her family showing that while she may not have made it physically to the Race, she is absolutely with us for this journey.  Watching all of these plans develop made me that much more humbled and impressed by the people that I get to meet in a short time.  Our squad was given the identifier of the letter F and there will be D, E, and G Squads.  We've taken to calling ourselves (F)amily.  We may not have met in person yet but we certainly feel like the beginnings of a family, especially with the recent loss of Anastasia.  

This entire process of choosing to do the World Race, fundraising, and beyond has been filled with lessons.  There is one that I can feel developing that will be ongoing throughout my Race.  I will learn to cry.  Not that I do not already know how, I'm just really not one to let that particular emotion hang out in front of many people.  I'd classify myself as a private crier, however, I can feel a movement towards gaining the ability to let the tears roll.  My heart broke for Anastasia's family and my heart will be broken more times than I can count in the next 11 months.  I'm not saying the breaking is a bad thing or that crying is shameful.  Both are highly encouraged because the times when are heart breaks for other people I think help connect us more with God.  His heart certainly breaks for His people as should ours.  Bring on the crocodile tears.  

Someone posted this (I think one of my squadmates) several weeks ago and I loved it. Very fitting for recent events and this upcoming journey.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5-EwrhsMzY

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Also, I made my first fundraising goal of $3500! Thanks to everyone who has supported me thus far.  It has been absolutely incredible and humbling to experience the generosity of so many.  I cannot express my gratitude adequately so I am left with simply saying THANK YOU. My next step is to design a t-shirt.  Be on the look-out for that this week!

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