Posted in General Posts by elizabeth gonzalez on 5/17/2012
Sorry in advance because I write/type as I speak/think so it's bound to be a little scattered......
I'm starting to get things ready for training camp and the world race. Got most of my "equipment" and now just trying to get emotionally ready....that is a little harder to do. I don't think I'll actually be ready to leave but God's preparing my heart for what I'm going to encounter and leave behind. But one thing I've noticed the more I tell people about what I'll be doing this next year is that I'm praised for doing something so "selfless", I feel uncomfortable. It's like being seen as a "missionary" automatically gets you into the candidancy for "the best Chrisitian award", which is definitley not me. I'm not gonna lie in the beginning I did have this perception that I would automatically be a better, more knowledgeable Christian. Well it doesn't happen that way. If I want to change I gotta start now. Not that I won't grow on the race, because that I know for sure I will. But doing God's work in other countries isn't gonna give me my angel wings, it's what we're called to do as Christians. We can all show God's love and awesomeness here in our own backyards. So I"ll ask you all for prayers for spritual growth and maturity now and continual growth on the race.
That's a bit of my thoughts so far....more to come from training camp on Saturday, after I get to meet the people I'll be doing life with and essentially calling my family for the next year:) Peace Out!
Love and God Bless
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Posted in General Posts by elizabeth gonzalez on 11/11/2011
Weird yes I know. But I am...............kind of. The more I keep reading WR'er blogs the more excited I am to leave. Don't get me wrong I'm enjoying all my time here with all my spectacular peeps but I am so excited to meet my new peeps and all the people I'll get to do life will all over the world. So yes I am excited to pee and poop my pants, get eaten alive by mosquitos, not showering for days, not shaving....like maybe at all, maybe grow dreads cuz I won't be combing my hair often, 12+hours bus rides, eating food I didn't even know existed, and yes eat more rice than most people do in a lifetime, and just being totally out of my comfort zone:)
So when you all go into your bathrooms and see the t.p and easy flush and the ease of showering, think of me on a squatty potty/outhouse;)
No worries I will be taking as many pictures and photos to chronicle all my awesome adventures with awesome people:) (but not the poop, that's just weird....even for me)
While you may dream of tropical paradise and snow capped mountains, I dream of huts in Africa, pooping outside, and not shaving my pits:) AHHHHH paradise
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Posted in General Posts by elizabeth gonzalez on 9/16/2011
As I sit here in this crazy house, people who live with a 2yr old know what I'm talking about;) Although it's loud I am going to miss this so much.
I've had a rough couple of days filled with doubt, worry, frustration, jealousy, and fear. The closer my first deadline gets the more stressed and worried I get. I am a little over half way there which is a big feat but I only have a couple weeks left to raise about another $1,500. I am doubting and am mentally preparing for missing the deadline and having to postpone leaving until July. I am trying to have acceptance and joy with whatever happens after the October 2nd deadline. That said I am letting myself and my worries take control over me and not God. Seriously! What's wrong with me. I know God is good and He called me to spread His love and help others around the world. I don't doubt going on the Race at all but like an imperfect human being I'm a doubting the $ issue like so many others.
There's positives and negatives for missing the deadline......
The positives: more time here with my family. We are having all kinds of changes and it would be good to be here for them; I'll be able to see my neice graduate from High School; more time to raise funds; less stress about all the money I need to come up with in a short amount of time and the fundraisers I need to have before departure. And lastly work would really enjoy me finishing out the rest of the school year.
The negatives: I'm ready to leave now. This is what I'm planning for. I'm ready and feel that God is calling me to this race, to leave in January. If I miss deadline I won't be able to go with the people I'm already building relationships with. And if I'm honest with myself....my selfish pride. I don't want to have to put my tail between my legs and have to tell everyone I didn't reach my goal and I'll have to postpone. All these reasons are all selfish reasons...I am well aware of that:(
I am doubting God's greatness. I'm already preparing for disappointment. I'm having lazy faith and using it as an excuse. I need to trust God and know that He can make it happen if He so desires. Who am I to "predict" what will happen. He is sooo flipping AWESOME and I think I'm just getting wrapped up in "money" and forgetting how great and awesome He is. Ummm hello He made the blind see and the deaf hear. My fears are chump change to Him. He will provide. He always does.
So I'm asking for prayer. I need prayer for stronger faith, keeping my eyes and heart on God. I need to rely fully on God. Do my part of course but really leave it at God's feet. I know I'm not the only one with these fears but sometimes I feel a little alone and left behind on the fundraising front. So please pray for me and for the other World Racers.
And if you can give financially...please give!:) Sending a check or clicking on the support me link to the left, greatly appreciated and needed.
Love and God Bless to all of you:*/ Amor y que Dios los Bendiga:*
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Posted in General Posts by elizabeth gonzalez on 8/4/2011
I met with friends poolside today (luxury I will not have for 11months) and it was exactly what I didn't know I needed. My dear awesome friend who has had a very rough couple of years gave me great advice and support. I admire this friend because throughout her ordeals she has hung close to God. Its her dedication to God and her Faith that gives me strength and that I admire. I was telling her about all my fears about not being home with my family that I've never been apart from for more than a week. And about what it's going to be like while I'm away and what it will be like when I return. I realized how much I'm going to miss here at home. My fear of not being here for my family if something happens (not that I have some kind of supernatural power to control things if I were here). She reminded me that God is still God no matter what. There is nothing I can do here or there to change God's plan. How dare I even think I can. She quoted scripture to reassure me of God's awesomeness and His will and how He is in control....always. She reminded me of the power of prayer. It's the devil getting into my head to try and pull me from going and trusting God. I was letting fear/devil take hold of my head and heart. Thank you God for putting the right people in my life to always keep me focused on You and always keeping You my goal and the core of who I am.
Although it's going to be hard to be away, I may not really realize how hard until I leave, I know in my heart of hearts that going on the WR is where God is calling me to be. I'm excited for the unknown adventure that lies ahead, the relationships with others on the WR that I'll get to do life with, and am just so blessed for the people I have here at home.
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Posted in General Posts by elizabeth gonzalez on 7/15/2011
Ok I am now sitting down and thinking of what to write in my support letter. I'm a little nervous because this letter is a big deal and I want it to be well written, eloquent, but most of all sincere. So before I actually sat down to start writing it/brainstorming I went for a run/walk earlier this evening, it's my time to talk to The Big Man:) and I was just praying about writing this letter. During my run I realized that its more fear, laziness, procrastination, and fear of failure that are ceasing and discouraging my actions to make a difference. I'm letting this keep me from putting everything out there and letting God take control and put it on peoples hearts to support me financially and with prayer. So after praying and again really letting God work, I'm sitting down and writing my letter and really getting the ball rolling. So after writing my support letter I'll still have the daunting task of translating it into Spanish. Although Spanish was my first language I suck at writing it. I never know where the accents go and when to use Y or LL or J compared to H....and trying to figure out how to add the accents through the computer ughhhhh. But knowing me I am not technology friendly I'll probably just add the accents after I print it and just use the old fashioned way....a nice black pen:) So hopefully I'll have this letter written and sent by next week. Oh I have to remember to buy stamps too. Any Ideas or if anyone is great at editing English or Spanish let me know:)
Well Buenas Noches a Todos/ Good Night to All:) God Bless
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Posted in General Posts by elizabeth gonzalez on 7/11/2011
Saludos to All,
Well I am finally going on this journey that God has put on my heart. YAY!!!
But if anyone had asked me what I would be doing this time in my life a few years ago I would have said "Oh I'll probably be married and working and interpreting, you know just doing the normal, living the "American Dream"... Going on a journey with God around the world or how my sister so nicely put it "a world tour!" was not in my plan. But thankfully God blessed me with a different plan. I at first was not sure or happy as to why my life was not going according to my plan but because of that detour I came to wanting a relationship with God and loveing and trusting in Him unconditionally and wholeheartedly. I am so excited for the future and what God has in store for me and for the other WR's.
I am not nervous....well at least not yet....check in on me again in October and December and I'll see how I feel then. I think I am more scared of not being home with my family. What I may be missing here. Missing the kids(neices and nephew) school events, random dinner and movie nigts, early Saturday soccer games. Although I know I'll be missing a lot here at home, I know that what God has in store for me is a much greater reward. I feel extremely blessed that God has given me the opportunity to go on this amazing journey that so many others only dream of.
Ok so now a few facts about moi:
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I am 27 yrs old, 5ft, 5ft 1' on a good day;)
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I have an AMAZING CRAZY family. 2 older sis, 2 younger bro(yes that makes me the middle oddball child), 5 AWESOME neices and nephew, & 2 RIDICULOUSLY AWESOME parents.
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I'm an ASL interpreter and work at a middle/hs with awesome awesome coworkers who I have been blessed to call friends.
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I love cake! Really it's my favorite food group.
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My favorite show is "90210"...the original (yes I know that's weird)
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I love the "Lion King" and know and say it word for word to the dismay of others
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I love all kinds of music....ok with the exception of that screamo kind....sorry guys but inducing a migrane isn't my cup of tea
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I know English(duh), Spanish, ASL, and enough French to get by....I hope
Ok I think that is all for my very first blog.....So excited for what God has in store for me.
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