World Race Gap Year… PART 2?!?!?

When I step back and look at where the Father’s taken me over the past year, I’m continually blown away. 

Let’s take it back to March 22, 2018.

As I sat on our balcony in India, watching the rain pour, I cried out to the Father. I was in the position of team leading on our team, in which I felt very inadequate. I compared myself to anyone and everyone around me: seeing their strengths and wishing I could be more like them. I didn’t realize how unhealthy this was until I questioned every move I made. No foundation had been laid for my confidence in who I was. At least, not by me. It was in this moment I realized how moldable I wanted to be: I wanted Him to mold me into exactly who He created me to be. I wanted to follow wherever He guided. It was one of the first moments in life where I genuinely said, “take me wherever You’d like me. I want to reflect You in all I do.”

I had known the race was the plan after High School for so long, and beforehand, my life was filled with school on a daily basis. I wasn’t sure what my next step was for after the race, but I knew He did.

And I trusted this.

CGA came as a desire in my heart like a wildfire a few weeks after I had given everything to the Father that day. A discipleship/ leadership program seemed wonderfully fruitful, but later became obvious that this was where He was calling me. My mum had raved about the idea of the Center for Global Action for a while, consistently asking me to pray about it. I never took much time to consider it, and looking back, I can finally see why. My heart wasn’t in a spot where I was ready to shamelessly walk into such a season. Not being able to say I was going to college was embarrassing to me. It seemed like the right and obvious thing to do, and I was embarrassed I wasn’t doing it yet. Finally believing He had the best laid plans for me and confidently walking in this was when I really started making moves.

CGA helped me stand on the firm foundation of my identity in Christ. We walked through knowing yourself, leading yourself, and ended with leading others. Each of these topics pushed me in new ways I didn’t know I was capable of bending and growing. There were days I couldn’t stop crying because of His grace. I was learning this about myself and Him that I felt I should’ve known ages ago, but didn’t realize till this year. His mercies are new every morning. CGA helped me lay a firm foundation on the one He’s already created for me.

I’ve never been so confident in who I am

&

Who I’ve been created by.

Which is why I’m ecstatic to walk into what He has next for me.

Alumni Team Leading is a new (and beautiful) program within World Race Gap Year. It allows Gap Alum come back onto the field with a launching squad for the first 3 months of their race to set the culture, lead hands-on with the racers, and be discipled by the squad’s leadership team. [WOWZA!!!] It was presented to me by my squad’s mentor, Kacie Tillman, a few weeks ago. I had been craving the idea a few days before she brought it before me. Oh, how sweet His timing continues to be.

Though plans are apt to change, the current plan is to be lead under Kacie; having the opportunity to continue to glean from her yet again gets me JAZZED. Speaking of amazing people, a squad mate and best friend of mine, Lexi Ballard, will ALSO be alumni team leading. And the sweetest gift… we are blessed with the opportunity of doing it together. Seeing Lexi walk into a more confident woman of the Lord has been such a joy—I can’t wait to see her walk into much more. I am beyond excited to be coming into such a beautiful and challenging time with two amazing women who I know have absolutely golden souls. 

The journey would begin August 30^th and last till early December: 3 months of serving and leading with a gap squad of amazing guys and gals on fire for Him. I’m psyched to have YOU on my team for this incredible journey! I would LOVE your prayer support. I know He will bring such beauty from this time of learning and growing, I also know it won’t be easy. I know I’ll be challenged in so many ways, and I love this. Grace is a part of the foundation with Adventures in Missions; creating the perfect opportunity to fall and get back up. I am psyched to see all He has in store! Another way of joining the team is through finances! In order to cover the cost of this incredible opportunity, I need to raise $3,000. If you’d like to chat in deeper detail about Team Leading or how to get involved, feel free to give me a call at 513-919-4158 or shoot me an email at [email protected]!

To those of you who have supported me and been shining lights through the years, thank you. Thank you for loving me in generous and gracious ways, shown me new sides of the Father, and leaned into His truth to deepen your relationship with Him. I’ve been so blessed by your viewpoints, words, and support!

I am STOKED to be pushed by Him over this year in a new and beautiful way. Thank you for walking this with me! Your heart makes a difference in those around you—me included. I’m praying for you as you read this that you’d see Him in a new light today.

Much love (and of COURSE hugs),

~Bern

PS!!!! I have a page on facebook dedicated to updating the sweet people in my life (that’s you!) on all He’s doing around me. This page is where I’ll be posting the majority of my updates and stories. If you aren’t apart of the page and would like to be, PLEASE leave a comment or send me a message so I can add you!

And as always, here are some of my FAVORITE tunes ~ specific to summertime fun.

“My Girl” by The Temptations (a classy classic)

“lovers’ carvings” by Bibio

“(Stop) Just Love” by Us the Duo