I found the Treasure!

It’s worth it.

This time last year, I was in Elbasan, Albania. That week was one of the most challenging weeks of the race. There was  conflict mediation, my brother got home from his deployment, and we were nearing the halfway mark of the trip. We had a team time where we sat together and counted the cost of following Jesus. We shared different things that he had brought to mind as we thought about what we were giving up, and how it was worth it.

As I thought about writing a blog tonight, I found it to be such a privilege to be traveling the world for a second year. I wanted to reflect on how far God has brought me this year, and how similar the cry of my soul sounds to its cry last year. This is another year of counting the cost and saying, “Its Worth It”.

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17 months (and counting) of travel away from family is worth it.

All of the mosquito bites are worth it.

Eating chicken and rice for 3 meals almost every day is worth it.

Missing out on my cousin’s wedding and seeing my family is worth it.

Hair shedding because of the shower water is worth it.

Sitting in a classroom for hours without aircon is worth it.

Changes to my body are worth it.

Long and hard conversations are worth it.

Trusting the Lord with finances and no income is worth it.

Not knowing what the future holds is worth it.

Loving wholeheartedly regardless of outcome is worth it.

Investing in students and teachers is worth it.

The fruit of discipleship is worth it.

My girls growing in faith and confidence is worth it.

Giving and receiving feedback is worth it.

Spending my time for others is worth it.

Sharing the gospel to someone for the first time is worth it.

Holding all that I have with open hands is worth it.

Picking up my cross and following Jesus is worth it.

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We have found the Treasure in the field, and it is worth selling everything we have to buy that field. The cost is great, the reward is greater. It is Jesus. He is the treasure. The Pearl of Great Prize! I FOUND IT!! You can have it, too. He’s worth what it costs.

“Everything I had I count as loss for the surpassing worth of knowing Christ and making Him known. It’s worth it. Let’s pray for more laborers to put their hands to the plow and serve the Lord of the Harvest. It’s worth it.” (excerpt from ‘Its Worth It’ blog written on February 17, 2023)