Hello everyone! Thank you for reading my first blog! I plan to write blogs regularly to keep my friends and family updated on life and the exciting things to happen over the next year.
I want to give a little bit of a background story to my decision of going on the World Race. When I was 7 years old, my family took me on my first mission trip to Nicaragua. Here in Nicaragua, I realized the sensitive heart I had for the least, lost, and lonely, given to me by God. God gave me a vision here at 7 years old and has been refining and preparing me to bring Him to the nations.
Throughout my life until now, I have been blessed with the opportunity to go on mission trips and be involved in missions very regularly. As I got older, I never forgot the vision and longing that God placed in my heart. I knew that I wanted to be involved with missions in my everyday life I just didn’t know how. I researched for a few years looking for a way to make this longing my reality when God had the perfect timing and an amazing plan the whole time, I just needed to be patient.
Fast forward to August 2023…After so much prayer, thought, and questioning about this, I decided to apply. I was feeling so excited, nervous, and every emotion someone can feel. I had an interview call with a lovely lady whom I got to share my testimony with and we went over a lot of information about the race. Before this interview I was so so nervous, but I remember the Lord speaking through me and helping me get what I needed to say out. I prayed this prayer specifically after I hung up and many, many times after: “Lord, if this is not your will for my life, please shut this door.” I checked my emails what felt like 100 times a day and prayed over and over. One day in August I received the email that said “You are accepted to go on the World Race”. Wow. He really wants me to go!
Ever since being committed to the World Race, it has been a journey. There has been so much excitement and nerves as God has been preparing me to leave. The Lord has been working on my heart so much this past year. I am so thankful that He never gives up on me when I fail. He has came to my rescue time and time again, been my best friend, my Jehovah Rapha (healer), my rock, and been my peace throughout this year full of wild emotions. I believe that God doesn’t call the prepared, He prepares the called, and that is what He has done in me throughout my whole life is prepare me. Without Him, I could never do this.
I want to say thank you God for choosing me for this, thank you for preparing me and refining me through this past year. Thank you for using me, I am honored. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to go across the world and share the story you’ve given me and tell about the Egypts you have walked me through to bring people to you. Thank you to my church family who has raised me and molded me into person who loves Jesus with all my heart. Thank you to my family who has always supported me and covered me in prayer my whole life. Thank you to the women of my family (Mom, Mama Pat, Aunt Lisa, Aunt Amber) who have taught me what a Godly woman (Eshet Chayil) is. As my role model Pastor Larry Cochran would say, “go make Jesus look good!” I will do just that Pastor!
Please pray for me as it is hard for me to leave the people that I love. Pray for a boldness, strength, and comfort that only God can give because I need it right now. Please pray for my family, friends, and boyfriend as it will be a change for them too.
I am so thankful for everyone who has taught me, prayed for me, loved me, and supported me throughout my life. Thank you so much! Stay tuned for more!!!
So proud of you, Clara! I know God will use you mightily and give you exactly what you need in every season this brings. I love you and am praying for you every day!
Oh my Clarita, with tears of proudness rolling down my face, I thank God for your strength and passion to do His work in all the world that he has called us all to do but only few do! To leave for nine months and not know one person going, is more than most can handle.. I have watched him refine you (and me) For this journey. I could not be more proud of you, sweetheart. Yes as Larry taught us go make Jesus look good baby! Your tender heart and your smile and love and compassion remind me of Jesus’ heart.. You are chosen you are anointed you are equipped! With his strength, you can change the world!I love you beyond words. I will miss my precious girl. But I pray the Holy Spirit will remind me that this is his work and he has called you to do it. What a compliment to you, sweetheart.! Always your number 1 fan and prayer warrior. I love you.❤️❤️💕🙏🙏🙏
Clara, I am so proud of you! You have a love in your heart for others that can only be described as supernatural and a brilliant light in your eyes! Tears of joy flowed at every paragraph as I read your 1st blog. I cannot wait to see these updates as you share Jesus. I love you sweet young woman! You’re simply beautiful
MY Clara, I’m so thankful that because your parents are like family to me (as well as your Aunt AmberLeigh, Aunt Lisa, Mama Pat, Poppy and their kids)-YOU and BELLE were brought into my life to love, cherish, pray for, support and adore. And I am SO THANKFUL.
And Clara, like Mama Pat said, I couldn’t be more proud of the woman you’ve become. You HAVE SUCCEEDED our hopes and dreams for you in every way.. Now go on this WORLD RACE and be JÈSUS to everyone you meet! Be HIS hands, HIS arms, HIS feet AND HIS HEART. I’m praying and loving you from home. Daily. If not more. I. Love. You, Clara.♥️
Oh Clara, you are so amazing to follow where God is leading you! As I read your blog, I read such truth for doing His will. Since being on that first mission trip to Nicaragua with you, your heart has shown over and over a devotion, love, faith and joy to be with those who need His love and the way you show His love is simply so incredibly pure, beautiful, sweet and so precious 💖 You are one blessing that I am so thankful to have witnessed in so many ways, since that precious sweet child who showed her love in so many ways even when sick time after time on the mission trips! You have never faltered in being His disciple. Love, love, love you dear sweet Clara and may God’s protection and love cover you and give you peace, comfort, direction, strength and courage on this journey. ❤️, 🙏 and more prayers precious one
Praying for you.
Well, I have all the tears right now! Clara, you are definitely going to make Jesus look good! We are so excited for you and will be praying for you! We love you!!
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¡Fantástico! Dios estará contigo.
Clara, we love you so much! We will be praying for you and the calling on your life every single day! Big hugs from Elle, Tripp and I ❤️
This is so inspiring, Clara! Sending prayers your way💗