Posted in Pre-Race by Kristi Bezy on 5/9/2012
In less than 2 weeks, I turn 25 (Yikes! How’d that happen? Wasn’t I just turning 21?). With every birthday if we are honest, we try to figure out what we want as a gift. One year I wanted a new phone. Another birthday, I asked for new clothes or money. Maybe, I asked for some new product that everyone was raving about. This year is MUCH different. This year, I’d love more than anything for you to help me go on the World Race!!! In fact, think of it this way. Come September, I will be
going to 11 countries for 11 months. I’ll be gone for Christmas, Easter, even my 26th birthday. Please consider helping me with the following things as a gift for my 25th birthday or for one of the many holidays I’ll be gone for.
Here are a few ideas:
1. Support me through a donation to my World Race Account!
I currently have a total of $11,000.13 in my account! I’ve been blown away by the way people have supported and the way God is providing. Only $4,500 to go! Read this blog post about how you can help me become fully funded.
2. Buy some of my gear!
Many people have asked about the gear I need for the World Race. The packing list ranges from a pack to carry all of my belongings in to travel adapters. To make it easy for anyone who might want to buy some of my gear I have made a wish list on both REI and Amazon for everything I have left to buy. I’d prefer big items be bought from REI since they have an amazing return policy but the rest can be bought wherever you can find the best price!
3. Donate to me personally!
In addition to the $15,500 and all of my gear, I also need to buy travel insurance and receive a lot of immunizations. If you would like to help with these, please write a check to me personally.
Thank you so much to those who have supported me financially and personally! God is providing in amazing ways. He is showing me how much he cares about me. I wouldn’t be able to fulfill the calling he has placed on me without the generosity and love of so many of you. As always, prayers are greatly appreciated as I continue to prepare. Don’t hesitate to email me, call me, or text me with any questions!
Heart and Soul,
Kristi
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Posted in Pre-Race by Kristi Bezy on 4/29/2012
After each big event at my church, we are encouraged to take a moment to look back and thank God for what we saw happen. My campus Pastor Larry Brey encourages us to write down what we saw Jesus do. He says we should attach a specific memory to an event. There will be times when we are in a low place. God might feel distant. We might be struggling with something. This is natural. By writing down ways God has shown up, we can look back at those and be reminded during the times of trials of how God showed up and that he will continue to. This has helped me so much in the past. Joshua did the same thing in Joshua 4: 4-7 when he told twelve men to collect stones to serve as reminders for future generations.
With that being said, I wanted to take some time to make a pile of stones for Easter 2012. Easter is one of my favorite holidays. You can feel the energy at Elevation in the week leading up to it. Here are the stones I collected this year.
This Easter, I saw Jesus when the entire VIP team prayed with extreme hunger on our knees for our team members families and friends.
This Easter, I saw Jesus when a college students entire family of 6 gave their lives to the Lord.
This Easter, I saw Jesus when we ran out of chairs and the entire auditorium was full.
This Easter, I saw Jesus when Lindsay, the woman sitting next to me, gave her life to Christ and had been attending Elevation University since September.
This Easter, I saw Jesus when a family of 4 came an hour after the worship experience started and all accepted the invitation to start a relationship with the Lord.
This Easter, I saw Jesus while pouring into a volunteer after she realized her commitment to her marriage wasn’t optional.
This Easter, I saw Jesus when 4 eKidz gave their lives to Jesus.
This Easter, I saw Jesus in every smiling face of the volunteers of the Elevation University Campus.
This Easter, I saw Jesus when hundreds of people went to the Next Level tables.
This Easter, I saw Jesus when hundreds of hands shot into the air to profess their faith in Jesus.
I’m so proud to be a part of a Church that presents the Gospel boldly on Easter. I’m so grateful to be a part of a Church that pours into me, stretches me, and makes me the woman God wants me to be. I’ll never forget this Easter.
What stones are you collecting? I challenge you to take the time to write out the ways God is working in your life right now. Make a pile of stones for you to remember!
Heart & Soul,
Kristi
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Posted in Pre-Race by Kristi Bezy on 4/12/2012
As I walked out of my apartment with the last load of my belongings, I was taken aback by the wave of emotion that hit me. I never imagined being sentimental about this place. After all, it was the apartment I wanted so desperately to move out of. I wanted to move into Charlotte. It was full of good memories but also memories I wanted to forget. So I wasn’t really sure why I was emotional about leaving it behind. But as I loaded the last box into my little car, I realized I had taken the first big step toward the Word Race. I was officially in transition mode! I no longer had my own apartment that included all of my personal belongings. I would be living with friends who generously offered a room for me to live in for the next 4 short months until I moved home for a month. Only 5 short months until I leave everything I’m comfortable and familiar with!
God is slowly preparing me to leave it all behind and run after him. Moving out of my apartment and moving the majority of my belongings back to Indiana was the first step of taking me out of my comfort zone. The past few weeks have been an emotional rollercoaster. Through it all, God is slowly working in my heart and preparing me for the World Race.
He is teaching me two main things:
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I should find my comfort in him-not in things or people! Philippians 4: 6-7
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I should find my approval in him-not in what people think of me! Psalm 139:13-16
God has called me to the World Race. I know that this experience is going to change me more than ever and I’m thankful for that. I’m thankful for a God who teaches me through every step. I’m thankful that I don’t need to worry about what other people think of me or look to others for approval because I already have the love and approval of my God. I’m thankful that my God comforts me in all situations and I’m glad that he is teaching me to depend on him now so when I’m in the middle of Swaziland and homesick and uncomfortable beyond belief he will be the first one I run too.
What is God teaching you this week? Are you looking to him for approval or to others? Do you find your comfort in him or in people/things? My prayer is that you and I will no longer look to others/things for comfort and approval but that we will look first to God who comforts and love us.
Heart & Soul,
Kristi
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Posted in Pre-Race by Kristi Bezy on 4/10/2012
This past week at Elevation has been a week I will never forget. I had the incredible opportunity to witness life change as thousands of people attended Elevation Easter weekend for 7 Mile Miracle. I can't wait to blog more about it.
For now, I wanted to share with everyone a fundraiser I'm currently having. When I brainstormed ideas for fundraisers, one of the first ones I thought of was selling t-shirts. I wanted to provide everyone with an opportunity to contribute affordably and receive something in return. With the help of a great friend Cara, I am excited to be taking pre-orders for these awesome t-shirts.
The top is the front. Bottom is the back.
I will be taking orders until April 20th (I'll need the money when you place the order if possible) and then will get the t-shirts a few weeks after that. Adults sizes are $15 and children sizes are $10. Click the contact me tab on the side to order some!
Other fundraisers:
-I'm still selling Threads of Hope bracelets if anyone is interested. 1 bracelet for 2$ or 3 bracelets for $5.
-My family is putting on a garage sale in Vincennes, Indiana on Friday June 1st and Saturday June 2nd. If anyone has anything, they would like to donate let me know and my mom would be happy to pick up anything.
-My mom is putting together baskets that we will be selling raffle tickets for. I'll post more on that once they are put together.
-As always, if you feel called to donate financially I would be extremely grateful. Click contact me for info on how to donate or support me to donate online.
Thanks so much to all who have donated financially so far and for continued prayers. I'm 60% of the way to being fully funded!
Heart & Soul!
Kristi
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Posted in Pre-Race by Kristi Bezy on 3/29/2012
As many of you know, 3 other girls from my eGroup are going on the World Race. They will be heading out in July. When our friend Scott heard about the 4 of us going he offered to take pictures for us. We plan to use them for prayer cards, promo flyers, etc. Scott is incredibly talented! Just wanted to share with you all some of my favorites from the day!
Allison Tackett, Alison Gray, Whitney Huntley, and Me =]
Didn't they turn out awesome?! Thank you so much Scott for taking the time out of your schedule to take these awesome pictures for us!
Heart & Soul,
Kristi
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Posted in Pre-Race by Kristi Bezy on 3/26/2012
In order to get to know each other a little better, a bunch of us from my Route are writing 50 random facts about ourselves. Enjoy!
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I’ve never left the country.
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I’ve never been on a mission trip. (Yes, I know. The world race is a bit of a jump from 1 and 2)
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I have a love/hate relationship with running!
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I love to read but don’t ever have enough time to read as much as I’d like.
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I prefer to be busy.
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I’m a planner.
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I used to be super shy but God has slowly changed that so at times I can be quiet if I don’t know people.
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I absolutely love my church and the way God has used the people in it to shape and stretch me.
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I grew up in the first city in Indiana. It’s super historical…woohoo lol
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I went to the same college as David Letterman and Papa John. Chirp Chirp Ball State!
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I did gymnastics growing up and cheerleading in middle school.
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I was in color guard in high school. Yep...bring on the band jokes. Lol
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I’m a Sigma Kappa.
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I spent 3 weeks in Colorado on a summer project with CRU in college to learn how to start a bible study in my sorority.
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I’m addicted to twitter.
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I’m a Mac girl (apple not makeup)!
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I over pack for everything and have no idea how I’ll ever fit everything for a 11 months into a pack!
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Blue is my favorite color!
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I bite my nails.
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I hate making decisions.
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Chips and Salsa are my favorite snack with hummus coming in a close second.
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I have an awful memory.
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My dad is 1 of 12 kids and my mom is 1 of 6. My family is massive!
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I have 2 tattoos and planning on getting a 3rd before we launch!
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I love the city of Charlotte. For real.
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I’d rather spend quality time with a few friends then go out to a bar.
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I love coffee.
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I don’t drink enough water.
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I’ve broken my tailbone.
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Daisies are my favorite.
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I’ve yet to say I’m going to be a missionary. I think it sounds weird. I always just say I’m going to do mission work.
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I took a roadtrip in college from Indiana to Colorado, Vegas, and the Grand Canyon then back to Indiana. It was awesome.
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My hair gets greasy if I don’t wash it every day so I’m sure it will be sick after a week of not washing it.
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I really want to adopt. Can we please bring back some Asian or African babies with us?
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I hate scary movies.
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I’m not athletic at all.
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I wish Charlotte were closer to my family and not sure how I’m going to handle being halfway across the world from them.
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I’ve been an aunt since I was 5.
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I love Toms.
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I find the differences in sayings and what things are called from place-to-place super funny. A shopping cart with never be a buggy and no I won’t mash the button I will push it.
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I love springtime.
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I’ve never been skiing.
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I want to bungee jump, ride on a elephant, all that crazy stuff while we are on the race!
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There are a ton of movies I haven’t seen but really should.
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My last name is pronounced like BZ. It makes me happy when people call me by my last name. Yes I realize it rhymes with lots of things. I've probably heard them all.
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I have a huge heart for the homeless.
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I love working with kids who have hearing aids and cochlear implants. I’m going to miss my kiddos so much next year.
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I hate confrontation or having ‘hard’ conversations with people. God has been working on this recently though and teaching me how to handle situations like this.
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I grew up Catholic but didn’t understand the difference between Jesus and God until I was a freshman in college. Not sure how that happened.
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I’m excited/terrified to be doing this crazy thing called the World Race!
Thanks for reading! I can’t wait to meet ya’ll in July!!
Heart & Soul,
Kristi
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Posted in Pre-Race by Kristi Bezy on 3/20/2012
God has been teaching me so much lately.
He is showing me that he provides for what he calls us to do. Philippians 4:19
He is teaching me that he will exceed my expectations. Ephesians 3:20
He is breaking my heart for what breaks his.
He is teaching me to deal with conflict or hurt feelings the way I should. Romans 12:18
He is teaching me patience.
Most of all, God is taking the lids off my jar!
My campus pastor, Larry Brey recently did a teaching to the leaders of Elevation University on 2 Kings 4:1-7, the story of the Jars and the Widow (if you don’t know the story, go read it now then come back!). He told us that each of us is a Jar that God wants to fill to overflowing with Olive Oil just like the Olive Oil flowed for the widow. It is God’s responsibility to make the oil flow but it is our responsibility to have our jars ready. He wants to fill up our jars so he can pour us out. The problem is we all have lids on our jars and stuff in our jars that are keeping us from becoming who God wants us to be. Larry went on to explain that the Lids could be attitudes, beliefs, or behaviors. They are how we feel about ourselves. God can’t fill my jar when a lid is on it! The stuff is anything that is competing for the presence of God. Stuff could be a perpetual sin, pride, or greed just to name a few examples. In order to become who God wants us to be, he wants us to take off the lids and remove the stuff. Larry explained that we have to do something in public and private. We have to go to our neighbors asking for jars and handle it privately behind closed doors just like the widow did.
God is showing me my lids and stuff. He is shining light on the lies I’ve believed for years about myself. He’s working through sins I’ve always struggled with. I am taking the steps to remove my lids and get rid of the stuff.
What are your lids? What is the stuff that is getting in the way of becoming God’s best for your life? Go to your neighbor and ask for jars then get in private with God and work through it. You won’t regret it!!
Heart and Soul,
Kristi
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Posted in Pre-Race by Kristi Bezy on 3/9/2012
God speaks to each of us in very different ways. He can speak to us through his word. God speaks to us through other people in our lives. He can speak to you through a sermon on Sunday. God can speak to you through your convictions and feelings.
One of the ways I hear God the most is through music. It could be a single line in the song or the whole thing. I can hear new things through a song I’ve sung over and over or hear God clearly through a new one.
This past week, Andy Cherry released his CD “Nothing Left to Fear”. A song he wrote has really spoken to me. I thought I’d share the lyrics. I’ve had this on repeat since Tuesday. I hope God speaks to you through it. If you have a chance you should check out his new CD. It’s so good!
“He Has Done It All”
All my fear tells me
I will always be
Trying to be redeemed,
But love tells me
Stop Striving
All your working
Finds you needing
Love tells me
It is finished
He accomplished what no one could
He has done it all
Everything has been made complete
In him I belong
He has done it all
Shame is telling me
I am not worthy
To stand before a King
But love tells me
Stop doubting
You belong here
In this freedom
Love tells me
It is finished
He accomplished what no one could
He has done it all
Everything has been made complete
In him I belong
He has done it all
Love love love saves me
Love love love heals me
Love love love you are enough
Love tells me
It is finished
He accomplished what no one could
He has done it all
Everything has been made complete
In him I belong
He has done it all
He has done it all!
Thanks so much for reading! Quick fundraising update…I broke halfway this week!!!! Only God could have done that in a little over 2 months! Thank you for your support so far and keep telling everyone you know!
Heart and Soul,
Kristi
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Posted in Pre-Race by Kristi Bezy on 2/29/2012
*A few of us serving together for What If Everyone*
We like to call ourselves the Sunshine Girls. Or should I say a man we met one morning while handing out breakfast to people struggling with homelessness in Uptown Charlotte called us the Sunshine Girls.
I’ve realized lately that my group of friends isn’t normal. It’s weird! It’s odd to be a part of a group of over 10 girls and have zero drama. It’s not normal for a group of girls to genuinely want the best for one another. It’s every weirder for a group of girls to speak life into each other’s lives the way my friends do. But this is how it should be. God designed community this way. He taught us that we CANNOT do life alone!
Waiting at Code Orange Revival
This past weekend while spending time in the mountains, I realized how grateful I am to be a part of this group of girls. A group filled with World Changers. Four of us are leaving everything to serve the Lord on the World Race for 11 months. Two of these women are starting a non-profit organization to mentor high school students. One has a dream of opening an orphanage in Charlotte. Several have hearts for the youth and homeless in Charlotte and the list goes on. These women build me up. They challenge me. They make me into a better person. I’m forever grateful for their friendships and to God for putting them in my life. He brought us all together in crazy ways.
Leigh & Erin sharing their vision for a Non-Profit to CharlotteOne
Whitney and I helping for Habitat for Humanity!
My friends are full of grace, love, and passion. My girls are WORLD CHANGERS!
Thank you to my sunshine girls. Thank you for loving me at my best and at my worst. Thank you for speaking life into me each day. Thank you for believing me and calling me out when I need it. I couldn’t do life without you and can’t wait to keep doing life with you. Love you all!
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Posted in Pre-Race by Kristi Bezy on 2/21/2012
In general, I like to be busy. I prefer to have plans. I guess I get that from my mom who can barely sit through a movie. During this season of my life, I find myself extremely busy. Take last week for example:
Monday-work, appointment in Huntersville, coordinators meeting at Blakeney
Tuesday-work, ran errands, dinner with Laura and Liz in Cornelius
Wednesday- work, LOVE week event at Samaritan’s House
Thursday- work, work 3 hours at the nursing home
Friday-work, work 2 hours at the nursing home, Mardi Gras party at Colleen and Taylors
Saturday- serve 11-2 at crisis assistance for LOVE week, clean up apartment, set up for church, hang out with Alison
Sunday-serve at elevation university 7:45-2, dog sit for Nikki
None of those things were bad per say, nor do I want to take any out of the mix. The bad thing is not once did I rest or spend quality time with God. I was so busy going I didn’t have time for rest. Saturday night I lost it. I was at my breaking point and luckily people who care about me most were there to tell me it was ok. Sunday I slept a lot (13 hours off and on). Today I took half a sick day because I was up half the night with a stomach ache. I think God is trying to tell me to slow down. I’ve been trying for a few weeks now to find a balance. I just kept telling myself that once something was over things would slow down. At first it was Code Orange Revival, then LOVE week. I have to make things slow down. I have to learn to say no. Yes everything I’m doing is good but too much of a good thing can be detrimental. Craig Groeschel wrote a whole section about time in his book Weird. He reminds us that “Just because we can do something doesn’t mean we should.”
Matthew 11:28-30 says “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden in light.” Craig Groeschel challenges us in Weird by reminding us that Rest isn’t just a luxury, it is required. We are required to take a Sabbath. I need time to rest. I need time with God. I have to make that a priority.
I’m so lucky to be a part of an eGroup that prioritizes that. This weekend we are going to the mountains to do just that. Rest. Focus on God. Spend time together. Spend time in the word. It is exactly what I need. I’m praying God will show me where I need to say no.
Hope this helps someone else out. Prayers that I will find a healthy balance are much appreciated!
Heart & Soul,
Kristi
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