Hello Family and Friends!

Getting real here, the last two weeks I realized I've been disregarding my life's margins. 

Every week's 168 hours are often color coded, very full, and include margins for flow and rest. The last couple weeks my work and community volunteer hours nearly tripled a "normal" week. Snow, the beginning of competition season, family birthdays, special events, and holidays added to my busyness.

I can hustle with little sleep for a while (college was a looooong hustle). But the reality of overextending my margins became apparent last week when I missed teaching a piano lesson and nearly double scheduled a meeting. These are warning signs and small indicators of my life about to topple. YIKES!   

In spending time with God in prayer, the Lord has been reminding me of my tendencies to:

• Want approval of people
• Over schedule my time
• Find my worth in what I achieve
• Not fully trust in God's leading for my life

This pushing against my margins has resulted in quick times with God instead of the deep relationship I desire to have with the Lord. I have been giving more care to my schedule and what people will think of me if I transition early then focusing on preparing for the World Race Trip.  

Releasing responsibilities and making changes is hard! I've sent out a few ending emails and have several more to go: 

This email is notice that I will be stepping down effective immediately from my role...
This email is confirmation that I will continue teaching the courses through March...
It has been my pleasure to volunteer with...
This email is notice that I will begin preparing for transition... 
Thank you for the opportunity! However, I will not be able to accept/join/participate... 

By April these transitions will have opened 15+ hours per week! I will be grateful to have this intentional time for preparation in my schedule even though I'm struggling with the endings right now.     

Rooted at New Life Church: Below is a picture from the Rooted Bible Study prayer experience. One of the areas God challenged me was if I was loving the Lord with ALL of myself. Praying in Color / Praying by Doodle is a spiritual practice I learned in college.

Cutting deep in my schedule and beginning to transition earlier out of responsibilities is so hard! However, this is the right choice for me to love God with ALL my strength. I'm bringing my focus, heart, and worthiness under the Lord in preparation for the World Race. 

Today marks 99 days until I will be at Launch in Atlanta, Georgia. My parents and I will travel to Atlanta on June 4, 2019 for a special time together before I begin Training Camp and leave the country! Thank you all for your prayers and support! 

Fundraising Update: Thank you for your incredible generosity! Over $7,000 of the $19,200 has been gifted to my World Race account! My heart is full of gratitude for your gifts! I also appreciate the personal financial gifts. I am continuing to purchase gear and will begin immunizations in March!   

Please pass on my blog or my contact information if you know someone who would like to follow this journey or support in prayer or with a financial gift! Thank you for being a part of my life! 

Joyfully,
Rachel
425-314-7318
rachelannpreston@gmail.com
Travel and Prayer Blog: www.rachelannpreston.theworldrace.org