Posted in The 'Before' by Christina Dombrowsky on 5/8/2012
I can't believe I am going to Training Camp next Friday! It seems like it was just yesterday that I decided to go on this adventure -- and in reality that was a whole 6 months ago, almost to the day!
God has been providing for me in so many cool ways, like a good friend of mine said a few weeks ago, "your Race has already started, Christina!" And isn't that the truth?! I feel like I am definitely racing already and time is certainly RACING by!
The fundraisers have been a LOT of fun and they've given me a really cool opportunity to share about what I am doing, what God is doing, and what we are going to be doing together ;) We've raised a good bit of money, but more importantly I feel like it's given me the unique opportunity to share about my faith in such a cool way, already. Mostly because the curiosity in people is always interested in hearing about an adventure and especially when it entails sacrifice on behalf of the adventurer. People who know me straight up LAUGH when they hear I am going to be carrying all my earthly belongings in a pack on my back. 'Where will you put all your 'flare'? (my big rings, nail polish, jewelry, purse, etc). I've decided I'm just gonna have to pick up some flare along the way!
My trip to Austin a few weekends ago to visit Danielle - my BFF from kidergarten, she is like my sister - ended up being a huge blessing (in addition to getting to see Danielle & Ricky, of course) b/c I got to purchase a TON of the gear that I needed. Austin is like outdoor world heaven! They had like 4 different REI's, Cabella's, Whole Earth Provision <-- totally the coolest store: like Urban Outfitters meets Gander Mountain meets the hippie section at Whole Foods. Very cool. I wasn't even planning on doing any shopping there, but God went ahead of me. Love that about Him!
This race certainly HAS started, so please keep me in your prayers that I can continue to keep the 'big picture' in mind: God, His glory, and the work that He's called me into. Like I read in the book we're studyng in my Girl's Group (Radical Together) suggests, I need to not ask God simply to bless my plans, but to show me HIS plans. It's so much easier to ask him to bless my plans of fundraising, packing, shopping, etc. But asking Him what his plans are and how I can play into THOSE... that's what really takes stepping out of my comfortzone and a willingness to get uncomfortable for the glory of God.
And friends, that's what I'm thinkin this trip is all about!
More updates, soon!
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Posted in The 'Before' by Christina Dombrowsky on 4/20/2012
I am suuuper excited to be putting together a slough of FUN events to raise awareness & funds for this mission!
This blog post will serve as the official page with event updates and additions, so bookmark it! ;)
So far this is what is in the works:
Christina's Cuthills Backyard Bonanza * Thursday April 26, 6pm - close
Cuthills is like a little slice of the Florida Keys right here in Boynton Beach: think palm trees, patio bar, food truck, fish tacos, law...n games, and bangin music! Mark your calendars because this is an event you will not want to miss! There's gonna be:
*Live Music
*Ring Toss
*Corn hole & lawn games
*Raffles
*Delicious food & drinks (with a % of the sales going to the fundraiser)
http://www.facebook.com/events/330392690349174/
Holy Cow! Christina is Going on World Race! Tuesday May 1 7:30pm - 10:00pm
Eat Mor Chikin Fundraiser at the Northlake Chik Fil A Location after J1Ten
A percentage of the sales go to support my trip!
And there will be the Chik Fil A wheel to spin and win!
http://www.facebook.com/events/272240506198208/
Wine Tasting & Tapas in West Boca at my friend Jonathan Sahn's house on Thursday May 3 6pm-8pm
This one will be invite only, sine we can only secure a certain number of seats at the table.
So if you have your heart set on Wine Tasting & Tapas in West Boca, please contact me and I'll see if we can get ya on that guest list ;)
Spin the Bottle & Kiss Me Goodbye!
at the Living Room in Boynton Beach, FL Thursday May 10 5:30pm-8pm
No, I won't be raffling off kisses to raise money, but the my friends at the Living Room in Boynton Beach will be holding a 'Spin the Wine Bottle' Game where you can win lots of fabulous wines! We'll sell tickets to 'spin the bottle' -- and all proceeds will go towards the trip! There will also be live music and lots of fun and this cozy & unique venue.
A Surprise Fundriaiser hosted by Michele Cyr on Saturday May 12 10am-2:30pm
I actually have no idea what this fundraiser is going to entail, but I do have sealed invitations I can give you! (Haha! Michele is doing a good job with this one ;) So let me know if you want a paper invitation or you can reach out to Michele on Facebook & get the deets.
Sunday Brunch: Mimosas for Missions! Sunday June 3 11am - 1pm
My good friend Joey Giannuzzi, Chef & Owner of The Green Gourmet in Delray Beach is hosting a delicious & nutricious Sunday Brunch. You can expect organic delicacies, locally grown produce, fresh squeezed juices, sustainable stemware, and even socially conscious conversation! ;) Joey is drawing up a special menu for us, so stay tuned for updates!
http://www.facebook.com/events/208897235885623/
There are a few others that are in the planning phases:
A Gallery Event in Delray Beach hosted by some of my favorite Delray socialites -- shooting for late May, early June
Stay tuned for details on this event, as we are still looking at dates & a few different art galleries to figure out which will be the best fit for this fine evening of alluring art, amazing fellowship, & anticipation for this awesome adventure!
Praise & Worship Concert in Miami -- mid June
This event will be in concert (hah! pun, intended) with a World Race Teammate of mine, Gabe Sanchez -- who lives in Miami! Gabe has already orchestrated (mmm- another pun?) a few Christian bands and I am working on reaching out to some performers myself. We are still waiting to get a solid date from the venue in Miami. I will keep ya updated!
...if you have any ideas for another great fundraiser or venue, where we can fundraise & friendraise in a FUN & creative way, please let me know!
Especially if you want to help host it! :)
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Posted in The 'Before' by Christina Dombrowsky on 4/16/2012
RYLA is the Rotary Youth Leadership Assembly, an annual leadership development program designed to help hone the leadership potential in outstanding high school students in our area. I have served as a RYLA Committee member in District 6930 (on the East coast of Florida) for 4 years - this past weekend was my 4th RYLA!
The students lovingly call me a 'Medium Staff' Member, because Jr. Staff is made up of outstanding RYLA delegates from previous years (Jr's & Sr's in high school) and the Sr. Staff is made up of Rotarians (grown ups!). So as a Rotaractor and young adult -- I am proud to be a Medium Staffer on the Committee. I am working hard to encourage more Rotaract members, young adults in their 20's, to get involved with RYLA as i feel it is very important that the students have role models/mentors they can relate to and are close to in age. Plus... I honestly believe I have just as much fun at RYLA as they do!
This year was particularly fun for me, because I got to share with the students about how my 'story' has evolved: how my love for travel & people and led me to study abroad, get involved in Rotary's service overseas, and now international missions-- with my upcoming World Race trip. They were all pretty excited for me, but sad that I wouldn't be back next year (me, too!)
Every year I leave RYLA saying (just like the students do) "This year's RYLA was the best yet!" But RYLA 2012 was particularly awesome because the students bonded and opened up to one another so quickly. On Friday night during 'Pizza & Games' I noticed a circle of students playing the guitar and singing. Ss I drew closer I recognized the song: they were singing Praise & Worship! I was very impressed that these teenagers were open enough to sing praises to God in front of their peers. Not only that but the music was beautiful and the sight of them smiling and praising God was moving. I knew this RYLA would be unlike the rest. As RYLA is a Rotary program, we are always very careful not to 'officially' promote any one faith or political view -- just 'Service Above Self'. But myself an avid Christian, I was inspired as I reflected as to what I may or may not have been willing to profess in front of my peers in a secular setting at 16 years old.
My suspicions (and my prayers) were answered when on Saturday after our Open Discussion, one of the Jr Staffers shared that she would be holding a Prayer Group in the next room if any of the students wanted to pray. As the students were dismissed and some headed to lunch, others to their rooms to get changed for the upcoming Pool Party, I made my way over to the next room to check on the prayer group turn out. I was shocked to find more than 40 students assembled, holding hands, and getting ready to bow heads. But not before a song of Praise. Tears were streaming down my face as I looked around the room at these young, courageous faces. When it came time for the prayer, more than 1 student offered to pray (another shocker! grown adults mature in their faith struggle to pray aloud in a group!). The student who opened up the prayer asked God to guide the future of RYLA and the RYLA delegates and to help them make this RYLA Prayer Group a tradition in future RYLAs. I join Him in that prayer :)
I could not be more proud of these young people, their faith, and their boldness.
God bless RYLA!
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Posted in The 'Before' by Christina Dombrowsky on 4/7/2012
The trip is coming up quickly! And God has been moving in my life in a big way.
I was reminded recently, as I was talking with my mentor that when you give something to God, you actually have to DO something. Until you actually take some form of action, it's just an exercise in intellectual thought. It'd be like me telling you, "Hey, I am going to give you $100. I have $100 for you! And hey- that $100, it's yours!" But I never actually hand it to you. It's a nice thought but... no dice.
Since the beginning, when this whole World Race endeavor took root in my brain, I have given the trip -- these upcoming 11 months and everything that comes with them -- to God. I knew from the beginning that there was no way I would every figure out how to do this thing on my own, it would be virtually impossible, so I gave it to God from Day 1. I said, "God, if you want me to do this. You are going to have to work out the deets. I will put forth all the enthusiasm and excitement I can... and I will actually GO... but as far as all the rest of this stuff --- fundraising, packing, getting my parents' & loved ones' buy-in -- well God, that's ALL You."
Now some of you might think, 'Wow. What I leap of faith!' Yeah. I guess.
But as I am sure you have found in your own life, it's MUCH easier to give God something in the future (aka: God, have your will be done in my life) than it is to give God something in the NOW (aka: God, what would you have me do today, with this moment?)
So it wasn't until last week that I realized I had given God this 11 month adventure, but I was hanging on with white knuckels to these last 3 months! I was constantly mulling: "How am I going to make the money that I'll need to live on btw now and July, gas prices are getting so high & my jeep has the fuel efficiency of a tanker...how am I going to close some of these accounts at work that I keep chasing around?...how am I going to pay off this credit card that I have?...how am I going to find the time & the money to find all the right gear that I'll need for this trip?...how am I going to find the right ppl to 'replace' me in all my leadership positions in iGen, Rotaract, my girls group, etc...how am I going to depart in July actually READY for this thing?" Yeah. That's what the internal monologue sounded like. Doesn't sound like trust does it? Well, it didn't feel like it either.
So I put my foot down. I handed him the $100. I actualy DID something besides the intellectual exercise of telling Him 'It's yours, God'. And you know what? He's coming through! Little by little things are piecing themselves together, opportunities are arising, the money is coming in. And I am going to be more than OK. But it took DOING something. Making a change.
Stepping out is called 'stepping out' because you actually have to take a step - an action. So yeah, nailing "These Last 3 Months" onto the cross on Palm Sunday last week felt good, but actually talking through a few difficult conversations was what really needed to happen. These last 3 months? They are HIS. Today, tomorrow, the next day.
My World Race has started!
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Posted in The 'Before' by Christina Dombrowsky on 3/19/2012
I am jumping on the preparatory band wagon!
And in order to give myself a deadline to get my act together: I am throwing a party! (In true Christina fashion ;)
I figure that no one likes paperwork, list making, and planning in general (well- at least I don't), so why not throw a party to get the whole season kicked off right!
So this Monday March 19th, 2012 is my World Race Kick Off Party!
The deets:
When: Monday, 3/19 7pm
Where: Las Ventanas Club House (thanks to Katie Whaeghe & Jessica Jackson for hosting!)
1331 S Federal Hwy
Boynton Beach, FL 33435
It's on the corner of Woolbright & Federal Hwy
Who: you!
Friends and family that are interested in helping me plan for, fundraise for, and actually go on this amazing adventure!
What to bring: An open mind for adventure!
What to expect: excitement! I am going to be sharing with you all about this upcoming adventure: why I'm 'leaving it all behind' to go live like a nomad, where I'm going, what I'll be doing, and maybe even some trivia about the countries I'll be visiting!
I really hope you can make it, as I would love your ideas as to how I can make the biggest impact possible. Like I said in my support letter, I know this trip is going to impact my life- but it has the potential to impact SO many more lives, too. YOURS included :)
See ya there!
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