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What happens after the race?


Posted in General Articles by Magen Bradley on 3/11/2010


I have been home from my race a year and half now.  When I first got home I was clueless about what I was going to do and where I would end up.  I didn't have a car, a house to come home to, or a plan to implement.  I just walked into my small world in Ashland City, TN and hoped something good would happen.  I was home to celebrate my brother's wedding and found myself sleeping at my parents house throughout the week and at my pastor's house on the weekends.  I drove my pastor's truck for a while and got to see the last leg of the super expensive gas prices.  I worked a job I said I wouldn't go back to because I wanted to move forward, not stay in the same place.  I ran into the "no one is hiring" and "everyone is getting laid off" but I still had a job.  And at this point I was living with my grandparents and borrowing one of their cars...so I had everything I needed...a job, a house, a car, a church.  Sure it wasn't what I was aiming for but I was taken care of. 
 
Within a few weeks of being home I got asked on a date by one of the pastor's at my church.  I couldn't believe it!  After 10 days of talking and dating him I knew I was going to marry him.  This was something I did not expect.  I remember being in South Africa talking with my team about how I thought I would never get married and this scared me because I wanted it so badly.  I wanted someone to live my life with.  Little did I know God has it planned out for me just a few months down the road. 
 
Though this was good my first year being home was hell.  I can't fully explain it.  I was on a downward spiral of habitual and heart-wrenching sin.  I have never before felt so displaced, so distant, so lifeless.  I felt as if the my soul was being sucked of life, of any good thing.  I was discouraged and unable to move myself towards God.  "Transition" as we call it was not going to left it's finger from me.  I was worried I was stuck there.  
 
By God's grace all these things came to a sudden halt.  There was nothing in myself that moved my heart and soul to healing and renewal.  Nothing which I did that brought about change or freedom.  Not even time had a play in this.  I was in the shadows and God shown His light over my life and brought me back to Himself.  HE, He did it all.  He breathes breath into us, He calls us to Himself, He gives us freedom, He paid the price, He does what we cannot ever do...He saves!  We have nothing without Him and can do nothing without Him.  What a precious gift we have in Jesus...that He would call us to Himself and make us His children. 
 
So where is my life now?  What am I doing?  I am living with my husband, Ben, with our dog, Ellie, and our cat, Panta in Nashville.  I am still working the same job and still don't have a vehicle (my husband and I share).  I am working with the k-5th graders at our church on Sunday mornings.  I have accountability and prayer and book study with a friend once a week.  I help my husband with anything he needs, I serve him and love him.  I am pouring into high school students, friends and family who need Jesus or just need to be discipled and grow in their relationship and life with God.  I am heading up a trip to Guinea this fall with trusted friends and taking my husband along as his first foreign mission trip. 
 
We, as a family, are trusting in God to be our provider.  We, by His grace, are being moved towards Him.  We are more passionate, more loving, more gentle, more willing to do what He asks and have softer, more humble hearts to be face down and admit we are wrong.  Then lifting all things to Him for His glory and fame. 
 
Aren't we glad we serve a God who will never fail, never be threatened, and who deserves all the praises of His people?
 
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4 Months After the Race


Posted in General Articles by Magen Bradley on 1/21/2009


I was (am) a January '08 Worldracer and four months after finishing my race God is still taking me places I have never been even though my address has not changed.  I was thinking to myself earlier, "Am I better off because I went on the worldrace?" and in many ways I am because God dealt with me on some issues I was unwilling to face.  So He took me away for a little while so I could stare my unwilling heart in the face and look deep into what I have known for years....my imperfections, my poor ability to balance out my life, my people-pleasing, my inability to say "no", my lack of rest while juggling life and trying to bring truth to people when I wasn't filling up myself, the rediculous lies I believed from year to year and simply trying to do it all without God.  Um, it's funny....all God wanted to do all these years was purify me and for some unknown reason I kept burying those issues He was always so gently bringing to the surface.  Do I reget having to be taken out?  Absolutely not!  I am better for it and my heart has always been on going.  But I look back and think of myself as so silly for not wanting change.  Now the question is, have I learned my lesson?  will I continue to allow change in my life when needed?  I sure hope so because the other side of being purified is beautiful.  Now there is NO DOUBT that being purified and confronted and looking at all your imperfections is not easy!  It's a hard road to travel down especially without any comfort whatsoever in your life...but if the comforts weren't taken away I would have kept covering up what I knew I had to deal with with luxury and the comfort and distractions around me.  I am so thankful to have been taken out....I will need to be taken out again because there is still more purifing to take place but until (worldracers can hear me well here) I miss having nothing and being limited, I miss the challenges, I miss our community and our fellowship, I have even missed my tent and sleeping bag.  

So here's the challenge...how do we continue to be purified and challenged and stretched? How can we make our hearts and minds more like Jesus?
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travel day


Posted in General Articles by Magen Bradley on 11/21/2008


hey worldracers!!!

i am praying for you guys as you travel and make your way home!  
and then for the few who are staying out a bit longer, have a blast!
goodness i miss you guys like CRAZY!!!!
i hope transition goes well for you.
let me know if you guys need anything!!!  even if you just need to talk please do not hesitate to call me up!
and if you are close to nashville make it known and come see me!
i am excited to see this end of things for you, it's going to be good!

i love you guys!!!!
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Transition.


Posted in General Articles by Magen Bradley on 11/11/2008


 

My Dear Worldracers,

It is amazing to me that we (even though I am here) are on our last month of the race. The year is almost over...I can't seem to wrap my mind around that. We have definitely become a family this year...all of the race and everyone involved I love DEARLY! This leg of the race for me has obviously been different from what you have experienced but regardless it has been stretching and difficult and all together good. I hate that I missed Thailand and China and now Cambodia....but that's how the story went for me. My heart has been with you the entire way.

So WR Family, how are you? What's going on? What are you doing, thinking about, having trouble with....where are you at right now? No doubt you are thinking of transition and what you will do next. 

I want to give you my two cents on the most talked about conversation....TRANSITION! Here is what it was like for me...maybe it will help you as you make your way home.
 
 

What you can expect/What happened to me/Advice:

Number one:
 
-People will pull you in every direction! You may be very busy seeing people. This is exhausting.

-I ran around everywhere and didn't stop or sleep or take any time for me.

-They can wait another day to see you...take time to REST! Don't fill up your every moment to see people. Spend time with JESUS! Go be alone if you need to... try not to overwhelm yourself. 

Number two:

-You may not agree or understand the people you used to. You have a different mind set so you are going to see things differently now. You have changed in more ways than you thought.

-I felt frustrated with people who had such closed minded opinions. It was hard for me to have a conversation with them or even be in the same room.

-Be careful with your tone of voice, give your opinion in love, and remember not to be the judge. You are not there to win an argument.

Number three:
 
-Satan will do whatever he can to put you on your face. Things you thought you have overcome or things that are old sins will come staring you in the face.

-As soon as I landed in Chicago my first thought was, "I don't need God anymore." As Rusty says, "recognize and rebuke".

-Do not think you are stronger than you are. Do not put yourself in any situation where your past can creep in or even have a chance to come up to the surface...leave your past alone! Surround yourself with godly, God-fearing people who will encourage and uplift you as soon as you get home!!!!!
 
 

Here is a list of what to expect:

  1. when you go to bed at night everything is quiet....I forgot what silence sounded like and it is awesome!
  2. you will have a hot shower and it feels soooo good.
  3. you can flush your toilet paper.
  4. you no longer have to use germ-x.
  5. you can drink the water – it's clean.
  6. you can sleep in your bed...very nice.
  7. you can adjust the temperature.
  8. you now have choices???? I forgot what that was.
  9. your light switch will work when you want to turn in on.
  10. you can go off by yourself...ladies you don't need a guy to go to the store.
  11. there will be stores...hahaha.
  12. you can drive on the right side of the road.
  13. you can turn on the tv and radio and understand what is being said.
  14. you don't have to designate a day to clean your clothes...you have a washer and dryer.
  15. you can unpack and stay unpacked.
  16. things do cost more here and there is a lot of everything!
  17. you will miss living in community.
  18. you will miss your simple life style.
  19. you realize you don't care about all the things you wished you had all year.
  20. you are going to miss...all of it.

Random thoughts:

  1. things will happen you will not expect.
  2. God will take care of you.
  3. keep moving forward, be productive.
  4. sometimes you will be so overwhelmed you will just need to cry.
  5. don't lock yourself in your room.
  6. you don't have to start living like everyone else.
  7. don't waste your time with tv.
  8. God has everything planned out, don't worry about what you are going to do.
  9. knock on every door until one opens.
  10. if things happen to quickly for you then put the breaks on it.
  11. talk about what we did.
  12. enjoy your time with people.
  13. don't forget what God has done in your heart and what He has told you.
  14. go to God for everything! Ask Him about everything!
  15. be careful what you eat!

Side note: the first three weeks I threw up every meal regardless of how little or what I ate....your stomach is not the same. And then again randomly every week since, so don't be alarmed. You may not like food like you did before you left....food still doesn't sound good to me. I also now have the worst gag reflex ever! I can't brush my teeth without wanting to throw up. Weird things start to happen to your body.

As more comes I will post it. 



WORLDRACERS,

I HOPE YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL DEBRIEF! I MISS YOU TERRIBLY AND MY HOUSE (WHERE EVER THAT IS) IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE TO YOU. I HOPE YOU HAVE A SMOOTH AND EASY TRANSITION!!!!

LOVE, MAGEN

 
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Staying at home.


Posted in General Articles by Magen Bradley on 10/8/2008


dear friends and family,

so if you don't know already i am staying at home.  this means supporters you no longer need to send your checks in...thank you so much for your help throughout the year!!!!!!!  you guys are awesome!!! 
 
wr family - i am missing you like crazy as always.i love you guys.
 
i'll keep the world posted on the things in my life and what happens after you get off the worldrace.
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Another Sunday


Posted in General Articles by Magen Bradley on 10/4/2008


more randomness

since i have been home sundays have been busy...filled with football games, family functions and random church visits....but tomorrow....i get to go to my church!!!!!  tomorrow i will see my church family!  i am soo excited:)  and they don't know i am coming.  hahaha
 
yes, team i am here...thinking of you ALL THE TIME!!!!
 
happy birthday robby!!!
 
and friends, no, i didn't make it to the hanson concert.
 
wr girls....we have sooo much to talk about!!!!  i wish you guys were here:)
 
i love you all very much.
 
magen
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Why am I still here?


Posted in General Articles by Magen Bradley on 10/1/2008


Here I am Wednesday, Oct. 1 and for some reason I am not landing in Hong Kong.  Instead I am sitting at my mom's work rescheduling my flight.  Yes, I went to the airport and was ready to leave the states on Monday morning but due to visa problems I came back home.  Why am I hear a little longer (besides circumstances)???  I have no idea. But shortly I will be there with my team. I can't wait to see them again!


What else to say???  I'll let you know when I leave.

  
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More Days at Home.


Posted in General Articles by Magen Bradley on 9/26/2008


another page of RANDOMNESS.
 
the schedule:
friday 19th:headed to hartsville, had the rehearsal dinner, stayed at hotel
saturday 20th:from hotel to cracker barrel, to set up for the wedding, then the wedding and reception at 6pm
sunday 21st:at the titan's game all day!
monday 22nd: spent the day with Lorrie and the kids   
tuesday 23rd:spent the day with Diana and the kids
wednesday 24th:my birthday!, got my plane ticket, had a family dinner, spent the evening/morning at a friend's house
thursday 25th:ran errands, spent the afternoon/night/morning with a friend
friday 26th:today...had lunch with Lorrie and the girls, spent time alone
saturday 27th:my friend's wedding, staying the night with my brother
sunday 28th:with brother and last day with family
monday 29th:flying away
 
i got a new ipod today from a very special person...it's green!
 
i was alone for a few hours today and the weight of the world hit hard and the sky is still falling.
 
i leave on monday and i am still without a ticket to hong kong...does anyone want to come get me in shanghai???hahaha
 
food is killing me and still making me sick.  every bite creates a stomach ache or vomiting.
 
i realized i am nothing like those i thought i was so much like.
 
i still like simplicity. and don't care so much about what i thought was important.
 
it's funny how people fall back into our lives when we least expect it.
and you realize what you thought you left behind you only buried...and all of a sudden you realize you like it better on the surface.
until things get ugly.
 
okay enough...i need to sleep and put away the world for a while. (ha that sounds depressing:))
 
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Photos online


Posted in General Articles by Magen Bradley on 9/17/2008


if you would like to see pictures from this year...
 
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So many thoughts.


Posted in General Articles by Magen Bradley on 9/16/2008


here is a page of all the thoughts and doingsof my life the past week at home.
(welcome to randomness)
 
thursday the 11th: woke up at 6am, went to see mom's new work, had a family dinner at mom's that night.
friday the 12th: ran around with mom during the day, went to family yardsale, ate lunch with mrs. cindy and mom at el rey's, worked on wedding stuff, went to cheatham county footbal game at night, stayed the night with dad.
saturday the 13th: tyson woke me up with water, shea and i took the ranger through the trails in the back of the house and went fishing...i caught one, went to eat vietnamiese food with yvonne and shea, spent time at nana's, went to grandparent's church, stayed with grandparent's over night.
sunday the 14th: church in the morning with grandparents, dad's birthday party, played "who can hit the ping pong ball the hardest" at each other with tyson and shea, gathering at ashley and kelsey's house that night, stayed with mom.
monday the 15th: i stopped and watched football and read all day...and went running.
tuesday the 16th: got to grandma's at 6:30am, went to see uncle's new house, went shopping for a dress for the wedding, went to dad's.
 
so i am over jet lag...finally.  i am tired of eating so much food but not tired of eating the food i have.  i see people i know everywhere i go...wal-mart, running in the neighborhood, restuarants, everywhere.  i still haven't seen everyone i wish to...this takes time. 
 
yes, rubie everything has snuck up on me...it keeps coming...but i just punch it down.
 
i feel like america is the hardest country i have been to all year even though i know the language, i know the culture, everything is familiar but the weight of it all on me is huge.  i guess because it's personal to me...what happens here is personal.  it's not something i will leave in a few weeks...i have to face all it's challenges, i have to deal with all it's ups and downs.  to everyone at home it may seem as though things are fine with me but really i'm having a hard time.
 
i miss the Body sooooo much!!!!!
i wish i were there with you guys but it is better that i am here for many reasons.
i am reading your blogs and watching your videos...you guys are doing great!
 
hey this is magens little sister shea have you ever sat next to magen while she describes in great
detail what her vomit tastes like? HELP ME!
 
i'm back. 
 
have you ever had to listen to magen ramble on about getting -pregnant and getting married in that order (this is a lie it's the other way -magen) for a while tho she is being seer yus tho she probly will never have enuf time to do either. (probably true -magen)  -from tyson.
 
okay now i'm back.
 
i feel overwhelmed and bombarded.
i want this world to slow down.
i forgot how nice it was to have a place of my own, to be settled though i don't have and am not yet.
i am actually doing well regardless of difficulties...it's good to see what i will come home to.
 
i love listening to country music!
the sky was absolutely gorgeous yesterday.
i want to go get alone for a while.
everything is too loud here.
wow do we own some stuff.
 
i was thinking the other day about what has been used to refine us through this year...obviously the
  Lord had His hand on the process but what are the things He used?
and  what do people in other countries have that refines them or keeps them in the fire?
 
we have had our living conditions, the food we eat, the people we live with, the community we live in,
the ministries we have worked with,the people we have met, and
the situations we have faced.
 
they have their poverty, their governments, their wars, their religions,  their lack of opportunity, etc.
 
so when we get home at the end of this race what will we be a part of that will keep us being refined, that
will continue to challenge us and mold us into sons and daughters?  some natural things will
take place like marriage and having children (this is a huge refining process).
some of us will make bad decisions and have to face the consequences...going through our own personal fire.
some fires are bad and some are good but regardless we can learn and grow through them.
i just want to always be in community with believers and go through whatever fire comes our way together.
 
okay bed is calling at 7:40pm.  goodnight.  or at least getting off the computer is calling:)
 
fyi: my dress is super cute!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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