These three words, in this specific order, represent how my faith has grown and been strengthened on the race.

At the very beginning of this trip, I had a lot of negative and sinful weight on my shoulders that was keeping me from knowing God. Shame, self-doubt, depression, a d worries had infested my life. What's worse is that I had been carrying these things for so long that it took a few months for me to be able to fully SURRENDER these things to God so he could destroy then and make me new and whole. But once I SURRENDERED each of these things, and put my trust in God to heal me of these things once and for all, I experienced FREEDOM.

After I was finally able to let go of each of these things and no longer let them have any control over my life, all that was left was pure glorious FREEDOM. And it wasn't just a one time thing that I would feel for a short time, which has happened a lot in the past, I feel it constantly. Just a constant, continuous, endless stream of precious FREEDOM. And in this newfound FREEDOM, God showed me and is still showing me things a out myself, Him, the people around me, and my purpose in life. My perspective on these things changed and REDEMPTION was brought into my life.

God REDEEMED how I view each of these things. He showed me, and is still showing me, the truth about them. Honestly, REDEMPTION is probably the best word to use to describe the race for me. From the very beginning, God has been REDEEMING things in my life without me knowing it. I'm still growing in each of these three words, but the growth that has already come with these things is undeniably amazing.

Being SURRENDERED to God allows you to experience FREEDOM, which allows for the REDEMPTION of things to be brought in. All of these things combined has grown and strengthened my faith and is still growing and getting stronger every day.

"When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover my iniquity. I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.' And you forgave the guilt of my sin" Psalm 32:3-5.

"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" John 8:32.

"Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies" Roman's 8:23.