100 Everyday Thoughts of a Pre-World Racer

As of today, there are only 100 days until World Race Launch!! WHATT??!?

So, in celebration, I have made a list of 100 thoughts and questions since being accepted with the help of my squad mates and roommates! It is crazy to think about even the little day to day things that will be completely different while living as a missionary, but I am SO excited for the opportunity God has given me to spread his name. Some of these are funny, serious, and random, but I want to be able to look back at these questions throughout the race and probably just laugh at myself and hopefully have an answer for all 100!

When I was first accepted to the Race, I was literally shaking and smiling so big that I couldn’t stop. Many of these questions are REAL thoughts that racers think about. Some are worldly, yes, but that is because I am human. Here is a little taste of my thoughts in the past 9 months!

1. My Prayer: Lead me and I will follow God. His Answer: The World Race
2. Is this really happening?!
3. Are toe socks with Chacos acceptable…?
4. How am I ever going to raise $16,961?! (Answer: God! & my supporters of course (: ! )
5. How is all of this going to fit in one bag!?
6. Toilet paper… how does that work abroad?
7. Better stop my coffee addiction now since we wont have it all the time… (still hasn’t happened yet haha)
8. Are there girl scout cookies overseas?
9. God, please break me down to prepare me for what is to come on the Race. ( yep, it’s been happening since day 1!)
10. On a scale of 1 to caveman, how intense will my hair get in Africa? – Melissa
11. How many crazy and adventurous things can I complete before my parents start freaking out?
12. I wonder how many tattoos I will get… (if I get any..)
13. What are you going to teach me Lord?
14. Who knew that my life would be turned upside down once I was accepted?! Not me! But the enemy isn’t winning, because my God is super AWESOME!
15. How can I survive without hair gel #curlyhairprobs
16. Should I buy bigger clothes (carbs are a stable in all my countries..)
17. I have actually started dressing like a missionary… maxi skirts and v-necks are my best friends.. throw on those Chacos!
18. What kind of crazy adventure did Jesus bring me into?! – Caitlin Buzbee
19. How am I going to be able to handle being around people (mostly girls) for this long?!
20. How am I going to be able to grow relationships for a whole month then leave?
21. No, I am not scared (people as all the time) because I know with every cell in my body that this is where God has called me.
22. I’ve made a promise to myself to not buy anything but necessities to live (food & soap) unless it is Gear or clothes for the Race.
23. Will I be missed?
24. Will I fit in with my team??
25. I’m going to miss my own bed.
26. What am I supposed to do with all of this stuff in my room?!
27. You instantly turn into Advertisement for World Race because your new goal is to get people to go.
28. I pray I see an elephant!!!
29. I’m going to miss my parents.
30. How many total hours will I spend on a plane in the 11 months?
31. How is the Lord going to help me make it to my next fundraising Deadline?
32. Crying because I am amazed when someone donates any amount to me because they believe in me and what God is going to do.
33. I’ve changed my major since I was accepted because I feel called to be a Midwife in the mission field.
34. How do you talk to someone about Jesus that does not believe in Him?
35. How do you talk to someone with a completely different religion?
36. What do I wear?! Shorts, pants, skirts, tanks, tshirts..!?
37. I will be in Africa on my 21^st Birthday which is pretty cool!
38. How will my life be after the Race?
39. I have been imagining and praying for the people that I have never even met before.
40. How many deodorants is too many?
41. How am I going to talk to someone who doesn’t speak English?
42. Will I get dreads (answer is probs a no).
43. Snakes & tarantulas to eat in Cambodia…?
44. Is it weird to take a blow dryer?
45. It would be super ironic if I got Malaria from a Mosquito since I already have Lyme Disease from a tick. Those darn bugs!
46. How in the world can God use someone as broken as me…?
47. Going to the bathroom in a hole doesn’t sound like fun…
48. When my hot water went out, I stuck it out since I will have to get used to it on the Race.
49. Stay Present in this current season (It’s SO hard).
50. In what areas will I grow the most in 11 months?
51. What will break my heart the most? – Mariah Weingarten
52. I am secretly excited about not having to do my hair/makeup all the time.
53. Will others look down on me because I am the youngest on the squad?
54. What happens if I get super sick?! Foreign hospitals scare me!
55. Will I have to wake up super early everyday? (I love sleep)
56. How many packages of foreign coffee can I stuff into my pack?
57. How many days without showering is socially acceptable?
58. What will my quiet time with the Lord look like?
59. What shows should I download on my computer to binge watch on those long bus rides?
60. Lord, please help me focus this mission trip solely on you and not about me.
61. What will the needs be in the areas I will be at?
62. What if I don’t want to come back to Lubbock?
63. Am I going to be hurting more than I am helping?
64. Will my stomach always be upset with the new food?
65. What happens if I break my glasses and lose my contacts?! (first world problems…)
66. Are my expectations too high?
67. Is it acceptable to come back with 11 adopted children (one from each country) …?
68. Okay, maybe I can’t adopt kids but what about Animals?!
69. Will I gain or lose weight?
70. Will my family be okay without me?
71. Will my doggies remember me?!
72. How will God use me through my weakness?
73. Will I be the same when I come back home?
74. Can I trust the Lord that he will take care of my family while I am gone? – (Jarren)
75. I really hope I am on _____’s team!!
76. How can I love these people that I have never even met! (squad mates)
77. Will people accept me when I get back?
78. Am I doing the right thing?
79. How will I survive without my Spotify playlist?
80. How different will my friends be when I get back?
81. This whole “Hurry up and Wait” thing is not fun… Launch needs to hurry!
82. What are some good habits to stay engaged with my team and not technology?
83. Will I meet my husband on the mission field (ok, I am NOT the only women who thinks this)?
84. I hope I learn how to make new meals from my host families!
85. What form of technology will I miss the miss the most ( refrigerator, dish washer, washing machine, electricity in general)
86. Will I miss TTU wifi (which is terrible) more when I have none at all?
87. How wonderful will it be to have no wifi at times?
88. How in love will I fall with the people I meet overseas?
89. Lord, I desire to see more of your creations.
90. What will I remember that a camera can’t capture?
91. How much more will I fall deeply and intimately in love with you God?
92. Instead of packing a tent, can I pack the same weight in chocolate and coffee? – inspired by Jarren
93. How much sunscreen do I need (pasty white probs)?
94. Should I be exited or scared of wet monsoon season in Asia?
95. I sure hope the world loves Broccoli as much as I do.
96. No one can deny the fact that God’s miracles exist since God is using ME to spread His name…
97. That quote that says “God doesn’t call the equip , he equips the called” is SO true.
98. Will I miss school work since I have been doing it for 15 straight years?
99. My new famous words are “Well, I wont be here then so…”
100. Lord, I don’t know what these next 11 months hold… but all I know is that you have never left me and won’t start now. You know my heart deeper than anyone else and oh wow I love you so much!!