As I write I am sitting on a BIG, comfortable, brown and soft couch at my brother in law and sister’s house, where I am currently residing. As I look back over the past two months since I’ve been home I can’t help but think, “What in the heck just happened?” How did I go from traveling from country to country with people who became my sisters and brothers, living in constant community, serving in any and every way possible, living out of my backpack, sleeping on next to nothing showering every so often and eating whatever was put in front of me, to staying in one place for longer than 3 weeks at a time, living in community but being able to get away when I want to, putting clothes in my dresser and closet, showering pretty much whenever I want to, being able to eat whatever I want and sleeping on a nice soft bed.
I have to pinch myself and get myself to look at pictures from the last eleven months, because there are days that go by and I think, “Did all that really happen?” It’s been a process since I got home and I am definitely still trying to process my way back into “normal life.” I thought I wouldn’t be able to stop talking about different countries and starting all my stories with, “I remember this one time on the race when…” but that has not been the case. It’s been a struggle to talk about. I find myself not wanting to burden those around me with the many many stories I could tell from the past year, and I find myself having to process through a lot of this on my own.
I always knew I wanted to write a blog about the process of re-entry back into America, but I don’t think I could have ever imagined what this was actually going to be like. My first month home was a whirlwind. I kept trying to tell myself and others that I needed time to rest and take some time to just chill after the long year. Well I will tell you something, unless you make rest a priority and set times up that you are absolutely not doing anything no matter what comes up then it’s going to be hard to rest. By my third week home I was hitting the road again and traveled to Georgia with my Dad where I was reunited with most of my squad for a conference with Adventures In Missions. This is a time where AIM helps alumni racers get geared up for their next season of life. Then I went from Georgia to Texas, Texas to Tennessee and Tennessee to Missouri. Needless to say after another 3 weeks of travel I hit a point where I was so exhausted physically, spiritually and emotionally that I knew it was time to actually get back to Indianapolis and rest.
Since then I have been able to spend some days at home just being with the Lord, spending time with my family, getting plugged back in at church and small group, and getting ready to head back to school in the fall.
I know that God has good plans for my future and I know that some of those plans include traveling overseas again at some point. One huge thing I learned while on the Race was how I didn’t have to be overseas to serve God. One of the biggest ministries I had while on the Race was to my team, loving, serving and helping them grow closer to God. Through this I have learned that my life, every single thing I do, is ministry. Giving my time, resources and life every day over to my Father is so freeing and allows Him to work even when I’m just sitting on a BIG, comfortable, brown and soft couch.
This blog is a little scatter-brained but I think that’s a good representation of my life right now.
I would love to meet with anyone who would like to hear more about my trip while I am in the Indianapolis area. If you would like to set up a time to meet please email me at [email protected] If you are unable to come to Indianapolis, or if you live in another state and would like to hear about my trip please email me and I will send you my phone number so we can set a time up!
Thank you all for all the support and prayers throughout this amazing journey!!
