Next year, in January, I'm going to get on a plane and leave my family and the US for 11 months to go to 11 countries: South Africa, Mozambique, Swazi…. you know, I am not even sure what countries. So much can change with all the logistics of World Race, I can't even tell you for sure where I'll be next year. This is the life I've signed up for.
And this week, it's going to lurch even closer. This month has been awesome: I got shots last week, I've been hanging out with friends, and I even packed my World Race backpack and had room to spare! But that's just the beginning. I have actually lost sleep, I'm so excited about what October will bring. Every night is Christmas Eve.
1. In two days, I'm going to get on a plane to fly to Atlanta, because training camp begins this weekend. It will last a week. We will be at a campsite near the border of Tennessee and Georgia (but technically in Tennessee). At training camp I will meet all the other World Racers launching this January, both those going on my route and those going on the four others. I'm Facebook friends with many of these people, but starting this weekend, we're going to be a part of each other's lives in a whole new way. I am looking forward to it. And I think training camp will be a huge reality check, as far as making me see what I'm about to do, and why, and what it'll look like.
2. I'm going to use my excuse for being on the East Coast (well, close enough) to visit some of my best friends, friends I didn't think I'd be able to see until who knows when. After training camp is over, I'll fly to Philadelphia and stay with Jess, my roommate and oldest friend from Vassar, for a few days. I'm so excited to see her- this is how gracious she is: even though she's a vegetarian, she will take me to get Philly cheese steaks (since I've only ever had the knock-offs from Vassar's dining hall [did you actually offer this, Jess, or are you just learning this plan now?]). Also, she is an EMT and could save your life.
3. After some glorious day with Jess and Philly (I've never been there before!) I get to see two more good friends, Dan and Nora- also from Vassar. They're both at seminary in Philly, but we're going to take the weekend to go to the Big Event, an Intervarsity conference in New York that we went to as Vassar students. A whole bunch of Christian fellowships will be there, and we're going to be small group leaders for students. I am very excited for the opportunity to go to this conference, but mostly, I'm overjoyed that I get to see Dan and Nora again. There's also a chance of us staying in the Pocono Mountains for a night.
4. After an incredibly eventful two weeks or so, I'll fly home, where it will be Halloween and I will maybe dress as Flo from the Progressive Insurance ads.
I am so happy to meet my team next week at camp, and be able to reunite with some of my best friends afterwards: pray for safe travels, flexibility, and the energy to be thankful for all these great times!
It's getting real… stay tuned….
