One year ago today, I stepped onto US soil after an eleven month adventure that turned my life upside down. At that moment, I stood at the precipice between nearly a year of incredible God-moments, and a future of unknowns.
Much of the past year has been spent processing all that I learned during the World Race. God has continued to speak "identity" into my life, reinforcing that I am indeed His precious, dearly loved Child, and that He has good plans for me, even when I can't seem to understand them.
When we first returned to the US, I wondered how long it would be before I headed back overseas. Twelve months later, I am surprisingly still on US soil, which is a monumental landmark for this perpetual globe trotter, indeed. My passport is itching to be used, but soon it will be satisfied with yet another colorful "arrival" stamp. One month from today, I will be heading back to China, to resume teaching at the International School of Beijing. Much has changed since I lived in Beijing, but I return with both excitement and anticipation for all the Lord may have for me there.
Over the past twelve months, so many different experiences and events have shaped, molded, and changed my life. I returned to the US hoping that I could spend the year learning what it meant to be "American." Instead, God enriched the year with far more than that, giving me life-changing experiences that have transformed my mind and my understanding of who I am in Christ.
I wish I could spend the hours it would take to recap every event, both good and bad, from the past year. Instead, I hope you won't mind if I list some of the highlights (and lowlights) and a few photos from my year beyond the World Race:
- In September 2012, I moved to Fort Collins, Colorado, and spent the year deepening my relationship with my brother, David. I also met some incredible people and have been blessed by their friendship and investment into my life.
- I went to Fort Wayne, Indiana, to check out the annual Johnny Appleseed Festival with my WR teammate, Sabrina.
- I got lost in a Corn Maze. And then I got chased by a zombie in a Haunted Corn Maze.
- I was able to serve with both the Youth Group and Worship team at Loveland Church of the Nazarene, and watched the Holy Spirit move in some powerful ways.
- I attended three professional sporting events in less than three months: Colorado Rockies (baseball), Denver Nuggets (basketball), and Denver Broncos (football). I also got to watch the Harlem Globetrotters play.
- I discovered Chick-Fil-A and decided that I would eat chicken every now and again.
- I learned how to snowboard. Well, sort of.
- In April 2013, my Mom and I sang Verdi's Requiem at Carnegie Hall, in New York City.
- In a six-week period, I touched both the East Coast and West Coast twice, visiting friends and family in New York, San Diego, South Carolina, and San Francisco.
- I became a semi-professional photographer…well, kind of (I took engagement photos, senior photos, family portraits, a wedding, and a book cover shoot).
- I had my heart broken. And through it, God revealed His loving grace by bringing restoration and healing to repair the brokenness of that relationship.
- I juggled four jobs, working as a substitute teacher for Poudre School District, a tutor for Hi-5 Tutoring, a lesson plan writer for ProjectExplorer.org, and as a graphics clipper for Walker Mower Manufacturing.
- In three weeks, I managed to reconnect with three different Small Group sisters from my days in Beijing… Tiffany (in Colorado), Donica (in South Carolina), and Jamie (in San Francisco). Such a sweet blessing!
- I managed to have quite a few World Race mini-reunions with fellow squadmates (Sabrina Utz, Megan Czerwinski, Drew Phelps, Tommy Chapman, Billy Wark, Sarah Croaker, and Tom Hoffman), as well as invest into lives of World Racers who are now on the field.
In recent days, I have been reading a book called "One Thousand Gifts," by Ann Voskamp. Through her narrative, Ann Voskamp explores and defines the Biblical principle of "Eucharisteo" – giving thanks – as the heart to living the abundant life God has called us to. The etymology of Eucharisteo is found in three things: Grace (Charis), Joy (Chara), and Giving Thanks. Throughout the World Race, we learned again and again about the importance of giving thanks in everything…especially in the darkest moments when it would be so easy to give up and complain. Over the past year, there is much more that I am deeply grateful for, and I know and believe that it is when I have found myself in that place of humble gratitude before God that He has drawn me even closer into a life overflowing with His abundant love, joy, and grace.
I pray that the past year has been one filled with God's grace for you, as well, my precious reader. May He fill your heart and mind with the knowledge and peace of His presence.
Thank you for being a part of both my journey on the World Race and my journey beyond. Blessings!
