For about a year and a half, I've been somewhat restless in this season of my life. I have been sensing the need for a change of some kind coupled with the desire for an adventure. I didn't know what this would be, but I pursued some different options in the winter and early spring of 2011. God didn't open any doors for me at that point, so I signed my contract to return to teach.
I started my seventh year of teaching this past fall and have been blessed with a class full of precious students. It has been a true joy to greet them each morning and spend our days learning together. I have had a real peace and contentment this year which is a true gift from God.
My story and calling to the World Race started just over a month ago. The first week in April was spring break. I was invited by a dear family to join them for several days at the Outer Banks. It was a blessing to have quiet respite and quality time with friends during that week. I read, journaled, prayed, and had quality time with the Lord as well. I headed home from the beach on the Thursday before Easter weekend. That night out of the blue, I got a message from an old friend about joining him for the Good Friday service at his church in DC and an event following. Despite not having seen him in seven plus years, I decided to go. At that point I had no idea what God was going to do to my heart over the next several days. Meeting up with Jack was a complete God-thing. Hearing his testimony, seeing his love for Jesus, and his enthusiasm for missions was inspiring and convicting. The Holy Spirit was moving in me that night.
What was I doing? I was going through the motions, not living each day to the fullest, not dreaming big things and trusting God to make them happen. Through a great deal of emotion, I prayed and reflected a lot that next day, Saturday.
Easter morning I got up at 5am to go to the sunrise service at the Lincoln Memorial. My good friend and I parked the car and walked in the dark to the steps of the memorial to find a good spot. As more people gathered, over 6,000 were in attendace that day. And then again, out of the blue, as if God was tapping me on the shoulder to remind me, "Hey! Remember what I was trying to tell you on Friday? Well, here's Jack again and I'm going use him to give you the same message…again!". Yep. In a crowd of thousands, Jack was directly in front of me. Through prayer and worship that morning, I clearly sensed God calling me to seek His direction and to be willing and open to a plan that I didn't know could even exist.
Easter Monday I began to search, asking God to show me His will, His way for me. It happened almost too fast and was almost too easy. God showed me the Adventures in Missions website where I found information about the World Race. I applied that day. The next day I got an email requesting an interview. On Thursday of that week, I interviewed and a week later I got the call that I was joining the September Route 1 Team!
God has worked out so many of the details and I have seen confirmations of His plan for me over and over already. It is so funny to think how God can use such an unlikely person at such an unlikely time to bring about something radical, but so right. I am so thankful that God loves me so much and cares enough about me to arrange and plan for His ultimate purpose to be fulfilled in my life.
I am thrilled and terrified about the World Race. I know that this will change me. I know that I will be stretched and challenged. But, I am ready. I am ready to be used to make a difference in the name of my Lord and Savior. I want to love and serve in the way that Jesus calls us to love and serve.
