Before I left for the race people would ask me if I was ready to be gone for 9 months. They would say, “I don’t think I could just pack up and leave for 9 months out of the year.” I tried to put it out of my mind, the fact that I would be gone for 9 months. I knew deep down I was nervous, but I continued to put up a wall with my “I’m strong” face on. As a lot of us like to say, “I’m fine.” 9 months hung over my head. 9 months, gah, that is such a long time. How do you pick up your life and live out of a backpack for almost a full year?
9 months ago I had these thoughts. 9 months ago I had no clue what I was about to step into. My feelings from the beginning to the end are incredibly changed.
I feel blessed
I feel encouraged
I feel loved
I feel joy
I feel the presence of the Lord
I feel a deep love for others around me
I feel stretched
I feel uncomfortable yet there is comfort inside of that
I feel peace
I feel so many bug bites
I feel rashes that never leave
I feel an itchy head that may still have lice
I feel a sun-kissed face
I feel complete
I feel bold
I feel confident
I feel a wall that has slowly, but surely been put down
I feel more wise
Gap-D. Words don’t express how appreciative I am of each and every one of you. You have all stretched me to my limits and far past them. You have showed me how to truly love and care for one another like the Lord cares for us. You have taught me to be okay with endless bugs, sweat, and power outages. Like Ron said, I believe that each one of us were hand-picked to be on this team. I wouldn’t have wanted to travel the world with anyone else.
As I sit here anxiously waiting and basically crying on the plane next to a sleeping mom and her son, it excites me to continue on in this crazy life with you all. Even though we are spread out all over the country, I know there are many adventures ahead. Thank you for the friendships. Life is sweeter with each one of you. North Carolina is open to you all. Much love, han
