This year for me has hands down been the most stretching year of my life. I have grown so much spiritually and emotionally. I thought I would write down some wisdom/fun facts that I’ve learned this passed year.
1. Canadians are weird, eh. They’re so close to Americans, yet so different. They have odd names for things like they call the bathroom a washroom, a beanie is a toque (pronounced ‘tuke’), loonies and toonies are $1 & $2, their $100 bills smell like maple syrup & they don’t know the American national anthem.
2. Vulnerability. It’s a good thing. Don’t rob others by not sharing your story. No matter how “bad” or “shameful” you might think it is, God uses everything for good so believe He will use you and your experiences to help others if you let Him. Be vulnerable and share the things you are afraid to share.
3. A lot of people around the world don’t like Americans. Crazy right? No idea why, I mean we are the greatest country in the world. Ever. 😛
4. I am an expert at using a machete for field work! Just ask anyone on Courageous Love.
5. Comfort. God NEVER said we would be comfortable living a life for Him. In fact, He said the exact opposite. He says we will be tempted, there will be tough times and there will be pain. In comfort is a great place to be, but nothing grows there; it’s when you’re uncomfortable that you grow. So push boundaries and do the things you’re afraid to do.
6. Spanish is different. In every Central American country they spoke Spanish but had they’re own slang. In Honduras, I had a couple moments where I thought “I know they’re speaking Spanish, but I literally have no clue what was just said”.
7. His plan is always better than mine. I can’t tell you how many times I planned what my life was going to look like these last 12 months. Am I where I planned I was going to be? No. Have I surpassed any expectations I had for myself because I’ve learned to trust in His plan? Abso-freakin-lutely. If someone told me even a month ago, that I was going to be praying OUT LOUD and evangelizing to people, I would of called them crazy.
8. Godly men still exist. If I left the World Race today and they asked me what the most important thing I learned on the WR, it would say this: I have never been around men that love you and take care of you simply because Jesus would. They help us carry our 50 lb bags, always make sure there is a man leading & at least one man watching the back of the group, kill spiders, pull 15 girls up 10 ft b/c there is no ladder to get back on the boat, & even swim ahead of you to move seaweed out of your way because you’re having a panic attack. They don’t ever expect anything in return and set the bar for my future husband higher on a daily basis. ??
9. I love language! If I could have one super power, it would be to have the ability to speak every language in the world. I learned the Greek alphabet thanks to my lovely teammate Chelsea & am pretty much fluent in Bulgarian and Nyanja! 😛
10. Girls are fun. I used to say I preferred hanging out with guys over girls but I’ve learned that no one can understand a girl like another girl. You can hangout with your guy friends and they can try their very best to give you the best advice for your problems but there is nothing like quality “girl time”.
11. Community living. I never got to live in dorms or a house with a bunch of college kids, so the World Race was my first taste of long term community living. I didn’t even know I enjoyed alone time until I was around at least 6 other people 24/7 and craved it at the end of the day. I miss my privacy and “alone time” (I don’t even know what that feels/looks like anymore) but I also wouldn’t trade the experience for anything.
12. I have had AMAZING food this year and I have had questionable food this year. But in the end, I’ve learned that there is no food better than New Mexican food. Period.
13. Never leave the house without toilet paper.
14. Baby wipes= portable shower.
15. “You don’t learn anything from the second kick of the donkey.” -George(host in Albania)
16. America need missionaries just as much as the world. I wanted to go on mission trips to other countries b/c I wanted people to know and love the God I knew & loved, but America knows Him and continues to reject Him. I can’t decide which one makes me more sad: the fact that billions of people don’t know Jesus Christ or that America has ‘In God We Trust’ on their money and is still full of people that only trust Him when it’s convenient.
17. Relationships. I learned a lot from my last relationship but the most important thing I learned is that God needs to be the center of it. If God isn’t a part of it your relationship, it will be centered around worldly objects which will always eventually fail.
18. Its ok to say no. You can’t please everyone. It’s impossible. So don’t be afraid to say no to things you don’t want to do. Its ok to be too tired to not want to go out after a full day of ministry/work.
19. I’ve learned/played more card games this year then I’ve played my whole life. You name it, I’ve played it (or attempted it).
20. His love is sweetest. No amount of money, clothes, cars, friends, purses, or sex can give you the satisfaction that God’s love can. I know from experience, I’ve tried it to recreate it and looked for it in almost everything but nothing comes close to it.
21. God doesn’t call the equipped. You don’t have to be good at anything you feel God is calling you to. You do however have to be willing to change and willing to give up the world you once knew and be ready to be transformed.
