" 'Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert."
Isaiah 43:18-19
So…Why The World Race? Well, that is a very good question. Back in early 2007 sometime (can't remember exactly when) I found the Adventures in Missions website when I was searching the Internet for short-term missions opportunities. I ran across The World Race while browsing their site, and I remember thinking something like, "That looks awesome, but I'd never do anything like that." So I actually looked at some of their 3 month mission trips and almost went on one of those to India…almost. The Lord had other plans for my life at that time. I ended up taking a full-time job the summer after I graduated college working as a Human Resource Assistant for a company in my hometown of Macon, Mississippi while continuing to live at home with my family.
Sometime around late 2007 or early 2008 I began looking into The World Race; this time more seriously. I was learning a lot at my first real job but also had a LOT of stress and anxiety along with that. I got thrown in the payroll manager role for 2 branches of my company plus a lot of other responsibilities. Needless to say, I made lots of mistakes and shed lots of tears during those months. Through all of this I began to realize that the "American Dream" was not MY dream. I did not desire to "climb the corporate ladder" while all of my energy was drained from me and I felt I had nothing left to give at the end of the day.
So early in 2008 I applied to The World race and was accepted to be a part of the October 2008 Team. During the 2 weeks that I had to pray over the decision before completely committing, my direction totally changed. I did not have a peace about committing to The WR and began to explore other options. During those two weeks I believe that the Lord led me back to something else. I had worked in camping ministry for 3 summers previously at Pine Lake Fellowship Camp, and there the Lord put in me a passion for camping ministry. Through the CCCA website I put out my interest in being a camp counselor for the summer and got tons of responses within a week! I ended up turning down, yes turning down, my acceptance to The WR and applying for a job at Camp Redcloud in Colorado.
By May, I had quit my full-time, full benefits job and had headed out to Colorado! I won't go into all the details, but the Lord did some big things in my heart during that time. I ended up working their Outdoor Education season that fall and then coming on full-time as their Administrative Office Assistant. I worked in that position for almost 2 years. I think I can honestly say that those 2 1/2 years were some of the hardest, most intense times of growth in my life so far up to that point. They were also filled with wonderful friends and adventures while being surrounded by God's majesty in the amazing San Juan mountains. Then it was time to move on…
The Lord led me to where I currently work in the fall of 2010. I now live in a small town in New York working as a live-in nanny/housekeeper. It has it's ups and downs, but I absolutely LOVE the family that I'm working for. These two little girls forever have a special place in my heart. 🙂
Through it all, several times a year or about every 3 or 4 months I would have this desire to just pick up and go on The World Race! So I would read blogs and sometimes even talk with AIM staff about it. I would pray about it, but nothing ever actually HAPPENED. The desire continued to be there. I have felt a strong desire to do overseas mission work for several years but haven't know what that looked like or when it would happen. I still don't know what that looks like.
So last month, January 2011, I received an REI travel magazing in the mail. It just hit me hard! The World Race! So I began looking into it once again and praying about it and thinking about it. Before fully submitting my application I believe that the Lord revealed to me some fears in my life that were controlling me and my way of thinking and making decisions. I've been fearful of the future. I have a huge desire to get married and have a family one day and am always thinking…what if…what if I meet someone…blah, blah, blah. Do I want to actually secure the fact that at the end of another 19 months I will be 26 and STILL SINGLE?! Do I want to give up my security and percieved "control" over my life for 11 months?! What about finances? What will my family and friends think? Will I have their approval? So there was a huge struggle there as the Lord revealed these things to me more and more. I WASN'T trusting the Lord with my entire future. I wasn't resting in Him. I wasn't LOVING Him enough.
A couple of weeks ago I was listening to a podcast by Pastor Adrian Rogers. The conclusion to the sermon was very convicting and eye-opening after I meditated on it more and more. It basically boiled down to this: If you spend time with God, you will LOVE God, therefore you will TRUST God. If we REALLY believe that God is who He says He is and His Word is TRUE, all of it and all of the time, then we will love and trust Him completely. Oh, so my not trusting completely in God's plan for my life was a result of not loving Him enough. Not what I wanted to hear, but it made complete sense.
Now I am stepping out in faith through this open door and seeking the Lord and expecting Him to do great things in and through me for HIS glory. His plan is best. Yes, this is scary. The Lord MUST show up for everything to fall into place. I am looking forward to the challenges, hardships, growth, adventures, travel, community, friendships, experiences and overall unknow that's ahead. But isn't that life in general? Whether you're going out on the mission field overseas or working 9 to 5, you still do not know what's ahead. The Lord MUST be our solid foundation, our All in All. Your life can change in an instant. Today is the day to stop procrastinating! I want to live life to the fullest for His glory with no regrets!
I'm sorry that was so long, but it's been quite a journey over the past 4 years, and it all plays a part in where I am today! Overall the Lord is faithful!
"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."
I John 4:18
