Well hey there!
It’s been awhile hasn’t it? This has probably been the longest break I have taken between blogs since I launched last year. I could use the excuse that life hasn’t been as exciting since being home but that would be an absolute lie. And I do my best to avoid lying to my friends.
I have spent the last week in freezing Gainesville, Georgia. I flew out here for the final debrief of the Race. I was reunited with my squad as well as the other 3 squads who launched with us last January. Our days consisted of worship, teachings and breakout sessions about the past year of our lives, the stories we are still processing through and where to go from here. Some days were a lot of fun reminiscing but other days were pretty difficult. It was just a lot.
Especially now coming to the realization that “where to go from here” has become a resounding cymbal in my ears. Naturally I experience mini panic attacks here and there about decisions that need to be made but this past week I walked away with a peace about whatever is next.
One of my leaders at Adventures in Missions (AIM) told me over a delicious plate of buffalo wings, “Jolene, the World Race is a highway, not a cul-de-sac.” I didn't realized that subconsciously I had felt back at the beginning. Like I took an 11 month sabbatical, traveled around the world, served various people groups and am now back… right where I started, the entrance of the cul-de-sac. But that is not the truth.
The Race is a highway and it launches you to new destinations. Whether that be to new perspectives, new opportunities or new geographic locations. Once you’ve hit the onramp, you are going somewhere and when you exit the race you are found in a new adventure.
I said good-bye one last time to my Race family as we headed home to states all over US. I stayed a few more days in Atlanta to visit with a good friend who is home from South Africa for a month. It has been a nice transition before heading back to SoCal (which will be on Monday).
I’ve got a lot to be praying about, a lot to process and even more to be grateful for.
I will be continuing to update my blog periodically, so stay tuned…
Exiting the highway,
Jolene
