Yesterday I was at home sick, so I had a lot of down time which led to a lot of thinking time. I found myself looking back at my life, and it’s so funny (and so AMAZING!) to see how God works things out. My life is absolutely nothing what I expected it to be…
You see, I had a plan for my life. I had it all figured out.
I’d go to college and get that degree. While in college I would find the guy. Once I graduated I would get that big kid job (though I had no idea what it would be — but I would figure it out), I’d get married, buy a house, do some traveling/mission work overseas, get a puppy, and then have babies. And we’d have our happily ever after.
Boy did I have it all wrong.
Instead….
:: I didn’t get my degree. Someday I plan to, once I’m more clear as to what I’m supposed to do. And something tells me that during the 11 months on the Race, God will show me what He has next for me. I trust Him completely!
:: I don’t have that “big kid” job I suppose, but instead I get to take care of two precious babies, work with the youth group at my church, and lead one of the services at my church. Never ever in my wildest dreams would I have thought I’d be the one giving the message every Sunday. People who have known me for a while can’t believe that I do it either! I was/am that shy girl who hates speaking in front of people — look at how God uses us when we say yes to Him!!
:: I now live back in Chanute (my hometown), with my parents, something I always said I would never do. But because I am back here I get to spend lots of time leading up to this trip with my family. I’m even able to see my nephew on a regular basis and watch him grow, which is such a blessing.
None of the things I had planned, happened. Not a single one of them! I guess to some that could be disappointing, but not for me. It turns out, God had something different in mind for me.
When I was in high school, if somebody asked me the question, “Where do you see yourself at the age of 25?”, because I’m sure I was asked that question at some point in my life, I can promise you my answer wouldn’t have been what I’m doing right now, living where I’m living. And I can most definitely assure you I never would have imagined I’d be doing something like the World Race, ever in my life! That one I most definitely didn’t expect!
But I am. I’m going on the World Race!! Some days the reality of that sinks in a little deeper than others! I’m really doing this!! What?!!
Yesterday I booked my flight to training camp in May. Camp is officially 11 weeks and 2 days away (thanks, Jacie, for doing the math)! Crazy, right?!! You want to know something cool though? I don’t even have to go to training camp alone which is a huge sigh of relief for me! I get to meet up with a squad-mate in OKC and then we’ll fly to Georgia together. How awesome is that?!
I’ll be honest with you, training camp was super intimidating to me. I had this fear that I would show up by myself knowing nobody, my super shy self would come out, and I wouldn’t make any friends. I was also terrified that when everyone was setting up there tent I would be clueless, sitting there by myself not able to put up my tent, and nobody would offer to help me.
Is that a bit extreme and way dramatic? I’d say so. Especially knowing who my teammates are now! haha Talk about thinking up the worst possible case scenario ever! Either way though, dramatic or not, my fears are already lifting and I’m so stoked for camp now!! Why?
1) I’m not going to camp alone.
2) In addition to who I get to travel with, there will be several other familiar faces of people I’ve already met and talk to on a regular basis once we arrive.
3) I’ve already had someone tell me they would help me set up my tent if needed, and I am most certain that many others will be quick to help too. I probably won’t be the only one struggling either – anybody else out there who has never set up a tent by themselves?!! 🙂 (I’ll definitely be practicing before camp!)
4) As I get to know my squad-mates better and better, the more excited I get about training camp and the Race! How blessed am I to get to go on such an incredible adventure with this amazing group of people?!
Jesus is so so good…He takes such good care of us!
While I am beyond excited about the Race, many people keep asking me if going on the Race scares me. The answer – absolutely, it does.
Some days/weeks more so than others and the things that scare me the most seem to change on a daily basis. For example, sometimes peeing in a hole in the ground completely freaks me out but other days it’s the least of my concerns. I will be pushed out of my comfort zone in SO many different ways that I don’t even know yet, and probably on a very regular basis too. Also, July 2014-June2015 and beyond is full of SO many unknowns — which can be terrifying but awesome all at the same time.
When I stop and think about all the things I will miss out on when I’m gone, it makes me sad. I won’t get to be here to celebrate my nephew, Brodi’s, 2nd birthday, and I won’t get to be here to celebrate and give my oldest brother, Devin, a hard time when he turns 30! (That is my job as his sister after all! :)) I will miss, literally, every single holiday. I won’t have the ability to see and talk to my family and sweet friends whenever I want to. I’ll miss out on any weddings/engagements/newborn babies and any other exciting and big things (little things too!) that may happen while I’m gone…. I could sit here and make a list so long of things that scare me and all that I will miss come July…
At the end of the day though, even on the days when the Race seems so terrifying/insane/crazy/ridiculous, I choose to go anyway because Jesus called me to this. He has made it ever so clear to me that this is what He is calling me to. And at the end of the day, I’ve come to learn that there is absolutely no better place in the world to be than where Jesus calls us.
Even if it’s not where or how I planned it, even if it’s not what I expected, there is absolutely no better place to be than where He is. His ways are far greater and higher than my own!
I am more than willing to trade a life of comfort and luxury to go where He is leading me.
And it is so unbelievably amazing to know that I have so many people backing me up prayerfully and rooting me along the way as I go on the Race. What an amazing and strong support system I have. The support and love you all keep pouring out to me, whether it be financially, prayerfully, encouraging me along the way, reading my blog, or just listening to me talk about the World Race nonstop, because let’s be real, that happens, I am so so grateful to have so many people “going” on this journey with me.
I’m choosing to say yes to the Race not because it’s going to be a leisurely vacation around the world for 11 months (sure we’ll get to do and see a lot of cool things, but I can assure you it won’t be 11 months of leisure vacation!), but because I am saying yes to His call on my life. I am saying, “Here I am, Lord. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8)
If you made it to the bottom of this, kudos to you! I need to learn to write shorter posts! 🙂 Below are a few updates on fundraising things and route changes.
- World Race 5K Walk/Run Fundraiser is April 5th – 10:30AM @ Santa Fe Park, Chanute, KS. To be guaranteed a t-shirt (Fund the Nations is making them, the same people who made my 11n11 shirts I am selling!) registration forms need to be sent in by March 21st. If you need a form, let me know!
There is a bbq (free will donation) after!! If you don’t want to run/walk, come hang out and eat good food! 🙂
- I’m still selling 11n11 shirts!! $20. Let me know if you are interested.
- I AM 61% OF THE WAY TO BEING FULLY FUNDED! Praise Jesus!! So amazing!
- Because I don’t think I have shared via my blog yet any of our route changes, here they are: Dominican Republic and Haiti (instead of Nicaragua and El Salvador), Honduras, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Philippines, Thailand, Burma (instead of Laos) and Cambodia! Remember, this could change at any time.
- Don’t forget to hit that subscribe button and enter your email so you don’t miss any updates! 🙂
Thank you all so much. Lots of love!
