Hello Friends!
I can hardly believe that the World Race is my reality. If you’d asked me a month ago, “Kate, will you ever go on the World Race?” I would’ve smiled and said, “I wish, but I don’t think it’s God’s plan for me.” The idea of leaving my home in Kansas City, selling most of belongings, and saying goodbye to my amazing job as a middle school teacher seemed unfathomable. In fact, several years ago (after my brother returned from his own World Race) I started an application, but after a lot of prayer, I clearly knew the journey wasn’t my next step. Little did I realize, God wasn’t telling me “no”; He was telling me, “not now.”
And, here I am. That “not now” from 4 years ago has suddenly became a “NOW!” God is telling me that NOW is time for my World Race.
In a matter of 2 weeks, what was once right side up in my life was upside down, and what was upside down was right side up.
Suddenly, I ended a serious, year and a half relationship. It was the right decision, but oh the heartache of saying goodbye. Crying in my bedroom, I leaned into God’s comfort and love more than I had in a really long time.
Then, a gentle question came to me, “What about the World Race?”
“Hmmmm, That’s crazy. I thought that door was shut years ago. Lord is this You? Or, is this me running away from my heartache?”
Softly, I heard my answer, “Or are you running to Something?”
So, I prayed, and prayed, and prayed. Then, I prayed some more. Finally, I knew it was time to share the idea with my Mom. She’s the ultimate test. If she says it’s a crazy idea, then it’s a crazy idea and I’d go on with my regular life. But, the idea wasn’t crazy to my Mom. In fact, she agreed that now is the time for my World Race. Next, I told my Dad. With a kiss on the cheek, he said, “I think it’s a great idea Kate-O.” My decision was confirmed.
Suddenly, I applied for the World Race.
Suddenly, I decided to leave my adorable home nestled in the heart of Kansas City to move home and live with my parents.
Suddenly, I shared my BIG news with my head of school, fellow teachers, students, and parents.
Suddenly, May 23rd marked not only the last day of school, but also my final day as a middle school teacher at Oakhill Day School.
Suddenly, I’m offered a spot on the January 2015 World Race Squad. (That’s right, I told everyone before I was officially accepted. Super Crazy, but in my heart, I knew I was supposed to say goodbye first and trust God’s plan.)
Suddenly, I’m saying goodbye to a career I love, students I adore, co-workers I call my friends, and friends I call family.
Suddenly, this adventure isn’t a dream; the World Race is my future and reality.
Here’s what I realized…all of these “suddenlies”, weren’t so sudden to God. All along, He knew His plans for my life. While the last two weeks felt like a whirlwind of change to me, God wasn’t surprised by the changes. He’s been preparing my heart for months.
For the last year, I’ve heard His voice whispering to me:
“Kate, I know the thoughts I think towards you. Thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all you heart” (Jeremiah 29:11-13).
Until last week, I didn’t know what He had planned for me. Now I know that God called me to the World Race as the next step in His plan. It’s time for change, time to grow, and time to go deeper in the Word. It’s time to follow God’s call for me to “trust Him with all my heart” (Proverbs 3:5), abandon what makes me comfortable, and “serve the Lord with gladness” (Psalm 100:2).
With a joyful heart, it’s time for the World Race.
Love Love Love
Kate
