Over the Race, they stress “staying present” which I understand completely… but in 2 months I’ll be back in the States and I am going to need to hit the ground running (for various reasons).
I’m moving back home, with my parents, at least for a while.
I’m going back to school. I started an A.S. degree in Early Childhood and Youth Development a long time ago but I put finishing on hold for a long time. I am switching my degree to a general education A.S. with the hopes of, eventually, going for my bachelors in… something.
I literally start school the day I arrive back in the States. I will be taking one class online for my first semester (an advanced composition class- which I’m hoping to be able to use some of the stories from the last 11 months). I have a full spring semester planned: Intro to Chemistry, Intro to Physics, Child and Adolescent Psychology, and Statistics… Obviously, I put off my science/math until the very end… I have one class I will need to take over the summer 2018 (world history, online) and then, God willing, I will be done.
I have asked my daycare boss for a position. I’m praying over this decision still but I believe it is the best option- I love my bosses, the families, my babies, and my coworkers. Although over the Race I have discovered I no longer want to pursue a permanent career in childcare, I also know working with children is a gift God has given me and I would love to utilize it.
It’s hard for me, this life plan. While I see the good in each of these choices (and they are all choices I’m making because I know they are the best option), it’s hard to go back home after 11 months of traveling the world. I had rather hoped the Race would’ve exhausted my wanderlust bug, but it’s only aggravated it. I still have itchy feet; I still don’t want to settle down.
I’m going into month 10… I was told, by this point, I’d want this dang thing to be over with… I don’t. I want to stay in this season, with these people… but I know all seasons end.
I’m planning on traveling more, as much as I’m able. My teammates Emily and Mariah and I are planning a trip to Ireland. I would like to do some backpacking around Europe (with a friend or, potentially, solo). I have friends literally around the world now and I would like to visit them and support them.
I want to see new things.
I want to see everything.
Coming home will be an exercise in finding balance. Balance between being a stable member of society and following these dreams that have been awakened in my heart.
God isn’t done with me. The Race wasn’t the end of His plans for me- just the next step.
