I remember looking at a bunch of different lists back in 2015. Each list was compiled of 11 countries that were soon to get a whole squad of people going in and sharing the Gospel. I remember the list of questions asked during the application process and the list of names of the people on K squad I read after I got accepted. Then the list of countries I would be visiting had to be memorized, because there was never a chance to not talk about the race. Then the list of things needed for this adventures started to grow. From supplies list to the list of blogs that helped me pack for this trip started growing as well. The list of people to send support letters to and the list of different types of fundraisers to raise $17,000 started to become bigger and bigger. Then there was also the lists of what am I doing, who am I seeing right before I embark on this 11 month journey. So what I am saying is that once I started the journey of the world race lists have been coming at me left and right.
K squad went through lists upon lists of flights back home. Food lists were given to loved ones to buy and make sure the comforts that we missed from home are available. We dreamed of days where we were able to drive and get all the food we would get if available. We talked to our friends and family have made the to-do lists for when we get back home to see the sites we have been missing and talk face to face with the people we missed most. We created yet even more lists for the plans for going back home. We went through the lists of options for what we are doing when we go back home. These lists consisted of options for jobs, for further missions, things that would fulfil what the Lord has in store for us. Only it was up to us to look at those lists to even consider them and keep up with being obedient to the Lords calling in our lives. But then there are lists, no actually more gifts that Lords wants us to keep forever.
On Monday for team-time we made a list. This list was filled with memories. These memories weren’t just the country we went to but the small stories we have from these countries. Those long travel days that seemed like they would never end, singing with strangers in a café in Nepal, we got to sit down and go back in time with these lists we made. We looked back on the fried dough balls from the first month on the race as well as the copious amounts of food we were feed in India (they wouldn’t stop feeding us). We got to come together as a team and go over the list of memories that these past months have given us. The days of ministry that were hard and stressed us out, and the days of joy that we will never forget, these are the lists we will be telling people when we get home. The list of names of the people the Lord has put in our path to spread his glory with, or the names of the people we told his glory to.
It is crazy to think that after over a year of lists, and remembering names, and creating memories that will be with me for a long time, is coming to a close. That these different lists made will no longer be needed, that there will be no more panic trips to REI. There will be no more countries to list off to supporters, there will be no more ministry hosts added on to the list that was made. During this season of our lives we will be replaying the list of what happens when one gets home from the race. As well as the list of how to handles the questions and the craziness of returning to friends and family and my home church , as well as handling not being constantly surrounded by people and sleeping in my own bed, in my own room alone. These lists have been a big blessing and a big part of my life during this past season on the race, but now it is time to come home and create lists that will help me in this new season of processing being home and moving into what the Lord wants for me next.
