In the past few weeks I‘ve done a lot of things to prep myself for this trip, some deeply important and others just for fun.
- I‘ve eaten at Chik-fil-A and had my grandma‘s home made salmon and biscuits.
- I‘ve slept in my bed and enjoyed the comfort of my pillow and comforter.
- I‘ve played Setters of Catan to many times to count.
But those last times didn‘t feel very final.
- I‘ve packed two backpacks crammed full of stuff, some of which I‘m already planning on leaving at our first location. A 35 pound bag is much easier to handle than a 46 pounder.
- I‘ve had 9 shots and I‘m carrying a bag full of malaria pills, vitamins and garlic extract.
- I‘ve given away clothes that I knew wouldn‘t be needed on The World Race.
- I‘ve picked out a new bible based almost entirely on weight.
But those preparations didn‘t make reality sink in.
- I‘ve said goodbye to my three nieces and saw their sad faces as they tried to comprehend what “Aunt Shanda leaving“ really means.
- I‘ve hugged both grandmas goodbye not knowing if they will be here when I get back.
- I‘ve rubbed my cousins belly knowing that I won‘t be here when her first child is born. I‘ve said goodbye to my parents and heard them wish me good luck and tell me how proud they are.
- I‘ve seen my little brother tear up as I waved goodbye.
But, despite the tears I‘ve shed, those goodbyes didn‘t seem like they would need to last a year.
- I‘ve gotten on a plane with 5 other World Racers and flown to Miami.
- I‘ve met up with the rest of the July 08 squad for the first time since training camp.
- I‘ve trekked my 46 pound backpack from one terminal to the next with aching shoulders.
- I‘ve slept in the airport, curled up on the floor with only my pillow.
- I‘ve flown from Miami to Mexico city to Cancun in the past 24 hours.
- I‘ve boarded a twelve hour bus ride to Palenque.
And still, despite it all, this doesn‘t seem real.
I‘m wondering when it will really hit me that I‘m going to be living out of a backpack, traversing the globe, helping the nations, and spreading God‘s love, with 32 other eager adventurers.
This is just the beginning…
