The World Race organizers have suggested that I write a blog post about what kinds of things I'm expecting while on the World Race. However, in blog stalking Racers currently on the field, I've been told not to expect anything and to go with the flow. Anything can change in a moment while on the Race, and I'm trying to go into it with a mindset of flexibility and trust in God. That said, there are still some things I do expect to happen on the Race:
~I expect to been drawn ever closer to God and to develop my relationship with Him even more. I expect to learn to lean on Him fully and completely for everything, and even though this is a scary thought at times, I'm excited to take my relationship with Him to this level.
~I expect to get dirty! In some countries I know I won't have access to showers (excpet possibly the bucket variety), or even Western toilets (squatty potties, here I come!) I know that sometimes (okay, probably a LOT of times!) I will miss these comforts of home, but I'm prepared for it. In the meantime, I'm thankful for the porcelain throne and my hot showers!
~I expect to try some crazy and not-so-crazy cultural foods. As someone who tends to be on the picky side, some of my friends are surprised when I tell them (honestly!) that I'm a little excited to try some new things overseas. I've been out of the country before, to Nicaragua, Mexico, and Kenya, and I've tried new things everytime and enjoyed new things! I know there will be numerous times I'll miss Chick-fil-A, Bojangle's, Dr. Pepper, ketchup, Yogurt Mountain, and my mom's cooking, but I'm excited for the opportunity to eat some cool things!
~I expect to have a team of best friends/family. I will be traveling with a squad of 60+ people around my age, and I will be put on a smaller team of 5 or 6 other people. I will be living primarily with my team, and will be with them 24/7. So they will quickly become my family on the field!
~I expect to be uncomfortable. I know I'll be uncomfortable physically, emotionally, mentally, and spirtitually. I'm already praying God will help me through my discomfort and use it for His glory.
~I expect to smell unpleasant smells, see unpleasant and shocking things, feel a whole range of powerful emotions, come face-to-face with a LOT of creepy-crawlies, and have my heart broken more than once.
~I expect to have loooooooooooong travel days between countries!
~I expect to fall in love with kids and other people in all the countries I'll visit. I think it might be a good thing I'm not married, because if I was, I'm sure I would be begging my husband to adopt a ton of children that I'll meet on the Race 🙂 I know I'll meet people I will want to pack up and take with me!
~I expect to take some AMAZING photographs! Please pray for my Nikon, that it'll last the whole trip!
~I expect to miss my life back here a lot! I'm a homebody at heart, so I know that I'll miss my family, friends, job, church, and my dog FREQUENTLY! Please pray that around holidays and birthdays especially I'll feel God's comfort and that I won't feel too homesick.
~I expect to come back a different person. I know this trip will be life-changing, and I'm excited to see what God has in store for this trip!
Thank you again for joining my journey!
