In 2 days The World Race will be over and I will be boarding a plane back to the States. In these last few days I have spent a lot of time with the Lord reflecting on the last year of my life. In 2 days I will be back in the States reunited with friends and family. In 2 days this amazing experience will seem more like a dream than something that actually took place. In 2 days I will be “home” whatever that means…but really it is the NEW me that is coming home. Through my time of reflection the Lord has shown me areas in which I have grown. I am not the same person 
I was when I left 11 months ago. The former self (which I will refer to as she or her) was unsure of her identity in Christ. She was a person that had listened to the lies of the world for so long that truth seemed distant. She doubted everything and everyone. She lacked wisdom, confidence and walked in an air of selfishness. My former self searched for love, attention, and approval in the wrong places and in the wrong ways.
I was when I left 11 months ago. The former self (which I will refer to as she or her) was unsure of her identity in Christ. She was a person that had listened to the lies of the world for so long that truth seemed distant. She doubted everything and everyone. She lacked wisdom, confidence and walked in an air of selfishness. My former self searched for love, attention, and approval in the wrong places and in the wrong ways. Now as I return home the former self is gone. In it’s place is a strong woman of God coming forth that walks with an air of confidence. Doubt has been replaced with TRUTH. I now return home confident of the woman God has created me to be. I return home knowing who I am in Christ and who Christ SAYS I am. I am beautiful, passionate, and worthy of being pursued. I now walk in a spirit of wisdom that the Lord has given to me over time. I have learned what it means to be patient in all things as God has walked me through the fire of refinement over and over and over again. I say these things not with an air of pride but with humility as I look back and realize where I WAS and where God has brought me today. The road has been hard at times, 
up hills and down through valleys; sometimes the obstacles have seemed to large to get around or over- much less through, and at times the road has been easy, leading me beside quiet streams and beautiful gardens. All in all I have found that God has been there with me every step of the way. He has brought me through some of the hardest things that I thought impossible. He has given me a spirit of joy and a delight that comes only from the intimacy that I have found with Him through His Word and through spending time with him in prayer.
up hills and down through valleys; sometimes the obstacles have seemed to large to get around or over- much less through, and at times the road has been easy, leading me beside quiet streams and beautiful gardens. All in all I have found that God has been there with me every step of the way. He has brought me through some of the hardest things that I thought impossible. He has given me a spirit of joy and a delight that comes only from the intimacy that I have found with Him through His Word and through spending time with him in prayer. The World Race may be coming to an end but the journey is just beginning. Yes, this chapter in my life is about to close but a new one is about to open. God has brought me a long way, yes, but oh…I still have SO far to go! God is not done with me yet. This trip is done, but God has equipped me with the weapons and tools that I will need later on in this journey we call life. I am returning home a new person, and I am eager to share what God has taught me with all of you!
