Moments

I have moments.

Moments that remind me of October 2014. When I applied and got accepted to the world race.

Moments that remind me of the song that helped inspire me and push me to apply.

Moments with people that I know because of this trip, I will be life long friends with.

Moments like during month 2 in Lesvos, Greece, one of the most trying months, when myself and two of my greatest friends Kelly Anne and Rosie and I on our off day brought some wine down to the water shore and sat on a pier and drank wine together. A part of the race I will never forget. The conversations that were had. The friendships that continued to form in that moment.

Moments like month 6 in Malealea, Lesotho when we were doing house visits and the owner had a multitude of peach trees and grape vines, offered them up to us. Kelly Anne and I grabbed some peaches and some grapes and went to the front gate and stood gazing over the fields and rolling hills, saying we would never forget that moment. And it now defines a part of my race.

Like when one of the guys who worked with us at the camp in Greece pulled over from driving us home and said “We are at the point where the Muslim countries are knocking at the Christian countries doors” & “You aren’t just handing out bananas, you’re giving them a taste of heaven.” Which were both so huge for me that month to love people in hard, chaotic situations. Then he prayed for us.

Times like month 3 in Skopje, Macedonia when our team played blind folded sardines in the dark for team time. And it was one of my favorite things ever.

Going up to the giant cross month 3 in Macedonia and looking over the city seeing the snow and having a snowball fight. Pure joy.

Moments like how our team got our name. New years eve making guacamole with our newly made team, and just spending that time together, then adding an lot of salt. #staysalty

Month one going swimming in the adrean sea in montenegro. The water so clear you can see everthing. And going cliff jumping into the water.

Moments of complete vulnerability. A call home.

A month 5 safari in White river, South Africa and having your driver stop the car just for the dung beetle on the road, rolling his ball of poop around to find a wife. A great time you got to enjoy with two great friends.

Ordering pizza month 3 in Skopje, Macedonia and getting a call that he is there (there being 2 blocks away), so alyssa and I throw on some clothes cause it’s freezing out, sprint down the road (oh so American) and dodge traffic to cross the road and can’t find him. Because, silly us, we were looking for a car. He was on a delivery bike. Duh. Such a fantastic moment.

Moments that break your heart and fill it all at once cause you can’t be there. When your brother and great friend get engaged!

When you always, always (always) match Haley Gritz.

The moment you ride an elephant. And hug and elephant! Oye.

The moment we rode a carasel  (probably intended for children) in skopje, macedonia and had the time of our lives.

The moment China town in Malaysia was right behind our hostel.

The moment over 30 Filipinos gave their lives to Christ!!!!

The moment I found my favorite pair of sunglasses ever in a random car appliance shop in montenegro and bought all colors they had. And then gave them to my best friends so we could match. 

The moments I got to walk through skopje, macedonia, one of the most beautiful cities I think I’ve been in with some of the most incredible woman of Christ, seeing the leaves fall from the trees, seeing all of the Christmas lights, feeling the cold breeze, I will never forget those moments.

The moment we ran through Victoria Falls like fools because we were so excited. One of my favorite videos came from that.

The many moments after long travel days and we finally arrive, we just get into the first persons van we says their our host. It’s actually incredibly sketchy. But always turns out ok. Nothing you can do but trust.

The incredible moments people have opened their homes to us. Fed us. Loved us. People have such incredible hearts.

The moments in white river, south africa at manna church where I basically spent endless hours in their prop room playing dress up and with their puppets. No regrets.

The moment kelly anne and I did the wiring for all the stars for the back drop of the play, and used so much wire, to fund out the next day we did it all wrong. Lol.

The moments I’ve laid in my tent at night during some of the most epic storms. Wowza.

The moment the Lord gave me a glimpse of my future.

The moment we found the best donut stand in the world, for less than a dollar for so many chocolate & powdered sugar covered fried donut goodness in skopje. Favorite place, ever. Things I recommend.

Discovering Gerber daisies in Montenegro at a market. Who would have known they existed? They’re now my favorite flower ever.

Moments in the clothing tent with bethany when we are about to crack under pressure, so we grab some candy and have a dance party. Such sweet moments.

Moments like finding out we’re having a route change and leaving Albania to spend the rest of the time in Greece with the Syrian refugee crisis, on the front lines, realizing this race and my life will never be the same.

Moments getting lost exploring Greece, and you get a glimpse of what we see in the movies, the layered homes, the view of the ocean, the extravagant beauty.

Moments when there is a spider on the ground, but instead of allison getting up to kill it, a chuck my journal across the room, and better believe I got it. But the sound goes echoing through the room along with our laughter.

The moment cassandra and I go to take a nice walk along the beach and just see so much devistation from where the refugees come in. Rafts, life jackets, clothes in the water. Quite a change of plans

The moment so many places become home, even just for a short while. And so many people become such great friends, in such a short time. 

The moment you have the best Gelato everrr in tirana, albania and get as many scoops as you can on your cone. It was 5. 5 scoops.

The moment month 7 debrief comes around and round 2 of team changes and you get placed on a team with bethany once more, meaning me and Bethany are going all 11 months together! THAT is all great moment. 

The moment you look over a city (dubrovnik, croatia) and all you hear is music.

These are moments that define my race. And there are so many more. The sad truth is that I’m never going to remember all of these moments.

But I want these to help you all see a bit more what this year has looked like so far for me.