I arrived in Chicago for the launch of my World Race. I should have been over the moon excited, but I was panicked out of my mind. The pack that contained everything I needed for the entire year was missing. The airline said they were currently searching for it, but had no idea where it was. Days earlier I had reminded people that the reason I wanted to go on the Race was to be put out of my comfort zone. Here I was, DAY ONE…painfully out of my comfort zone and absolutely resenting it. I tried very hard to keep my cool, but I was feeling a lot of emotions that I didn’t want to…anxiety, fear, anger, resentment. It wasn’t pretty.
My team just blew me away that day. They knew how I was feeling and they rallied around me in prayer. They even decided to “fast” from their own packs until I got mine back. The love of Christ is just pouring out of these people! I love them so much already…and it was so encouraging to see that our first “trial” as a team really ended up bringing us closer together as a family.
My wonderful squadmate Moriah actually seemed overjoyed at the prospect of my journey of abandonment already beginning, and I’m not going to lie, I didn’t share her enthusiasm! She “tattooed” the word FREEDOM on my arm as a reminder to carry throughout the day. My team got on the train to downtown Chicago and everytime I looked at my arm I embraced that freedom a little bit more. By the end of the afternoon my Spirit was renewed with the fact that Christ had set me free so that I could be FREE. Yes! that pack is filled with a lot of important stuff…my malaria medication, my bed for the year, all of my clothing. But the reality is, it really is just stuff. All I really need this year is Jesus…if I don’t have Him all of this stuff is completely worthless.
When we got back to the hotel, my pack had arrived. The feeling of relief was unbelievable. My team was dancing around the lobby (probably because they knew the fast was over)
It is just crazy how quickly God has shown up on this journey of mine. I think He knew that I needed to learn how to rely on Him straight away. I am just so thankful that I received that reminder so early on…I want to remember this feeling for the months to come. He WILL provide…I just need to rest on that fact.
We have been enjoying our stay in Chicago…We got to see the famous “bean” in Millenium Park. We enjoyed our final overpriced coffee, hot showers with good water pressure, Western toilets, comfortable beds…the list goes on and on! But tomorrow we are boarding a plane for Guatemala…Bring on the WORLD!!! (and hopefully my pack will join me for the ride!)
Cheyenne at the BEAN! (Check out this girl's blog, and you'll see why I am SO excited to call her my sister this year!)
