The long travel days I just experienced in my first week on the world race combined with what I have seen so far on this journey amazes me. 70 hours of travel consisted of 4 plane rides, many hours of layovers, and 10 hours on a train. Every step of the way I saw many new things. I also saw things that took me back to where I am from, the South. The slow southern days and nights are like no other, but so often we get so caught up in the distractions and hustle of American living that we forget what life is really all about. Here in Romania I have seen such simple living. There are vast fields planted in corn, cabbage, and other things. Horses are used for transportation and used to tend the land. I see God’s beauty all around just like I see it at home. They have very few tractors, but they are okay with that! They are so appreciative of what they do have and are not really complaining about it. This is life for them! All people work the fields from the young child about age 5-6 to the elderly man and woman in their 70-80’s.
The thing I have noticed in life is that Satan’s biggest threat to us all is distracting us. Where else on Earth can he better fulfill that than America? The land where you can get any and everything that you want, and you’re never satisfied. When we receive something it only leaves us longing for something bigger and better. We never really think about how blessed we truly are. I have to admit that I sometimes forget how blessed I am. I often also don’t spend as much time with the lord as I should. For this year and forevermore I am going to praise him for the things I do have and spend my time with HIM. God has blessed us beyond measure! God has blessed Romania as well. This trip so far has made me take a step back, to understand how truly blessed I am, to take life on day at a time and live it for the only one worth living for, and to give thanks for all of this! The problem is that this is just a taste of what’s to come. The 11 racers here are so blessed this month. We have a bed, a place to bathe, a toilet, and some Internet. I can’t wait for what’s to come and see more of what he has created. No matter how much or how little we have, we all should be so thankful. He created us all and we’re beautiful; He created every city and it’s beautiful, just look through our maker’s eyes!
