Month 8. This month is the one they warn you about. You're now a seasoned racer. The difficulty now is no longer adjusting to life on the race, but more so staying present and praying into your future at the same time. I don't know which is worse, homesickness or the fear of reentry and what comes with that. What I do know, is that I'm so excited!!
In a previous blog, I wrote about having many many dreams for after the race. I feel like getting them out in the open will be beneficial and will open up opportunities for people to give advice or just simply see inside my mind. So here they are, some of them.
The “First World” Race:
So as I travel the world I’m realizing more and more how Spiritually Poor the US is. Our “First World” ways have gotten in the way of so much. We have so much freedom we lose ourselves in it. I’ve always loved discipleship more than evangelism. This could be an incredible way to take what the World Race does in other countries to our own backyard. I don’t have details worked out, but the basic idea is to pick a section of the US and/or Canada and spend a certain amount of time in each place, partnering with former world racers in whatever they’re involved in now. Thanks to this trip, I now have 50 contacts all over the US and 3 in Canada. These are just the contacts I know well. This is not including all the Alumni that I could be connected with. Simply put, the World Race Home Edition.
Rehabilitation Ranch:
If time and money were not an issue what would be your dream job? Mine would be to run a rehabilitation center for people who are just displaced. Elderly, domestic abuse victims, young adults looking for purpose, if they need a place, I got one. I would love to have it on a farm. When I was young my pets were a huge aide in healing and I was never happier than when I was staying with my papaw on his horse farm. It would give tenants the chance to learn life skills that otherwise they’d never be exposed to. Throughout their stay they would be provided counseling and job skill training. We would have feedback. hahahaha seriously. It’s my dream.
Spanish Outreach:
While I was in Central America I picked up quite a bit of spanish. I’m no where near fluent, but I believe that a month or so with Rosetta Stone I could pick it up. I want to become fluent and start a Spanish Speaking Outreach. I don’t even know what that would look like, but I know that we neglect the immigrants and thats not okay.
Sailing Adventure:
While I was in Honduras I got this itch after my team leader got a word for me. It was an itch to sail. At the time I saw it as a cool thing to think about, but since then I haven’t been able to shake what a good experience it would be. I am pretty afraid of the ocean. Not the beach, but being on a boat in a tiny space on the ocean – makes me queasy just thinking about it. It would be an incredible discipleship opportunity and a further lesson on depending solely on God.
Counseling:
In 2012 my life was turned upside down, by a number of factors. One of my favorite factors was named Marilyn. Marilyn was my counselor. She helped me see the things in my life that weren’t working and she showed me what God wanted for me. She fought for my wholeness like I was her own daughter. (: One of my biggest passions is wholeness. I desire it so badly for the people around me. If I could choose a profession – this would be it.
“Cha! Cha! TeaCHA!”:
In Cambodia I was a teacher. I taught english to just about every age. While I was there I felt this crazy desire for something I had NEVER considered. EDUCATION. At some point I was looking at my class and I was overcome with purpose and meaning. I felt like I was important and I was making a difference. I thought about the teachers that really affected me (Margie, Ms. Harter, Mrs. Radaker, Mrs. McCambridge) and how many kids they had each year and how many lives they’ve impacted without even knowing it. HOW cool would that be!? What an extraordinary platform to touch lives!
Missions Pastor:
This is an idea that I got recently while I was creeping around Craigslist. It got me thinking about how I would make all of my ideas work together. This would enable me to set up a home base and still do missions and be able to direct funds to places that need it and send teams and keep up with the contacts I’ve already made. This is another DREAM!
Writing:
For as long as I can remember I’ve always loved writing. People always think, upon meeting me, that I am a verbal processor. FALSE. If I had to choose a label I’m in internal processor, but really I have no idea how I feel until I write about it. I’ve written many short stories and essays and blogs…I’ve been working on a book since 2012. But I’ve never seriously considered writing as a career, until now. This is something I could easily do along with my other dreams, but I don’t ever want it to take a backseat.
Backpack Europe:
The idea of traveling outside of the US has always been daunting to me, but now that I’m somewhat of a seasoned traveler, I feel more than capable. How this benefits the Kingdom, I don’t know yet. But I know it COULD. But really this is more just for me, I’d love to see all the places I’ve heard and read about. Visit the historical places, eat more weird food and smell the smells. I love to travel, I love seeing God in another perspective.
Music Man:
Also I’d really like to find a man who plays an instrument and write music and fall in love and stuff. (: But maybe I’ll ask God about it.
There are so many more, but these are the most prevalent on my mind. One thing I know is that God is in control. I don’t need to speculate. I just have to go where he sends me and trust that the doors he’s opening are good for me. (: I can’t wait.
