I feel like I’ve just began to wrap my brain around the fact that we are half-way through the race. In reality, that was over a month ago, and it is closer than two-thirds done!
My parents came for a visit in India a few weeks ago for our Parent Vision Trip, and it was during this time that I was really able to process all that I have experienced and see things for what they really have been.
One of my biggest fears in coming on the World Race was that I would not change. Sure, I knew that my circumstances would change me a little bit. Anyone who has traveled anywhere knows that it is difficult to see the world, see different people, experience new cultures, and not change. ?
But thats not the change that my heart desired. I desire change that only comes through the power of Jesus transforming my heart. For 7 months, I questioned if I was any different. I didn’t want to spend 11 months of my life on this trip, to only return home and be the same person that I was before I left.
So yeah, I was beyond excited to see my parents, but I had so much fear that they would see me as the same person as I was before I left. I think that deep in my heart, I knew that I had changed, but I had allowed the lies of the Enemy to seep into my heart and cloud the things that I knew to be true.
The time spent with Mom and Dad was so so sweet. We laughed together, cried together, had adventures, ate with our hands, and went deeper with Jesus as a family. And it was during this time that I actually began to process the past 7 months even more and see them for what they have been.
I walked into the World Race a broken mess. Somehow, I kind of missed that, even when I was in the midst of it. I just thought I was sad and a bit homesick. But as I really look back, those first five months or so were months of brokenness. Each day was a struggle, and I really was not myself. But as the days, weeks, and months went by, my heart began to change.
As I reflect, I can see how God brought me through that place of brokenness to rely on Him even more. Initially, I thought that that lesson had been learned through fundraising and the whole process of being accepted as a participant, but I know now that reliance on Jesus is a journey more than it is a lesson. And I am still daily on that journey. But as I think about where I have been, I have seen how God has brought me from a place of shaky faith, to one that is so much more deeply rooted in Him.
Now I look at myself and say, “Yes, I have changed”. God has built up the brokenness into a deeper strength that is founded on Him. As He changes me, I am becoming more of myself and who I was meant to be.
Now, flights have been purchased, and its really starting to sink in that I am only a few short months away from being a world race alumni. Although this saddens my heart, I am also so thankful for the journey that God has brought me on, and that its not over yet! Each day is another chance to soak in all that He is doing, all this crazy world has to offer, and be overwhelmed with the fact that I get to take part in all of it.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
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Thank you, thank you, thank you for all your words of support and prayers. Our God is so good through out all that He has been doing. Thank also, once again, for supporting me financially in this endeavor. God has used you in incredible ways to bless my heart. If you still have a desire to give, there are several people on my squad who are in major need of funding with possibility of having to be sent home early. But, I don’t believe that this is what is meant for them, so please pray and consider donating to one of their WR accounts. Thank you!
Kirsty Marshall – http://kirstymarshall.theworldrace.org/
Mariah Dunkin – http://mariahdunkin.theworldrace.org/
Emily Burwell – http://emilyburwell.theworldrace.org/
Dacey Hassey – http://daceyhassey.theworldrace.org/
Todd Brannen – http://toddbrannen.theworldrace.org/
Greg Hall – http://greghall.theworldrace.org/
Dana Karpinski – http://danakarpinski.theworldrace.org/
Jake Mizner – http://jakemizner.theworldrace.org/
Lauren Doyle – http://laurendoyle.theworldrace.org/
Ari Beel – http://arianabeel.theworldrace.org/
Tabitha Turner – http://tabithaturner.theworldrace.org/
