Today is January 1. The beginning of a new year, new beginnings and a beautiful year ahead. As many of my close family and friends know, 2016 was one of the hardest, if not the hardest year of my life thus far. My family happily kissed 2016 goodbye and rang in the New Year in Habana, Cuba. I am now sitting in the Miami airport waiting for my flight back to Colorado ready to bring on this New Year. I am wondering how I keep ending up in this airport, having spent hours here waiting on airplanes including spending last Jan 1 sleeping on the ground after missing my flight home. However I keep finding myself peacefully patient, with time to reflect and time to write down my thoughts.
Although I write about an hour each day in my journal, I am not used to typing or blogging so the start to this blog is new territory for me. I am not a great writer, but I love to share story’s and I love to share my thoughts so I don’t think I will have a problem coming up with any material, but bear with me as this blog is going to be as authentic and similar to my journal posts as possible.
I would love to write on my trip to Cuba, share some of my reflections and intentions for 2017 but I think my first post should be focused on my decision to go on the World Race. I heard about this program when I was a freshman in college from one of my best friends suggesting we do it together after we graduate. I thought the idea of traveling after college sounded glamorous, but not for a year and maybe around Europe. However attending a school that focuses on social justice and provides opportunities to learn about the world beyond our bubble, created curiosity and wonder about the people, cultures and life outside of L.A. This curiousity has always been present in my life, as I have found any chance to travel and see the world, including multiple service opportunities. But God began to speak to me more and more throughout college, a quiet voice in the back of my mind telling me to apply. So for the past few years I have spent countless hours watching World Race videos, reading blogs and learning about the work that God is doing all over the world. By the time I got to my junior year, I knew I needed to go. For the first time in my life I truly felt “called”. For a girl who loves to work hard, stay in perfect routine and have every next step planned out, this program seemed overwhelming, messy and out of my comfort zone. But for a girl who loves Jesus, has a passion for people and the world, and loves to be challenged, this program seemed perfect.
So next August I will leave for 11 months to travel to 11 different countries. I am scared, I am excited, and I feel absolutely honored that I get to graduate college and do exactly what I feel called to be doing. I wonder how many times I will find myself back on the airport floor next year, waiting and reflecting, moving from country to country to serve and spread God’s love. The airport has always been a comfortable place for me, but I can only imagine it as a new type of home or home base for me; a place where I end one transition, only to start a new. A place where every emotion is expressed and every walk of life are welcome to come and go. The airport is a place where many reflect and say goodbye to loved ones while saying hello to complete strangers. I look forward to making this my new normal, along with many other unexpected comforts. I can’t wait to keep writing and sharing the stories of all the people I meet and how God shows up throughout my travels. I am so grateful for this opportunity and the support I have received thus far and please please know that I appreciate every little gift of love, guidance, donation, and prayer, whatever it may be. Please keep reading and following me in my preparation for this adventure of a lifetime!
