This girl’s been with me since day one, even with bad hair!
El Salvador, Month One:
I am not better than any other person.
Guatemala, Month Two:
I learned I was a bully and I began the process to forgive myself.
Honduras, Month Three:
I learned how I would want to treat my brother if I got a re-do.
Nicaragua, Month Four:
I learned to hold tight to God and even tighter to the machette in my life.
Côte d’Ivoire, Month Five:
I learned that not being able to speak the local language is incredibly hard. I also learned how to serve from the heart without any ulterior motives.
Ghana, Month Six:
I learned that I am capable of teaching the Bible, and it’s not as scary as it seems.
Nepal, Month Seven:
I learned that I am not in control of my emotions.
India, Month Eight:
I learned my wildest dreams can become a reality.
Thailand, Month Nine:
I learned that it’s okay to focus on yourself.
Malaysia, Month Ten:
Month one, I promised myself I would say ‘Yes’ to everything that came my way. To use each moment as a challenge. I learned I can teach piano, even if I am not as good as I once was.
Indonesia, Month Eleven:
I learned what ministry by myself, away from my World Race community can look like.
V-Squad- Bali, Indonesia.
America, Month Twelve:
I am home! Back in Naperville and enjoying connecting with family and friends. I am working on resting at home while still staying connected to all I have learned over the last year.
So whats next?
In past blogs I’ve talked about how much I love photography, and that I would love to make it a career. So that’s my plan! I am going to continue practicing, by partnering with local photographers to learn from them. The longterm dream would be to become a travel photographer, going around the world to share stories and culture.
I will also be looking to get a job at a coffee shop, probably Starbucks because Naperville doesn’t have any cute coffee shops!?! (this is a serious problem in my opinion) I’m really excited to learn more about a drink that not only tastes great but has the ability to bring people together, even if they don’t like the coffee. Who knows maybe I could photograph small coffee plantations around the world or even open up a coffee shop.
I received my degree in elementary education, I worked as a reading and math interventionist for the spring semester of 2017 before going on the race. As of right now, I’m not sure if teaching is in my future. I absolutely love teaching, learning and spending time with kids so I’m going to sub in the district I grew up in. This allows me to stay in the school while deciding if I should pursue teaching in the future.
Yesterday I was asked if the travel bug had left my system?
– No, it hasn’t! I still want to go everywhere and anywhere, I want to be in awe of the world and the home God has gifted us. He took the time to design earth as it is, so I want to take the time to appreciate earth to the fullest capacity. Right now I don’t have any travel plans other than visiting family, but I am always looking.
A great way to keep up with me and see what I am doing is through social media. Facebook and Instagram, you can search my name on both and they will pop up. I will also be launching a website VERY soon. I have created this site to display my photographs and tell about the stories behind the photo. I will be sharing the link through social media when it is published.
****If you would like to be added to an email update once my website goes live, please comment on this blog. ****
Please continue to pray for V-squad and myself as we adjust to life back at home and preparing for what is next. Thank you for all the words of encouragement and prayers you have provided over the last year. The World Race was one of the hardest years of my life but also the most rewarding. If I had the chance to do it again I would in a heartbeat, even knowing how much growth I would go through.
This is my last blog, thank you for all who have walked on this journey with me. I hope and pray you have learned something from me as I’ve traveled around the Kingdom of God. I hope you were as moved as I was as I met new people and witnessed the power of God this past year.
Love,
Emma
