I always imagined the world race would just be a highlight reel of incredible moments, adventures, and stories. and it has been, in some ways. but the highlights for me haven’t always been the photo worthy moments. They are the moments that I’ve laughed the hardest and lived the most authentically.
so here they are.
the real world race moments.
ones I will never forget. ever.
hiking up Montecristi in Ecuador. but it wasn’t really hiking. it was more like slip and sliding in 2 feet deep mud. covered head to toe. our host Percy walked across the mud like Jesus walked on water, he come out with not a stain.
going on fair rides in Portoviejo. specifically the dragon. we stood in a cage as the ride swung back and forth. Jake jumped as we reached the peak and ended up banging around inside the cage. I left the ride with many bruises. Maggie left with pee soaked pants.
the time in Thailand when we went to a church dedication and all ate bad meat and 12 of us had diarrhea all night, switching off who was in the bathroom every minute. laughing so hard when we were screaming at each other to get out because one of us was about to poop our pants (sacrificial love is giving up your toilet to let your friend have it, i see you grace venning)
making our way through thousands of people at the Sunday night market in Chiang Mai for the sole purpose of getting mixed berry smoothies and foot massages
standing on the roof of our hostel in Thailand as lanterns and fireworks lit up the new year. the moon was nearly full, and it was the brightest thing in the whole sky. a reminder that His creation is more radiant than anything else
getting lost on our way to a tiny lake in Battambang. riding nearly 45 minutes in the wrong direction. but eventually getting there and the water being that much more refreshing.
my team of 8 riding in a car with our host, his wife, his two daughters, Bailea, and whoever else we happened to pick up along the way (soccer team members, relatives, church friends)
combing out lice on Christmas day while watching Elf
going to the circus in Battambang and half expecting a Greatest Showman performance, but it actually was a story about a family that had to build a big house so their father would not be ill anymore. but then they took a rocket ship to space and floated around while their mother (possibly a ghost) swung around on a trapeze
finding out we had bed bugs for the second time at the end of Colombia. I cried as we wrapped everything we own in trash bags on the curb outside of our hostel.
one of our squad leaders spearing our house rat with a pocket knife. rest in peace, charles schwab.
going to the “Grand Canyon” in Thailand. it was really just a big hole with water in it, but we played all day on the inflatable water park. best birthday celebration ever.
recklessly jay-walking across the asian streets on the daily. four months in asia is long enough to realize that most of the time the cars and motos will stop for you… except when they don’t
singing Take Me Home, Country Roads every single day in Thailand. all of our thai friends loved it.
and sweating. all the time. for 6 months straight.
I love this life, truly.
It is full of so many unexpected turns and moments that seem nearly impossible until you are living in them. So take advantage of every second. Soak it all in. Each passing instant could become something you will remember forever. and trust me, you won’t want to miss it.
