I have 12 days left of this amazing trip! Its hard to believe that it’s been 11 months because it seems just last month I stepped foot in Guatemala. I have learned so much and have had hard times and fantastic times. But since arriving in the Philippines I know that I am ready to come home. I’m excited to see family and friends! Im excited for what I’ve learned on this trip to take into my life at home.
This will probably be my last post and I been wanting to write a post to you all about me coming home. I ran across this article where some of it I felt applied to me.
I have no idea how I’m going to feel being back in America. I have no idea how I’m going to react but I do know that I’m a different person. I also remember coming home from Ethiopia in 2016, I remember feeling like people didn’t understand the excitement of my trip like I felt and the stories I had to share.
When I come home I want to ask you all to give me patience and grace, I will give patience and grace in return as well. This is also why I’m so greatly blessed to have had my parents come to Thailand to get a taste of what I’ve been up to so that they have an idea of the excitements and hard times I have felt along the way. You don’t need to be this missionary or world traveler to understand what I’m trying to say but there are somethings I would like to ask of you.
Please don’t ask me “how was your trip?” These 11 months was my life, I feel like it would be better to ask specific questions such as asking me about people I’ve met, what was hard, what was some of my favorite moments, or asking me about the teams I have been on and worked with.
Asking “what’s next?” I know that we live in a society that we plan things, trust me I know that. Im pretty sure before the race, the app I used most on my phone was my calendar because I always wanted to make sure I knew what was going on and being organized. Other questions would be to ask me is what God is teaching me in regards to being home, or what have I learned on the race that I want to bring into my lifestyle when I’m back, or how my view of the world has changed.
One big question that I do feel would be beneficial is asking me what I need prayer for. I have learned a lot about prayer and spending the month in Malaysia at the International House of Prayer, it’s the best form of support one can get and provide for one another.
This is isn’t much but it’s just examples and different ideas. I won’t be upset if either of these questions are asked like I said, theres grace and sometimes we don’t truly understand another’s experience or thoughts and that’s ok. But I am very excited to share pictures, videos and stories about each country that I’ve been in. Along the race I had the thought that this could totally be my life forever, visiting and helping and meeting Christians and spreading the good news, but also learning how to implement that into my life where I come from.
Cant wait to see you all so soon! Love you all!
