With just 5 days left until I board a plane to the good ole’ US of A I’m reminded of all these nine months have left me with.
They have been hard, heart wrenching, crazy, incredible, awarding, life giving, hectic, and mostly, so full of love.
I have learned who I am in the eyes of the Lord. What it means to be a believer and the joy that comes from that. How to handle a break down every two weeks. The beauty the Lord shows us in heart break. And the strength I possess I would have never in a million years found.
But, what I didn’t know coming on this race was what it would truly leave me with….
A few days ago one of my teammates asked me a question that has stuck with me ever since. She asked, “when you get home you’ll be able to tell people all about how the race changed you, but in 5-10 years those things will begin to fade, and in 20 years you’ll only remember maybe one or two things… so in twenty years what will your answer be when someone asks what you learned on the race?” I sat on this question for a minute thinking, well obviously I’m better with my emotions, I have patience I’ve never had before, my relationship with God is stronger, my communication is better, etc., but then i realized what this race has truly meant to me.
If it weren’t for the race I wouldn’t be a Christian.
If it weren’t for the race I wouldn’t have found my faith again.
If it weren’t for the race I wouldn’t have a relationship with Jesus.
Yes, this race has been the hardest nine months of my life, and there were definitely days I questioned why I did this to myself, but they’ve also been the most life giving and eye opening. Would I do it again? Hahaha ask me in a year and maybe I’ll say yes….
But,
If I didn’t say yes to The World Race and if I wouldn’t have listened to the path God was walking me down, I wouldn’t be the God fearing, strong, bold, unashamed, confident, woman I am now.
And that makes it all worth it.
So, as I pack my bag for the last time as a world racer I just want to say thank you to everyone who has supported my journey. To all the incredible friends I have cheering me on back home and the beautiful souls I met on this race I now get to call my best friends, to my family for their unfailing love, to my supporters who helped me get this far, and to the World Race leaders, mentors, and everyone in the background, thank you.
With all my love,
Carly
P.S. Texas, I’ll be seeing you June 7th!!!!
