As most of you know I am boarding a plane tonight at 11:55 headed to America. This is honestly so crazy! I have no idea what emotions I’m feeling. If I can describe it the best way that’s probably BITTERSWEET. I’m leaving the family I’ve known for basically nine months. I’ve had my people with me through the thick and thin. But now I’m headed to the family I’ve always known, who have always been my safe haven. I get to go back to bonfires with friends, home cooked meals that I have so dearly missed, Saturdays full of soccer games, the love inside both of my grandparent’s houses, Koji Japanese runs, and so much much more. All of these things make me happy but also kinda terrify me. I’m afraid to go back home and long to be somewhere else. I’m afraid to pour my heart out to eyes quickly glazed over. I’m afraid to not fit into the same places that now feel uncomfortable.
On the World Race it was easy to “be where my feet were” most of the time, but now my heart is in so many places and with so many more people. I felt this same pain leaving Honduras countless times. One of my favorite quotes is, “You will never be completely at home again, because part of your heart will always be elsewhere. This is the price you pay for the richness of loving and knowing people in more than one place.” I believe this is so applicable for me and everyone on the race right now. We have loved and boy have we loved hard which makes it hardest to say goodbye. But I wouldn’t change it for the world!
Yes, there were some times when I was frustrated, hurt, or overwhelmed, but the Lord showed me so much through those times. He held me, loved me, and helped me learn to hear His voice! This is probably my most prized lesson from the race to look at where I was at training camp and even until Zimbabwe and see how intimate our relationship has developed. I can hold Him closely my whole life, and He will provide all the things I need through my circumstances. He is good, and He is LOVE! That will never change. He is constant and STEADFAST, and I see Him building that in me each day. He is today, yesterday, and tomorrow. He holds my future no matter how nervous I am to start college in 16 days! What I have learned and felt over these last nine months has changed me, shown me my place, and grown the size of my heart, which I didn’t think was possible. But here I am at the end of this race but definitely starting a new one. I can’t say I’m ready emotionally for it, but I know how sweet this season will be with so many people that I already have in my life and new friends I have yet to meet.
I want to thank each and every one of you for praying for me throughout this time. You encouraged me when I was so sick in Zambia. You wished me happy birthday on one of the most difficult birthdays I’ve had. You loved my students as I did. Thank you for helping me get to where I am and never leaving my thoughts and mind. If you’re reading this, you’ve impacted my life in some way so thank you. I hope that as I come home I can continue to be a light and encouragement for your life.
If anyone wants to hear about the adventures of the race let me know, and we can meet up! I heard there’s a new coffee shop in Jackson that I need to try. I will have about two weeks mostly at home after I return, and I will be home on most weekends. After that, come to Georgia Tech, and I’ll meet you in downtown Atlanta! Thank you again for everything, and I will see you very very soon! wild…
Here are some of my favorite photos to recap my last nine months on the Race:
