Never ever in a million years did I think I would be going on a trip like this. I have never even left the country before! I remember hearing about Gap Year this time last year, I thought it was terrifying. I told myself I could never do something like that. Over the summer, I began working at a little restaurant called Chicken Salad Chick. One of my shift leaders, Morgan started talking about her World Race trip. She was talking about all the experiences she had while she was away and how God had changed her life. I didn’t think much of it. Then, I became a Wednesday night worship leader. I met a few other new leaders and I got to know them some. One day at a rehearsal I was feeling extra beat down and stressed out. I felt like I was on the brink of tears and I really tried to hold it back and just get through the day. Our youth pastor, Tyler, looked at me and simply asked if I was okay. That was it. I sprinted to the bathroom to try to calm down before I had my meltdown. But, alas, I just exploded. I couldn’t stop the tears and I was shaking so hard my body ached. My friend Stephanie, that has always been there since high school, had been hanging out at the rehearsal and came into the bathroom to check on me. I couldn’t even bring myself to speak. She just held me and let me cry it all out. I had been so stressed out over school and working and leading that I hadn’t even been taking care of myself. Stephanie is a person who always tries to give the perfect words of wisdom, but this time she knew she didn’t have to say anything. After Stephanie helped me calm down and clean up we walked back out to the rehearsal. We sat and spoke with Tyler and another band member, Alex. The conversation turned back to the World Race. It was coming up every time I turned around. I finally just decided to apply and see what would happen. During my interview, I felt so at ease and opened up so quickly. Which was strange because I have never been one for words and open discussions like that. I cried when I got acceptance. I cried tears of happiness and tears of fear. I don’t know what to expect. I do know that this is a giant step and I have to trust God for what is next.
