Gosh, it’s been a hot minute on this blog!
I do not even know where to begin! I’ve started to type and then I find my fingers stopping and then closing my computer. Usually I’m not one for lack of words, but goodness, they have seemed hard to come by when it comes to tying up this blog with a pretty little bow. I guess that was just it though, I was trying to find the perfect bow, but you know, there really isn’t a perfect bow to be found and I’m okay with that because there’s so many emotions and thoughts flooding me as I write this.
I’ve been back in America since December 21st. . It’s weird to type that out because life looks so vastly different then the journey you, my friends and family, have walked with me on as you followed my time on the World Race. Not a bad different, just VERY DIFFERENT!
I came home just in time to spend Christmas in Florida with my family and back in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to ring in the new year!
It snowed for the first time this past week since I’ve been back in Tennessee…
The snow melted just as quickly as it came. Just like that, it was gone. Magical but just gone. Much like the race. It feels like a dream, blimp of time in the life of Lauren Kelly. I often think back and ask myself, “Did this really happen?” It went by so fast. Like I literally blinked and it was over. Time on the race is such a weird concept. Like for a moment life around you as you knew it just stops and you say a yes and you walk out into a calling, live it, breathe it, living purposefully, immerse yourself in it, and then it’s just over. I miss it every single day!
That’s just it, the calling is never ever over. I am forever grateful for the yes I made in taking a pause and stepping out into the great unknown, into 13 different countries (wow) and now as I sit back and reflect at the person I am today versus the person I was before I left, I’m in awe. I’m in awe at the author who created and opened the door and gave me the calling and in awe at YOU, the friends and family who walked along side me and made it happen by your monetary generosity and above all else, your prayers and encouragement every step of the way. My heart truly cannot thank you enough!! From the bottom of my heart you will never ever begin to know how much it meant to me!!! It gave me the chance of a life time to walk out kingdom living abroad.
Now I find myself beginning to seek the Lord what that kingdom living looks like stateside as I know he is going to define that and orchestrate it in such a beautiful way.
So I guess this is my last thank you to ALL of you. I am adjusting, working, settling back in to my community here in Tennessee, asking for your continued prayers as I seek the Lord with what’s next!
The race wasn’t the end. The best is yet to come!!
All my love,
Lauren
