Well friends, here it is December 5. I sit here typing this from my mother’s couch with my precious little beagle curled up next to me. Can you hear her snoring? Y’all, I’m finally home!
It’s surreal. It’s overwhelming. It’s wonderful.
What a year it’s been….
The World Race certainly had its share of frustrations and disappointments for me. But, it was also filled with plenty of blessings. And, with that, I learned A TON through it all! I feel like I could write a pretty lengthy book about all of the lessons I learned while traveling across the globe in just under eleven months. Here’s the abridged version:
- Coffee is amazing (I am, in fact, sipping some right now).
- I am now an expert at real life Frogger—crossing the street can be a little tricky overseas! Sometimes you just gotta hold your breath and go for it.
- I’m also a pro at entertaining myself on the longest travel days known to mankind. Did I ever mention that 71 hour bus ride we took to get across Kazakhstan? Yes, you read that right, SEVENTY-ONE HOURS! Only to be immediately followed by a 4 day cruise across the Caspian Sea via cargo ship… don’t try this at home, folks.
- I know how to say thank you in approximately 15 Languages…
- Parasites aren’t as bad as I thought they would be *though I still don’t recommend them*
- Green apples are a much safer bet than red in terms of crispness.
- I’m past my prime with box jumps. If you’d like to see some pics of the permanent hole I now have in my tibia, just ask! Shout-out to the Turkish man that witnessed one of the clumsiest, most painful moments of my life.
- The true definition of being a third wheel is sitting on the back of a motorcycle with 2 other people while one of them gets proposed to by the other.
- “Ma’am” and “Sir” don’t translate well. Instead, call everyone “friend” overseas; it works every time!
- Smiles are universal signs of kindness.
- Kids are kids! There really aren’t any cultural barriers with them.
- Prayer is fundamental, not supplemental.
- God knows what we need, when we need it. Trust him.
- When God tells you to do something, do it.
- This world is a beautiful place.
- People who don’t have Jesus are hungry for the Gospel, whether they realize it or not.
- God is in control.
- I repeat: God is in control!
And there’s plenty more where that came from!
To all of my faithful followers: I want to say thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Thank you for sending me. Thank you for supporting me. Thank you for sustaining me. You, yes YOU, were on this journey with me. None of this would have been possible without my army at home helping me along the way.
World Race Expedition 10/40 Window: that’s a wrap.
Now onto the next adventure…
