How I feel about leaving Chicago and Prayer Requests

 

On the plane:
I am legit crying as I write this on the plane to Atlanta, Georgia – the first stop to the world race. I’m just overwhelmed with gratitude when I think of this past year, and all the challenges I had to face to get here:

• Rasing at least $10K

• Gathering all the expensive packing supplies to take with me for 11 months

• Finding the money to pay for and get vaccinations

• Quit my job early, and struggle through renting a car while doing Uber and Lyft

• Figuring out what to do with all my stuff while I am gone, pack and move them out

• Planning 4 fundraiser events

• See as many people as I could before I leave

Many people had asked many times “How do you feel about leaving?”. Well since I’ve been focusing on that long list of things I needed to do, I had not had time to reflect on fears, excitement and other feelings. As you can see, I had to do a lot, but thankfully and amazingly I had so much support from so many people who believe in this cause and who believe I can do the work. There was so many people to help me get to where I am right now – even when I didn’t deserve it- and I am super grateful for everything! Thank you!

Now looking back, I still allowed the main things I had to do to get in the way of quality time my last day in Chicago. I regret not spending my last day with as much quality time and prayer as I could have with my family and roommate community. Instead I packed, cleaned, moved my room out of the house, had to figure out my last minute tablet donated to me, had to do some last minute world race training that I’m still not finished with, and during all that, all my close family and friends were in the same room as I wanting to be in my presence on my last day. To them, I want to say I’m sorry I was a hot mess, unprepared, unorganized, but thank you for loving me anyway and for still believing I can do this.

Now that I left, it has finally hit me. This entire year of 2018 was all me talking about how I will do this world race. And it didn’t hit me until now that I’m actually going to be gone for 11 months, in different cultures. How do I feel? I’m not scared, but I am nervous about being homesick. I love Chicago and all the family and friends that made me feel like I belonged there. I never left Chicago longer than one month: once in India and once in the Philippines. At the end of each trip, I was ready to go home. I came home, and I felt comfort and peace. This year it won’t happen like that, and as I reflect, I realize I really need prayers and encouragement right now. I regret not putting that first before and above anything else hours before leaving with my favorite people. But I learned it is never too late to pray and communicate. I am learning to trust God and surrender in this process.  I understand not everyone believes in God, or prays, and that’s totally okay. I never want to make you or anyone feel uncomfortable- but I also want to include and welcome you to be part of this journey with me. So define prayer as how you want to, but know that your words of encouragement mean so much to me and the many people you engage with. Thanks to all those who already sent me prayers and words of encouragement. It has been so helpful in the moment, has made such a big difference to me and has made me so happy!

Prayer Requests:
-Will you please pray for me that I do this trip for God and not for myself?

-Will you pray that my relationship with Him grows and that I learn to be His hands and feet and serve people in different cultures by loving, learning, understanding, and serving them by how they want to be served?

-That I become a productive catalyst that reaches others and helps people back home learn and be connected to others around the world?

-That through me being open and learning, an impact is made?

-That the right words come to my mind when needed, and relationships are built with locals?

-And at the right time I have something to offer at that moment to make the impact needed?

-Will you pray for me to be strong during the tough times, when I’m homesick or too culture shocked? That I learn to stay strong and I learn to let go, be still, listen, learn and enjoy each moment?

-Can you pray that my hope, positivity and faith stays strong?

-Can you pray for me and my relationship with my squad of 37 and my team of 6? That we support, encourage and love each other in the way God intended community to be?

-Can you also pray that somehow the last $8,700 is raised by the deadline of January to help me finish the race?

If I make any impact on this trip, I don’t want to give myself the credit, because it was all you who helped get me here, and it was all you who have impacted me in so many different ways. Through your giving, teaching, friendship, hospitality, humor, time spent with me either since birth or since I met you, it has made me the person I am today, and it has made me want to give back. If I make some kind of impact these next 11 months, just know it’s not me who did it, it’s God, because he sent me all of you who helped get me there and therefore it’s you who was part of the impact.

Thank you thank you in advance!!