Hm, it is hard to know where to start…
Well, first I’ll start by saying, welcome to my blog!
Gosh, I’ve spent the last two hours typing, erasing, typing erasing. I think it is easier for everyone if I just begin in May of 2017 after my college graduation. My Mom and I took a 57 day trip driving around the country for the summer in our van. It was an experience for sure! I won’t go into too much detail because I will easily get carried away but, all this to say that once we got back- I didn’t want to stop exploring. Shortly after returning home, I quickly felt the pressure of, “What are you going to do now?” “What do you want to do for the rest of your life?” Agh! I don’t know! All I knew was that I was not ready to settle down. My heart was still longing for adventure. So, I called my Grandpa who lives in Michigan and before I knew it, I had my truck packed and was on the road. No job, no plan, just kind of winging it. I told my family and friends that I was just going to check it out. My plan was to only be gone for three months. (I’m laughing as I am typing this because I’ve currently been in the “mitten state” for fifteen months). I’ll let you know that before this moment, I never liked doing anything on my own. Going to the movies, shopping, eating at a restaurant, etc. The fear of being alone hindered me so much that I closed myself in a box of “I’m comfortable,” and “what would people think,” got the best of me.
Fast forwarding a bit, I arrived in Michigan. My background in retail helped me get my foot in the door to working at Marshalls as a coordinator. Then, a good friend from high-school, who lived in Chicago told me about a job opportunity opening up around my area with the same company that she worked for. Soon after I had applied for this new position, I got the job working in a law office in their records department. Finally, a good job! So here I am, discovering what Michigan has to offer. I’ve got this great job, I’m meeting new people, found a church to attend, and then BAM! Change of plans, The World Race is calling. The WR had come up multiple times over the last few years but I was in school and pushed those thoughts aside. After graduation, the thought came across my mind again but I put myself in a box and said, “that’s TOO big.” “Thats TOO scary.” A fear of mine was being away from my friends and family. Eleven months? I wasn’t sure. “What if I get home sick?” “You’ve never been away from home that long.” Well, I didn’t have those excuses anymore. As I said earlier, I have now been in Michigan for little over a year. Its funny how people come into your lives. My friend from Chicago had introduced me to a girl in her small group who had done the WR a few years back. Talking with her about the race, she connected me with someone in Michigan who was also another WR alumni. Thank you Cindy and Megan for encouraging me to take a leap of faith!
It is hard to leave everything you know behind. But now, for a second time? Especially, after just having felt established after coming up here on a whim. This is where trusting the Lord comes into action. I believe that if God wants me to be a part of The World Race, then he will make a way. He will give me the tools, wisdom, clarity, and the right people in my path to pray for me as I prepare for this journey. This is an opportunity of a life time. I get to combine my passion for travel and my love for God into one. I’m excited to get the chance to explore different cultures and gain a better understanding of the world we live in. We are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus and I want to be able to share that journey with you guys! Just like I have been stretched from my comfort zone this past year being in Michigan, I’m praying this experience will be a spiritual growth beyond any measure. I hope to flourish abundantly in my Christian faith as I walk with God and see what doors he wants to open for me as I in trust Him. I hope that you will follow me on this mission and let me show you what the Lord will be unfolding in my life and the lives of others. It’s going to be WILD. A new year brings a new adventure.
