whats up!! this is my first official blog post (eep!) I’m super excited to share this journey with all you guys, but I bet you have a whole bunch of questions.
– what is the world race? if you click on the drop box to the left you can learn all about it. plus, I’ll probably do a q&a soon.
– who is this girl? you most likely know me, but if not, click the about me tab! whether you are my best friend or have only met me once, I’m so glad you’re reading this. we can now officially be bffs.
– how can I help? PRAY!! praying is the most important. if you want to do more and donate, you can click that super fun orange button too.
– why the world race? you came to the right place! Here’s a bit of my story and heart behind why I’m going:
4 years ago, after reading a blog post I found on Facebook, I constantly found myself silently dreaming of going on Gap Year. The thought that I’d be going to 3 different countries to serve people for Jesus absolutely blew my mind. I even remember sitting in my sophomore geometry class writing down why I wanted to go on the Race and how I felt so restless here.
Fast-forward to second semester junior year, I didn’t know what I was supposed to do. Every time I’d think I should go then I’d talk myself out of it with thoughts like, “what about when I get sick?? what if I miss my family too much? what if my team hates me?” My little dream felt like it was slipping away and I felt so directionless. I was powered solely by what ifs. At that point I’d given up and was pretty positive I’d just go to Liberty, get a degree, and live a normal life.
Around December, I decided to go on a 2 week Ambassador trip with Adventures in Missions. I worked hard to raise my money, and finally was off to Guatemala! On the first night of training camp (not even in Guatemala yet lol), we were asked what we wanted to get out of the trip. My response was the word “clarity”. My team committed to walking with me through the confusion and clarity and I began to pray hard.
After a couple days at TC, We left at 12:30 in the morning. Naturally, I took a nap around 12. Before my nap I wrote my prayer out. It said, “God, Thank you for your one confirmation but I am still so confused about the World Race. Give me a sign I can no longer turn away from.” I woke up at 12:30 and sleepily walked up the giant hill looking for my team. I saw some people laying on the ground and walked over to hang out with my team. I said something probably extremely embarrassing before realizing it was in fact not my team. I gasped, apologized, and began to turn around. One of the guys laying down said, “wait! whats your instagram? we’ve been watching you all weekend and keep thinking how you just look like a racer. have you thought about doing it? because we went and think you should totally go. you’re definitely cut out for it.”
“WHAT. you’re kidding. there’s no way God just answered my prayer like that. I wasn’t even barely awake yet? oh my gosh?!! do I go?? this is it. this is the confirmation. this is my clarity?!” my brain was truly racing. so, I sat with them. I told them my story and my fears and apprehension of going. and we talked. we talked about everything world race and I stood up knowing I had to go. that was it. I told my team and they freaked out! They were so excited and shared in celebration with me.
Whew. That’s just ONE of the confirmations I got. There are at least 3 more stories of ways Jesus has worked and my mind will never not be blown about it. So, I applied and here I am. I’m a little scared, a lot excited, a tiny bit stressed, and wondering what this next year of fundraising, serving, and learning will bring me.
so.
I begin the journey. sounds cheesy, I know. but seriously. I started this amazingly daunting yet truly joyful journey the moment I put my life in Jesus’ hands and wherever it will take me, I’m there.
If this is where it takes me. on the world race. then. well.
I will go.
