Coming home nine months early is not what anyone anticipated. Within the 30 minutes of arriving in Fang at our ministry site in Thailand, the Fierce Five were told that we needed to get on the first bus to Chiang Mai as we were being evacuated.
As the world is grieving, we too are grieving. Yet in the midst of this all, there are unexpected blessings.
Prior to arriving in Thailand, Sweet Annie read words The Lord had given her for us this month. The words included, “Awake oh sleeper.” As well as a warning to not let the blessings, miracles, and mighty works of God go unnoticed.
Here you will read just a few of the unexpected blessings we have experienced individually and collectively since starting our jolting journey back to the United States.
Kylie –
*Alumni World Racers*
- There were alumni racers who rallied around us after we found out we were being brought back to America and pulled together money to cover our stay in an airbnb for 2 weeks so a group of us had a place to safely quarantine. They also brought us over tons of groceries to make sure we were fed. These alumni racers didn’t know us, they simply heard we were in need, and they jumped at the opportunity to serve us. I have felt so cared for in this transition back to the States.
*The change in time zones*
- Being back in the same time zone as my family has made it alot easier to pick up the phone and call them. I have been able to facetime my sisters much more than I was able to when I was overseas these last couple of months. I’ve noticed there are some days recently when my sisters and I will be on a facetime call for hours, doing our own thing, but simply having each other on the phone enjoying one another’s presence. 🙂
*Live stream services*
- This past week, we have tuned in to many live stream worship services, prayer sets, and sermons. Churches may have had to close down their buildings temporarily because of this virus, but we have been so blessed by these live streams. We have worshipped right here in our apartment living room, had communion with one another, gotten to process through Scripture, and it’s all been very sweet. We have been worshipping alongside those in other places around the country, whether it be people right down the street from us at UPPERROOM Dallas, those back in my Colorado Springs church, those in Georgia at Adventures In Missions, and more!
Caroline –
*Team dinner the last night*
- While most of us did not want to go out, Hannah encouraged us to find a place to eat where we could be alone as a team to share how God was working in our hearts during this transition. We found the most beautiful restaurant, unexpectedly, were able to debrief with each other, and ate cake!
*Flying on Qatar Airlines*
- We were served delicious food. I cheersed Mimosas with friends to celebrate the longest birthday of my life. We laughed, we slept, we had seats together!
*A home rearranged for quarantine*
- Social distancing and isolation is hard. My parents have helped me rearrange the upstairs to allow for as much communication as possible while keeping them at a healthy/safe distance from me.
*Zoom*
- We still get to have Team Time! A time where we encourage one another, speak with vulnerability and truth. We aren’t together, but Zoom allows us to see each other in real time.
Angelica –
*Two rooms + nature in my new quarantine Home*
- My blessing of a friend, Cody, is allowing me to quarantine in his extra bedroom/bathroom! His townhome is tucked in the woods with trails just down the block, and it’s right on the Chattahoochee River! The nature walks have been stunning, and there’s an extra room next to the spare bedroom where I workout and do my morning devotionals!
*Unexpected time*
- “I just haven’t had time” has previously been one of the most over-used phrases in my life. In these days, I have all the time in the world! This has led to the sweetest, intentional video and phone calls. It’s also given me space to focus on creative writing, the Word, worship, and prayer!
*The ability to rest and be still*
- With nowhere to go, and excessive alone time, I am able to literally “be still, and know that He is God.” I have the time to take a nap; to put my phone down and talk to the Lord. I have time to stop. I have time to slow down. These aren’t meaningless moments, they’re obedient moments.
*Appreciation of my surroundings*
- On a ride to the grocery store yesterday, I actually looked out the window and was awestruck at the architecture and design of the homes in surrounding neighborhoods. I noticed a church cross in the distance that towered above a vast array of trees. I stared at the pink colors dancing across the sky as the sun set. These were precious parts of my day that I would normally not even take the time to notice.
Hannah –
*My Parents*
- I am so grateful for my parents for letting me stay in their basement for my 14 day quarantine…and maybe for a bit longer! (We will see)! I haven’t really lived at home in almost 13 years – so it’s been amazing to do life with them (even from a healthy distance). My mom’s cooking is amazing and welcomed after a couple of months eating rice for almost every meal. It’s been nice helping my dad work on small projects around the house and putter in the yard. I haven’t spent this much time just being at home in a long time.
*An Actual Bed to Sleep In*
- After 2 months of sleeping in a tent or on the floor with a blow up pad, an actual bed feels DIVINE! It’s funny, because my family has teased me for years for being a diva sleeper. Before the race, I had a king size tempurpedic mattress. So our sleeping conditions on the race was quite an adjustment for me. Now, I am so thankful for the comforts of home and a good night’s rest.
*Time & Space to Rest, Relax and Reflect*
- Being home with the quarantine ordinances has made me realize that I have not slowed down in YEARS. I go from one thing to the next without spending time to slow down, process, and reflect. I am still working on changing gears, but I am spending more time than I ever have to simply “be.”
*Creating Life-Long Sustainable Habits*
- I have been creating a daily rhythm that includes reading my bible in the morning, working out and even taking an online course through Yale called The Science of Well-Being (it’s free for anyone interested)! I am still working on a better sleep routine, but what I am learning to do is to live a more sustainable life physically, mentally and spiritually.
*I’m Finally Starting My Online Business*
- Before the race, it was my intention to launch my business for online yoga from a Christian perspective by filming videos all over the world as we traveled. I got my yoga teacher certification over a 10 month period, formed my LLC, set up my business bank account, purchased insurance and even bought my website and designed the domain. However, I didn’t post the videos while we were on the race because I began to doubt myself and my ability. But now – I’ve realized I have nothing to lose! I’m finding that people need a way to find peace and calm – and connection to Jesus – more than they have ever before – so I’m going for it and letting the Lord do the rest! If you’re interested, check out my site and sign up to get email updates at www.highriseyoga.org ! 🙂
Annie –
*Finding Blessings in the “Ordinary”*
- Since being out of the country for a little while, things that I used to take for granted have become that much sweeter. The ability to drink straight from the tap, access to a shower that is both hot and cold, access to a washer and dryer at any time I decide to use it, a dishwasher, wifi, and so many others. Most importantly, the freedom I have to worship and share about Jesus whenever and however I want. That is the greatest blessing of all.
*Making it Home*
- Our squad and many other Adventures in Missions missionaries made it home at just the right time. Many Americans and other missionaries are not able to fly home now due to borders closing and travel restrictions. Praise God for AIM’s wisdom and for His perfect timing.
*A God-Given Community*
- I am coming home with 30 new best friends to walk through this unprecedented time with. I praise God for Fierce Five and the way we champion each other, hold each other accountable and laugh with each other when that is what we need. The Lord sure knew what He was doing when He gave me them.
These were just a few of the many, many things that we have seen as God’s sweet blessings upon us over the last week or so. I would encourage you too to take some time to write out some of the blessings you are experiencing in these wild days we are all walking through!
FIERCE FIVE (from left to right) – Hannah, Caroline, Me, Annie, Angelica
Also – This pic was from our final day in Chiang Mai, Thailand – another unexpected blessing we were able to experience together was spending our last day playing with elephants in an elephant sanctuary!! 🙂
