Change of Plans
After much prayer, discernment, and guidance from wise counsel, I have decided to withdraw from the World Race at this time.
This was not an easy decision, as these are not easy times. Above and beyond the COVID concerns and international politics at play, two of the major deciding factors for me to apply for the Race in the first place have changed:
- Career Pursuits – I initially applied while in grad school, thinking I would take a break between graduating and pursuing my career as a therapist to go on this adventure that would surely lend that much more perspective to my professional practice. Before hearing the final decision for what was to become of our route this October, I was offered the chance to interview for a position as a pre-licensed clinical fellow at The Briggs Institute. Students do not apply and are instead approached about potentially joining the Institute to practice therapy and work towards licensure after completing Lipscomb’s graduate Marriage and Family Therapy program. This was a major honor and opportunity and helped to lend Peace to my decision to stay.
- Relationship Status – When I applied, I had no intentions of finding the love of my life. That has now changed. She has been great and is even willing, and was prepared from the beginning, to endure the 11 months apart. Now, though, with things being delayed and still up in the air for a later launch, I feel it is best for me to take the nourishment and maintenance of this amazing relationship into account and shift my focus to nurturing and pouring into it more than I would be able to while on the Race.
I also initially joined in order to test myself and my faith (reasons for which I also joined the military), and feel that this year alone has already tested both. I joined in order to stretch and grow my faith, and feel that I have experienced as much within the last two years of my grad school program. I joined in order to see the world and have amazing experiences, but I now cannot imagine having those experiences without Alyssa. I joined to expose myself to new cultures and people, and know there is much work that I can do to that end even here in the states.
Thank you all for the support, prayers, and encouragement you’ve given me along the way! Even though I will not be going on the route I signed up for (but maybe I will at some point in the future!), I have already been challenged, transformed, and forced to rely on others and Powers outside of myself just for having been accepted.
To my donors, my hope is that you will understand this decision and know that I do not make it lightly. I have never been a quitter and take my commitments seriously. Were we not in the midst of a global pandemic and I did not have the option to withdraw, please know that I would be following through and launching in October as planned. That being said, you are welcome to call 800-881-2461 (ask for donor relations) if you want to request a refund for your donation. If not, the money will still go to the organization and you will still play a role in carrying missions out across the globe! I will work to reach out to each of you who donated significant amounts in order to confirm your options and decision, but please feel free to reach out first if you have questions or concerns.
IMPORTANT: Please note that only those who donated directly to the organization through the “Donate” tab on this blog, by check, or other means are eligible for reimbursement.
**If you donated a significant sum through Facebook or to me directly, please reach out to me to discuss possible reimbursement options as those funds went to additional costs outside of my total fundraising goal for the trip itself.**
What’s Next?
As I mentioned earlier, I am excited to announce I am officially taking on new clients as a pre-licensed clinical fellow (M.MFT) at The Briggs Institute, Inc. in Nashville, Tennessee! I will be working here for the next two years or so as I work to earn my hours and take my test to become a fully licensed therapist. I may not be taking the gospel “INTO ALL THE WORLD” in the same way I thought I would be, but I am excited for the opportunity to show others the Love of Jesus by sitting with them in the midst of their struggles.
I will continue to work and grow and stretch and challenge myself, and hope to continue to earn your respect and support moving forward. Thank you, again, so much for everything. Know that you have played an active role in shaping me and who I am continually becoming!
God Bless,
