Let’s just get it out in the open. I’m nervous. I’m nervous about blogging; it’s sentence number three, and I already feel exposed to the Internet world. I’m nervous about living for eleven months without my curling iron (channeling my inner Farrah Fawcett is a common goal). The thought of leaving my family is both sad and terrifying… but my main fear lies in not answering the call that the Lord has laid on my heart in the past year.
The story behind that call is one that could only have been scripted by the Father. I had heard about this thing called The World Race, but my realm of thought had never passed simple interest. Fast forward to summer 2010: I’m living in Pasadena, CA with my big brother, Adam. We spend the day with Colleen & Danny Gutman and Sarah Burrows (who happens to be my future sis-in-law… see cute couple inserted to the right). I hear stories of trips to the market, orphans who melt hearts, whirlwind traveling days, and friendships still going strong years later…. all thanks to being teammates on The World Race.
These stories keep swimming in my mind. That night, I visit the website, and I’m hooked. I stay up for hours reading, crying, then reading and crying some more. I undoubtedly feel the presence of the Spirit, and I know: I am supposed to go. I need to go.
Over the course of the next few weeks, I begin to share my latest revelation with friends and family. This is the overwhelming response when I mention The World Race: “Is that a TV show?” No lie. As soon as I explain what TWR really is, I receive incredible support and encouragement. This leads me to where I am now, over a year later, still sure that this trip is what God has in store for the next season of my life. Even though I’m sad about leaving these great friends for 11 months (see Rachel, Courtney, Lindsey, and Kelsey chuckling below)… I can’t wait to start the adventure and share stories along the way.
