Hi friends!
I’m sorry I have been slacking a bit on my blogging, to be honest I haven’t felt inspired much to write. So I gathered some questions from people and I did a Q&A blog! Yay! If you have a question you think of please ask in the comment section below! I’d love to answer more.
Happy Reading!
- How did you decide to do the World Race?
The World Race wasn’t something that had been on my radar for years in advance like most people. I jumped on the bandwagon last minute and it’s still insane to think this has been my life for the past year! I finished college in 2017 and went to Alaska and worked there for the summer. My coworker Bri was going on The Race and that’s when it sparked the idea of actually going. I returned home after that summer, wasn’t sure what I wanted to do job-wise, got broken up with, and now here I am on the World Race! I applied a month late and they accepted me. It was a very fast decision and preparation for leaving but I managed! I wouldn’t trade any of it for the world, it’s been an incredible experience and I’m so thankful I chose to do it.
- What has been your favorite country so far?
This question is so hard because it could be my favorite for so many different reasons. Ministry, the culture, adventures, living conditions. Overall, one of my favorite countries would have to be Guatemala! The ministry was amazing, we worked at an orphanage and did manual labor projects to help prepare for children to live there. Even though we slept on the floor on sleeping pads all month, it was incredible. We lived right on a lake in a tree house-like building, we teamed up with some amazing people from Canada that sold all of their things and sailed to Guatemala because that’s what they felt the Lord telling them to do. Our ministry host was also the best, she was from Florida and sails to Guatemala & all over the world. The people we met made that month one of my favorites!
- When are you coming home?
I officially finish The World Race on December 2!! From there I go directly to St Maarten where my sweet momma is getting married (: I’ll spend two weeks there unwinding and relaxing and then return back to MN on December 17. I am so excited I cannot even contain myself, I’ve missed Minnesota more than I ever thought I would.
- What has been the most impactful moment? Or when have you felt the closest to God?
Hmm.. the most impactful moments on The Race have honestly been the ones that have been outside of ministry time for me. I like to seek ministry on my own, much of the time with my camera. It’s when I make connections with people through my artwork, showing them photos I’ve captured and seeing their faces light up, that are most impactful for me. It’s during those moments that I also feel closest to God, knowing that my talents can glorify Him and using them for that reason is so rewarding. I also wake up each morning before I start my day and write in my prayer journal. I just sit with God for about 10-15 minutes and pray whatever is on my heart. It’s really helped me stay consistent with my prayer and grown my connection with Him.
- What’s one of the scariest moments you’ve had on The Race?
Probably every time we get into a jam packed car or bus and I just get really really claustrophobic. Having mini panic attacks and trying to calm myself down in those moments are probably the most scary haha. I haven’t had many scary encounters or incidents on my Race which I’m super thankful for!
- If you could do The Race again, would you?
Nope. One year is plenty enough for me. I have absolutely enjoyed traveling and loving on people for the past year, and I can’t wait to use the things I’ve learned and experienced back home now! I am ready to stay put in MN for awhile.
- What’s a funny story you have from this year?
A funny story was losing my hydroflask on the public bus in Myanmar. My first team on The Race knew how common it was for me to leave my hydro in places so they always made sure I had it before leaving anywhere. And then team changes rolled around and one week into them, I lost my hydroflask. I was so sad but also had it coming for me considering how often I left it laying around. I even tried calling the bus line to see if they had it, but unfortunately I did not know the Burmese language.
- What’s your most embarrassing moment?
That one time in Côte d’Ivoire, Africa when I got really sick on my first month into The Race. I had my first squatty potty experience while my squad mate (whom I barely knew at the time) held my fluids bag outside the outhouse and I had the IV in my arm. While having diarrhea. In a squatty potty. In Africa. It was a humbling moment and may have shed a slight tear in the process.
- What’s your favorite food you’ve tried?
One of my favorites has been momo from Nepal! They make them with different types of meat (my favorite being buffalo) and they have the BEST spicy orange sauce that goes with it. Yummmmm.. I’m so excited to prepare some of my favorite dishes from the past year for my family when I return home!
- Who’s had the greatest impact on you?
My entire Squad family has impacted me in ways I never could have imagined. They’ve pushed me to be the best version of myself, they’ve called out some hard stuff, and they’ve loved me when I don’t deserve it. I can’t even begin to say how thankful I am for each and every one of them and come December I really don’t know how I’m going to leave the WR fam. They are incredible.
As far as people I’ve met along The Race, my ministry host from India has made the biggest mark on my life. Anita is a woman who goes after what she wants and she won’t let anyone stop her. She opened a school for children who weren’t accepted or deemed worthy enough to be in the public school system and so she did something about it. She welcomed us into her home with loving arms, cooked some amazing Indian dishes, and poured into us. It was just what I needed month 7 of my Race. I have her my key that I was given at the beginning of the Race that said “joy” and she is the perfect depiction of that. She radiates joy so effortlessly and she just is such an inspiration to me in all that she is.
Thank you for all of the questions to create this into a blog! If you have any more questions please feel free to comment below!
– a month 10 World Racer
