Today my roommate and I went to REI. Rarely in my life have I felt more out of place. We walked in there with our UGG boots and long black jackets, and I’m pretty sure everyone in the store immediately judged.
We then strolled over to the packs, and said “That one’s cute”. Because that’s definitely what matters when it comes to something you’re living out of for a year. Luckily, our ignorance was like a flare light over our heads, and the nicest lady came over to rescue us. She kindly directed us to the Women’s packs, because obviously we were looking at the men’s. After that, she shoved a bunch of weights into one of the packs, and threw it onto my back and told me to walk around. My roommate and I then trekked around the store, and she was the best ever and carried all of my stuff for me, and only almost forgot it a few times.
It was really funny, because the lady at REI asked me why I needed all these things, and after telling her what I was doing she said that she remembered someone else coming in last year and shopping for something similar. It turns out that it was a guy from Madison who just got back from the World Race.
I walked into REI feeling completely overwhelmed by all of the things I needed to buy, not knowing anything about any of the stuff. But the Lord provided the nicest, most helpful lady I could have ever asked for. She spent close to 2 hours taking us all over the store, showing us tents and sleeping pads and sleeping bags, and packs, and packing cubs, and a dozen other things that I would need.
At the end of our 2 hours there, I walked out much more confident in what I would need for the World Race. I know the materials that I need, and I even have a sleeping bag now! It’s the greatest thing. It weighs 1 lb. ONE POUND. And squeezes into a bag the size of brown paper bag. I don’t understand how it’s possible, but I’ll take it.
Knowing what I need is such a reassuring feeling, but I know I’ll need to fork out a lot of money in order to be prepared. But I know that the Lord provides, and when I leave in July, I’ll no longer stick out like a sore thumb.
