Time on the Race is still an anomaly I have yet to figure out. As we have rounded out the end of these 11 months, the days seem to slip by me without even acknowledging the way I’m grasping at them to stay. Yet, here I am. Today is day 318 of 320. I don’t know where the time went, while I can tell hundreds of stories of how it was spent. My mentor (and now real life friend) recently told me that I will begin a new season the way I ended the last. Thankfully, I’ve had the last 30 ish days to figure out how I am ending the World Race and who I am as I move forward.
Since many of you may not recognize the woman coming home, I’d like to take this time to introduce her to you.
Her name is Allina, but these days more often goes by Lina. She is 24 years old, but at times can act like shes 75. She will still gush over a good book, but now reads for adventure, not to escape her own fears. Writing poetry still gives life to her soul, but I believe you’ll hear a different tune. She has a calling toward leadership, but has ditched the control. Still give her grace, it’s a work in progress. She still loves a glass of wine, but not the girl you remember from the bar. Lina is still a mess, but she is a self-aware, humble mess. She will cry, expect it and let it happen. It needs to happen. She is still mourning and processing all she has witnessed, done, and loved this year. She loves you. Even when it seems like she is more excited to see her dog (which she is very excited about), she cherishes you and your friendship. While she wants to tell you all about her last year, she also wants to hear about yours! The Lina you knew and loved is still here, she just looks a little bit more like the woman she was created to be. She strives after the Father’s heart and her mission is for Kingdom. She talks to the Holy Spirit and knows how strange that may sound, ask her about it! Her Myers-Briggs is ENFJ, but she is more introverted than she will let on. She still sleeps for hours, yet knows the joy of mornings with her heavenly Father.
All this is to say, the Allina who left on the World Race is not the woman returning in two days. You’ll see the difference. My only ask is that give her grace and a chance to show you the new and refined. I like to think it’ll be worth it. I mean, I like her.
with love,
Lina
