34. That’s the number of sleeps until I get to snuggle my brothers and sisters. It’s the number of possibly cold showers until I’m home free with guaranteed hot water. It’s the number of times I will cry when I think about leaving behind what has become my norm. It’s the number of hallelujahs I will proclaim when I think back on all that God has done in my life this year.
34 days until I’m home. And I’m thinking more and more about how weird and great and hard and terrifying and wonderful it will be. I only have 34 more days with my WR family, some of the best friends I’ve ever had. I only have 34 more opportunities to “press in” and extract every drop of goodness out of my people and this experience. 34 more days to say yes to God before I’m inundated with all things America.
I’m terrified and more excited than I can say. It’s a weird mixture of feelings, let me tell you. I don’t know what I’ll need from you. I don’t now how I’ll respond to being back in America after having lived in 11 different countries for a year. I don’t know if I’ll be well-adjusted, or if I’ll have meltdowns every day.
I’m doing so much to prepare to come home! I hope that you’re doing some preparing too. We’ve spent a LOT of time apart this year, and with that, we’ve missed a lot in each other’s lives. I want you to be able to connect with me as I share about all the ways God’s shaped and transformed me this year. And I want to hear about all the ways you’ve grown and changed too.
I adapted this blog from Britney Meyer, a former racer who said it all. So without further adieu, here are 11 ways you can help me as I transition home.
- Welcome me home! Meet me at the airport with a sign! (Well, maybe not the airport since I’ll be in Miami, and then driving home after family vacay!) When you see me, give me a big hug and tell me how much you’ve missed me. I’ve missed you and am excited to see you and I’m sure you’re feeling the same way. Let me know!
- Reverse culture shock is real. Have patience and grace. I’ve been gone for 11 months and have had to continually adjust to new cultures and environments. I’ve been constantly surrounded by 5+ other teammates, lived in uncomfortable living environments and mastered living on $5/day for food. I’m used to being surrounded by people who don’t speak English and who constantly gawk at me wherever I go. I’ve heard re-entry stories about people who have broken down crying in the salad dressing aisle at the grocery store because there were so many options (I have not had many salad dressing options, let alone a good salad in months). Don’t make me feel ridiculous for feeling overwhelmed. Re-entry home is month 12 for me and it will require time to re-adjust to the norms of my native environment.
- Ask specific questions. Don’t be afraid to ask about my year, but try to ask more specific questions than “How was your trip?” It’s hard and overwhelming to try and summarize a whole year’s experience in one sentence or with one question. Ask questions like “What did you learn when you were in Thailand, or in month 7?”, “How have you grown from month 1 to month 11?”, “Did you have a favorite ministry?” or “What was the craziest thing you ate?” Specific questions will help me share my experiences with you in more depth.
- I want to know about you!!! I wants to hear about your life! I’m not the only one who has grown over the last year and experienced new things. Tell me what has gone on and how you’ve changed and grown. How has the Lord been working in you? I truly care about your life back in the States and I will work hard to ask specific questions too
- Don’t panic if I am struggling being in America. I may struggle being back in America for awhile, but don’t take it personally or be offended. I have grown a lot over the year and want to be that person back at home, but I will be returning to an old environment. It’s going to take time for to adjust. AND a lot of grace. I will need to grieve losing the World Race and the life that has become my norm. The World Race was more than a fun vacation or mission trip. It was a transformative year and one that will be a big part of my story forever. My squad has become a close family over the year and when we arrive home I will be losing that. Losing that community will be hard because it’s very different from the community back home. Allow the time and space for me to mourn and please don’t tell me to just “get over it” or “move on”. Also please don’t be hurt that I’ve made friends. There is enough room in my heart for them and you, and I still love you as much as I did when I left!
- Invite me. I have been out of my social circle and neighborhood for almost a year. I’ve been able to keep up to an extent, but there is a lot that I haven’t been able to stay up to date with. Invite me to things because more than likely I want to be a part of it. Even if you don’t know if I can make it, invite me. Reach out to me and include me in your community. Community was very important on the race and I will be missing it upon return. (Invite me! And if I say “no” once or twice or even three times, don’t give up. I’m figuring this all out as I go!)
- Go on spontaneous adventures with me. I have learned to seek and enjoy both big and small adventures. Maybe you’re planning a camping trip or a road trip, invite me. Maybe you want to make a late night run to the local ice cream shop or Chick-fil-A, invite me. Most likely I will be up for the adventure and spontaneity. That’s been my life for the last 11 months.
- Encourage the change you see. I has grown and matured throughout the year, just as you have. You may notice that I am more confident or handle situations in a different manner than I did before the Race. When you see a good difference or a good change in behavior, say something! Let me know how I’ve grown and that you’ve noticed. Often times it’s hard to see how one has changed, so vocalize it! It’ll mean a lot to me.
- Encourage rest. It’s been 11 months of growth, challenge and being uncomfortable. I have been pushed physically, spiritually and mentally and need time to rest and process the year. Help me process by encouraging me to spend time reflecting on the year. Pray with and for me. Quality time is important. Ask about and listen to me when I share my experiences. Follow-up with me and ask how I’m doing, try to go beyond surface level conversation.
- Don’t put pressure on my future plans. Some Racers have plans for after the race, while others don’t. I may not have a long term plan yet, but don’t think that I haven’t been thinking and praying about it. Many Racers are entering a season of rest and a time of processing the year, which in the American society may be perceived as laziness. It’s not. Don’t be afraid to ask about my future plans and don’t be afraid to share different opportunities with me. Remember I’ve been out of the loop for almost a year.
- Lastly, give me grace (just like I’ll give you grace). I will do my best to reintegrate into American culture. But it’s going to be hard for me. Please give me grace if I commit a social fauxpas, eat the wrong foods with my hands, or openly talk about bodily functions. All these things were a way of life for me over the last 11 months and some survival habits will be hard to break. Know that I’ll give you grace too. Unless you’ve been on the race, there are some things you may not understand about me or my experience. It’s really okay, and I’ll do my best to let you in on it and forgive you if you can’t wrap your mind around it. What matters is that we both love each other and we can relearn each other!
Momma, Dad, Sarah, Liam, Austin, and Skout- 34 sleeps! 34 more breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. 20,000 breaths until I get to squeeze your guts out! I love you, I love you, I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!
