Last week Caleb sent me a list of 10 questions involving the World Race and I thought I'd answer them here for you all. If anyone else has questions (now or during my actual time on the field) feel free to email them to me or write them in blog comments and I'll always try to answer them!
1) Hat or Bandana? Nylon or Spandex? Pony or Pig ?
Hat, spandex, pony. Although to be honest I’m not entirely sure of the difference between nylon and spandex.
2) On the trip you will get to see some of the Lord’s most unique creations in nature. Which are you most excited about and how do you think it will change your view of the United States terrain and beauty?
I’m most excited to see Mount Everest while in Nepal. I don’t know if it will change my view of the U.S. because I think parts of the states are certainly beautiful, but I look forward to seeing God’s beauty revealed in nature all over the world.
3) What type of bug will most get on your nerves? (Flying, crawling, buzzing, biting etc.)Crawling bugs.
Creepy crawlers in my tent, bed, sleeping bag, etc. is my no. 1 bug fear. Bugs don’t bother me nearly as much as critters though…
4) Rank these emotions in the order you expect to feel the most. 1 being the emotion you expect to feel the most, 5 being the emotion you expect to feel the least
1. Interest
2. Joy
3. Determination
4. Shame/humility
5. Fear
I was actually going to do a separate blog on fear but will tie it in here. This morning as I was driving back to Philly from Annapolis I was thinking about my trip and some of my fears were creeping up. How am I going to raise all the money? How will I go 11 months without seeing my family? What if I get malaria? Will I really be able to preach to others? Am I going to make a difference at all?
I was listening to ‘Keep the Faith’ on the radio and they were doing a segment on being courageous. There was a quote that went something like this: Fear at it’s core is selfishness. Life is not really about us. It’s about God. He’s always in control so there’s nothing to fear. God is telling us, “This is my story, not yours. You’re playing this amazing role in it, but ultimately it’s up to me.”
After that they went directly into what is my all time favorite worship song, Blessed be Your Name. I felt like God was just shaking me and saying, “See, just trust me. Don’t be scared. Be courageous.”
5) You will be gone for around 330 days. Which day will be the hardest? Which day will be the easiest? At what day do you first utter something to the effect of, “Man I’d kill a cheesesteak right now”.
I’ll probably only last a week or two before I start craving a cheesesteak. Because anything can happen on the race, I have no idea how to predict which days will be easier or harder than others. There are several “fun days” where we get a break and will get to hike, white water raft, bungee jump, explore cities, etc. and I’m sure those days will be easier. Days (or months) when we have Internet access will certainly make things easier as well. For some reason I imagine the middle of the race being somewhat harder. The first few months it will be really new and exciting, and the last few months we’ll be close to being home, but I predict somewhere in the middle is where I’ll be the most homesick. The hardest days will probably be when I meet people who have been through things I can’t even imagine. Having to trust that God is still working in their broken lives, and being able to just love on them and speak His promise into their hearts
6) What task or country are you most excited to experience?
Cambodia. I have heard how beautiful Southeast Asia is and how the food in Cambodia is really good. I recently read the book “First they killed my Father” about the genocide of 2.5 million Cambodians during the late 70’s at the hands of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge. My heart broke for the people of Cambodia and I look forward to helping them continue to rebuild.
7) Last American meal you want to eat before you leave? First thing you think you will want to eat when you get back?
I want to eat a big steak and potatoes dinner before I leave, with ice cream. And then when I get back I think I’ll really want Mexican food.
8) Name 2 things you will do less of when you get back from the trip.
Complain and watch TV.
9) If God was to write you a slogan, sentence, blurp as inspiration for this trip…what is he saying? (cant be a bible verse…less formal please).
“I’ve got this.” When I read this question the first thing that popped in my head was “You’ve got this.” As in God urging me I could handle it. But it’s not about me. It’s all about Him, so Him telling me “I’ve got this” makes more sense. I can relax because I know He has called me for a reason.
10) I assume many of the people on the trip are of the same mindset, personality and ambition level…you guys all have to be somewhat crazy…errr.. similar to be doing this. In what “different” way do you want to be remembered by your fellow racers?
I’ll probably just be remembered as the girl that always wanted to go on a walk to seek out a diet coke, bugged people to go on runs with me, and had to stop the bus constantly because I had to pee.
But I’d like to be remembered by my squadmates as someone who tried to keep a positive attitude, who was fun to be around, and who encouraged and lifted up people around me.
