Before I begin, I’d like you to check out the video below from my Brother Josh Stoneman. We worked alongside eachother for more than half of the race. I believe his video captures the essence of my race as well and will absolutely help as I describe the race and what transitions look like from it. He has the camera skills that I lack haha:
Check out the Video: “My World Race” and many others to see what it is like on the field! Subscribe to stay updated as my Brother Josh continues to post about his travels! http://www.pathandpavement.com/
Direct Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GwEMXRHWmw
Home for A Season
It’s good to be back. I landed not too long ago in Miami, Florida and took some days to visit family there in the Florida area. I was reunited with my family and also got in touch with some family I never met as well which was beautiful. My family is welcoming, loving, and exactly what I need them to be. Themselves. But of course, everything isn’t easy coming into Month 12 of this race we call life.
So how is home?
It’s a transition to say the least. I won’t lie. As I put on my favorite Oxfords, a pair of jeans with an actual belt, a watch that wasn’t from Wal-Mart, and a button up shirt to go out to dinner I felt awkward. I looked into the mirror and saw the Brian I remembered in physical appearance (minus the hair). But the man wearing the clothes was much different.
I have a mind that is constantly trying to grasp what the heck just happened over the past 11 months, while trying to adjust to what’s been going on here. It’s almost like amnesia or bad memory at times. Sometimes you forget the different foods that you ate, or the names of people you met, or the many places you ventured off into. There are SOO many memories. So…I’m working on it. The questions from family and friends help A LOT! Sometimes we’ll only get to scratch the surface of the trip and sometimes we’ll dive deep into life changing memories. It’s all working for the good!
Aside from occasional amnesia, sometimes I feel like a foreigner to my own country. Overwhelmed with options, fascinated at opinions, amazed at politics and news screenings. Technology is moving at a fast pace and I found myself struggling to order a pizza online the other day. After getting use not having many options overseas, it blew my mind that there was an option to choose barbeque sauce instead of a red sauce on your pizza from Papa Johns. The small things. My nephews and niece have it down though so I plan to take some lessons from them. Especially, baby Hayden.
One day I was watching a video of troops returning to their families after being deployed and I could feel myself saying “Maybe that’s it.” Of course I can’t directly compare the experience because they are both extremely different, but I could feel myself saying yeah that’s it! Returning to a family you haven’t seen in a year, the sight of my sister’s newborn baby, the growth in all my nephews and neice, the strength of my sisters and mother. It’s kind of surreal. After seeing and experiencing so many different things abroad. Seeing things you should never have to. Images that will never leave your mind and only seeing America through a tiny camera on an iPhone. It can even seem unreal now. [If you have served in the armed forces or know someone who has, I thank you so much for your service- I know it’s not easy for the family]
It seems like not too long ago when my neighbors lived in a slum. Where people spoke a variety of languages, sold fresh fruits on the corner, wore the same clothes weekly, and walked to get around. It seems like not too long ago when I had to question if the water was clean enough to drink, if there was enough to shower with, where I could find internet, or if I could borrow some bug spray to keep the mosquitos away. It seems like not too long ago where I had to sit and eat on the floor, pray with the doors closed, sit on the male side of church, or not listen to secular music in order to be a Christian. It seems like not too long ago where I had my bible constantly on me, I was talking about the Lord in every conversation, preparing a talk, or conveniently having praise and worship sessions in my room.
I can’t bring all of those experiences or habits back with me to the States. I doubt that everyone will simplify their wardrobe or start handwashing laundry tomorrow. I doubt that everyone will instantly know what I’m talking about when I say Church is more than a building that you go to on Sunday morning. But those last few items I can. Discipline. Not out of a legalistic view or because I think I’ll be less holy if I pray at 7 o’clock instead of 6 o’clock. But genuinely because I remember the day that God transformed my life and ever since then I want to be in a place where I can be closer to Him and that sense of peace rather than the chaos of the world. You could call His presence my daily vacation. So that’s where I’ll be. Taking my daily vacations with Him now as I am not physically traveling quite as often and disciplining myself with adjustments. Enjoying family and friends and sharing more about my trip and hearing what’s been going on in others lives. Because your journey is just as important as mine. We have all grown whether that be by choice or by tough circumstances we have encountered over the year. Whether that be physically, mentally, spiritually, financially, etc. This life and our world can be a warzone. But when I battle it out with the Lord, it doesn’t seem nearly as bad but rather filled with the love and peace we are all truly searching for.
Thank you so much to everyone that has been keeping up with the journey. All those who donated, prayed, commented, read, posted, and so much more. There are no words strong enough to thank you for all that you have given to me. It has been a tremendous blessing that will literally impact the rest of my life. There will never be a day where I regret going on this journey and I hope that this journey has impacted you as well in a positive way.
So,The Next Season.
Healthcare has always been on my radar. For a long time, I thought I would pursue medical school, but after this trip and many other encounters I have something that clearly fits my vision and passion to help others in this field. After much prayer and consideration. I have decided to attend the University of Georgia this upcoming Fall to pursue my Masters in Public Health focusing on Management and Policy! I was offered an In-State-Tuition rate and will be starting classes this August! My vision is to one day work on an International level in order to affect global healthcare management and send off future health missions teams.
Go Dawgs, Praise Jesus.
