I’m a long winded writer (and speaker), but I’ll do my best to be brief in the various paths that led me to the WR…900 words later.
My sophomore year of college was pretty tough. I had grown in some ways, but had remained immature in others; which in turn led me to hard times throughout the year. I don’t remember exactly how I came to know about the WR program, but when I stumbled across it I knew it was something that would mesh well with me (regardless of the whole sleeping in a tent thing) and would be a radical journey to growth and change in my faith and self. Unfortunately the timing didn’t line up quite right with my age (turning 21 in January) and when would be the optimal time to take off from school (the January 2016 route, as to only be gone for two semesters rather than three). So I had to recognize that the WR would be put off for some time and focus on school.
Fast forward to April of my Junior year of school, I was on a break for a semester to truly figure out who and what I wanted to be. I wound up on a spontaneous trip to New York City to look at schools and get a feel for the city life on my own. I fell in love with the twinkling lights and fast paced lifestyle the city possesses. I returned home to Indiana a few days later and shared my excitement with my family about the university. In the summer I found myself in the city once again, this time with my parents and brother for my mom’s birthday. At the end of our visit my mom and I went back to the college and spoke with administration about the reality of me attending the school in the fall, which to my surprise was very much so real if I got my application submitted within the month. A few short weeks later my application was submitted to The New School in the hopes to finish my education there in a degree focussing on journalism, media, and writing. Not even two weeks later I opened my email one morning to the word “Congratulations” followed by loads of other information. I quite literally let out a squeal of happiness, spooking Snoop Catt awake and sending my heart aflutter.
As excited as I was about attending The New School I was accepted into the program at the end of July with classes starting the end of August. If you know anything about NYC, you know that finding an apartment in Manhattan that allows for cats, has utilities included, and isn’t the size of a closet for around $1000-$1200 a month is next to impossible. Add in the fact that you have less than three weeks to find the place, pack your stuff, and get to the east coast before orientation. I deferred for the semester with the plan to begin in the spring after taking time to find a proper apartment and have a steady move, rather than the rushed move that was happening. As much as I felt I was ready to reinstate my education, it felt as though God had another plan for me in this season of life.
That little inkling I felt was exactly correct, because look at where I am now! A week after what would have been my fall start date my mom came to me, laptop in hand, with the WR website pulled up on the screen. I felt drawn to the program once again and my desire to do missions work and travel began to burn bright. I sent in an application and waited “patiently” to see what would come my way. Before I knew it, I was doing a phone interview and was accepted a few days later! I was a little shocked because I didn’t feel like I deserved to be accepted into so many programs in one chapter of life. However, I was a little torn between finishing my education as soon as possible, and embarking on this once in a lifetime journey; so I prayed.
I decided to go to training camp with an open heart and mind and see what He wanted for me. If at the end of the ten days I was fired up and ready to go on the race, I would do just that; if I left training camp disgruntled and still confused, I would move to New York. In October I found myself sleeping in a bag, in a tent, in the great outdoors (for the first time!) with thirty some odd strangers. Funnily enough, it was ten of the best days I had had in awhile and I felt confident that this was the right direction for me to go. I left training camp with a spiritual awakening brewing deep inside and prepared for what was to come in 2018.
Fast forward once again and here I sit in the ice blue dining room, typing a blog post for you all, while I listen to my puppy pack family tell stories from home and joking with one another here in Bandung, Indonesia. Even being 10,000 miles away from my family, friends, and cozy bed in Indiana, I’ve never felt more at home than in this moment.
Blessings from me to you,
Candace Cox
Personal Blog: cactiscandace.com
Instagram: @cactiscandy
