Carly has asked me to blog about being a parent of someone on the World Race. The WR has sent out over 100,000 missionaries, this is just 1 parents’ story.
Carly called Greg (my husband) and I around May of 2012 to tell us about this mission that she was considering. Carly has a friend that did the WR & she was seriously thinking about doing it. Our first reactions were – it is yet another attempt by Carly to find a husband. Or, she is changing her ENTIRE life when she really only needs to make small changes. We did not support her and we told her 3 brothers of our discomfort with the situation. Her brothers in turn, following our lead, did not support her. Then the big bomb, the one that almost made Greg’s head explode – she needed to raise $16,000! NO WAY, NO HOW. If you know Carly, she has a way of making things happen & she started to do just that. It all started to fall into place. Not just fall into place, it was amazing. The fund raising humbled us all. People were so giving with their money, something we are not. Total strangers gave her hundreds of dollars. People opened up to Carly along her journey and told her how much they love God. Carly just shook her head in agreement. Then came the training. Carly has been stuck in a classroom for the past 10 years and was out of shape. The heat and the physical demands were brutal. But she took it all in stride. She’d go to whatever means she had to, to show God how much she loves him. I know we let Carly down more then a few times. She wanted us to take care of her dog for 11 months and we declined. She wanted us to come to Chicago for the send off, but we were unable. I’m sure there’s other times we’ve let her down and don’t even know about it. But we pray for her constantly & we’re giving what we can monetarily. Do we fear for her safety and health – YES. But as a parent we pretty much do that all the time any how. Carly’s committment to this mission has made us better people. She walks in her faith every minute of her life, we do it when we can. But we do it more now that Carly has shown us how. Some days I cry when I miss her. But I am so proud of her. I tell EVERYONE that my daughter is a missionary. I make plans for when she returns home. I want her back in my life. I try to feed off of her strength and live life strong. Carly and all the World Racers shine a spot light on the parts of the world we never see. Just by being there – they make us aware of it. I know Carly will forever be changed by this experience – but so will we. Our hearts are with her and we walk every step along side her. I am proud, sad, excited, perplexed, scared and enlightened all at once. Love and miss you Carly. ~Mom
