“So Catie. What are you doing now that the Race is over?”
This question is so daunting while on the Race. I started out with a plan of what I was going to do when I got home, but things change. Plans have changed. Circumstances changed. Dreams have changed.
If you asked me last year what I was going to do after the race, I would have told you something along the lines of this:
” My plan is to come back to San Diego, live with my parents and work at the high school in Ramona as a special ed aide for a year or so, to save up a bit. I’ll start school the next fall to continue my pursuit of being a special ed teacher, hopefully getting into San Diego State or Colorado Christian University to get my degree.”
Fast froward a year, and my plans are very different. My family moved from San Diego to Arizona while I was on the race, so going back to San Diego wasn’t really an option like it was before. But one of the biggest things that helped form what I’m going to be doing in the question, “if you could do anything in the world, what would you do?” From the time I was younger until now, my answer has always been I would want to be a pastry chef. And one of the coolest things we were able to do while on the race is to help people dream. In America, we have the opportunity to dream, to want to do the impossible, we encourage our children to dream of their future. But in some places around the world, that isn’t the case, so we have the opportunity to step in and allow them to dream a little more.
But while I was asking others this question, the Lord turned it around and I was asked that question, and then why I wasn’t going after that dream when I have the opportunity. I didn’t know how to answer that. I’ve always wanted to be a pastry chef, but I just thought I was supposed to be a special ed teacher because that’s what I was supposed to be. Now, don’t get me wrong, I do love working with kids with special needs, they have a huge place in my heart. But I’m not sure teaching kids in a school setting is what the Lord wants me to do with my gifts.
So here’s my plan as of today. I’m staying with my parents in Arizona for a while, then I head out to Charleston, South Carolina to move into an apartment with a teammate. I’ll get a job (or two. Right now I’m also driving for Lyft) in order to save up for culinary arts school to get a degree in pastry arts. My dream down the road is to open a bakery somewhere in Asia (or wherever the Lord is calling me), and employ women who have been in the sex trafficking industry, to empower and equip them with life skills that will help the succeed in life outside of sex trafficking.
I want to say a huge thank you to everyone I’ve met along the journey that is the World Race. To all the hosts, friends, and those who are like family, thank you. Thank you for taking us in and caring for us, for showing us your culture and your life, and for sharing what the Lord is doing in your family, ministry, town and country. Thank you for all that you’ve done and the impact you have made in your community and in my life.
And to everyone who was back home during my journey, thank you for your support throughout the race. For the thoughts and encouragement, check-ins, prayers, questions, texts making sure we are still alive, all the FaceTimes, and just being there throughout this year. Thank you for being patient with the wifi and when it took me a little longer than usual to respond to your messages. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate all your support.
Before the race, someone told me a tid bit of wisdom. Training camp is training for the world race. But the world race is training for the rest of our lives. So lookout world, I’m coming for ya.
