Questions from Mom:
1. What is one thing that you packed that you wish you hadn’t? One thing that you didn’t but wish you had?
*Sleeping bag
*I mean I can’t really pack any of the food I’ve missed…so probably clothes that were like ones I had worn at home (less patterned bottoms and more patterned tops). Also, a pair of zip-off pants.
2. What is the weirdest food that you’ve tried on the race?
ABC (in Malaysia). It’s shaved ice topped with corn, black grass jelly, peanuts, red syrup, some green things, beans (?), and I’m not sure what else. It was really gross!!!
3. What is the scariest moment that you’ve experienced? Funniest?
*The scariest one I can think of is…well now I can think of two. In Cote d’Ivoire our taxi was stopped for having too many people in the car. The cop said that we had to pay a lot of money or he would give the driver a ticket, even though it was the driver’s fault. The cop even threatened jail. But really, the scariest moment was when I tried to go canyon swinging by myself, and I looked down while I was standing on the platform.
*Oh my! This is a hard question! V Squad is full of some funny people! Get Rachael T. to rap for you (she only loves her bed and her mom and she’s sorry), ask Daniel to tell you some of his work or girl stories (or ask him about the bra pad he found in his pocket), hang out with Taylor W. and get her to dance (she will, even in front of all of Buffalo Wild Wings), give Will a skirt and he’ll probably put it on (and may even dance). Or ask me about my team’s dating profiles! Whatever you do just DON’T give the guys tampons!!!
4. Can you think of a favorite memory? Favorite Ministry? Favorite country? Favorite adventure? Why?
*Memory: I’m not going to lie, I can’t think of one. I mean, how do I pick just one??? Maybe I will write a blog about a favorite memory from each country.
*Ministry: His Hands for Honduras (Honduras): I loved, loved, loved the kids we worked with every day!; Rescue Pink (India): another ministry where we worked with kids every day, and I loved them so much too!; Hope Home (Thailand); here we worked with kids with special needs, and that’s something I’ve always been passionate about, REAP (Nicaragua); I loved the Nicaragua team more than anything else. They had such a passion for the Nica people, and it leaked out in every ministry they did (and it was alot!). Also, this is the ministry that had the most diversity, from clearing fields with machetes to prayer ministry to going to the hospital or jail and more.
*Country: Strictly related to the country, my favorites were Nicaragua and Thailand. They had the best atmosphere and food in my opinion.
*Adventure: Volcanoes (hiking up one in El Salvador and riding a horse up one in Guatamala), Grand Canyon (Thailand), feeding and bathing elephants (Thailand), living on Tioman Island has kind of been one big, beautiful adventure (Malaysia)
5. What is something that you’ve learned about living in close community with others?
It’s hard but can be so fun! You have to fight againt FOMO (fear of missing out) a lot. You will miss them a ton when they’re gone, so make the most of the time you have (but still take time to be alone).
6. If you had to choose one word to sum up the race what would it be? Why?
Life-changing (which I think is pretty self explanatory)
7. What is one way that being on the race has changed you?
It has caused me to gain confidence in who God made me to be.
8. Can you remember all the means of transportation that you have used while on the race?
Plane, bus, van, car, truck, tuk tuk/rickshaw, songtaow, moto, Uber/Grab, chicken bus, train, ferry, boat
9. How has being on the race changed how you view the world?
Living in so many places around the world has shown me how strong people are despite the circumstances they face, many caused by things far out of their control.
10. What are you most looking forward to when you get back to the states?
Seeing my family (including Savannah, my cat) and southern food (especially Chick-fil-a and Cracker Barrel) and going to the lake
11. What has gotten you through the difficult times while being away?
Can I use the Sunday school answer and say Jesus? Because, it’s the honest truth! Also, pressing into people in my community.
12. What is one thing that you would like to have done on the Race that you haven’t been able to?
Skydiving and paragliding and cliff jumping
13. What is one lesson that you will carry away from this experience?
Just be yourself!
14. Future plans?
Currently applying for Center for Global Action (CGA), a 5 month discipleship program through Adventures in Missions
15. What is one thing you would like to tell your supporters?
THANK YOU!!! I know it sounds cliche, but without you I wouldn’t be here. I am so blessed to have had each and every one of you support me on this amazing year of life. You have played a HUGE part in changing my life!
16. A piece of advice for future racers?
Stay tuned! There are blogs coming your way!
17. What will you miss most when you get home?
V Squad!!!
18. What was the hardest thing to get used to while on the race?
Being vulnerable with people who, in the beginning, were practically complete strangers
19. What would you change, if anything, about your race experience?
I would have been more obedient to God instead of letting fear dictate my decisions at times
20. Do you have a favorite Bible verse?
It has been Jeremiah 29:11 for a long time, and I still love that verse! But while on the Race, I found (ok so actually my coaches showed it to us…shoutout to Keith and Karen, the best coaches every!!!) Psalm 27:13-14, and I think it may be my new favorite! “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord. Be strong and take heart, and wait for the Lord.”
21. What are some things that God or your team/squad have taught you about yourself?
I’m funny, I’m strong, I’m a leader, I’m so much more than I see and believe
22. What is the most important item in your backpack?
Baby wipes! They can be toilet paper, tissues, napkins, a shower, a face wipe, and probably a dozen more things!
23. What is one thing you wish you had known before going on the race?
I’m sure I heard or read this somewhere, but maybe I ignored it or just didn’t believe it, but the Race truly does go by in the blink of the eye. Don’t waste a minute of it!
Questions from Me:
1.What has been the hardest thing about me being on the Race?
Dad: not being able to see you
Mom: The hardest part has been the physical distance between us; not being able to hug you or see you and know you’re OK. Also wanting to talk and, depending on the WiFi, it may be anywhere from a few hours to a couple weeks until I hear from you.
2. What is a piece of advice you have for future Race parents?
Mom: Trust in the Lord to take care of your son/daughter. He will! Embrace your own journey during this time. It is a time of growth and change not only for your Racer, but you as well. And, stay connected to the other parents. They are a great support system and source of encouragement.
3. What has God been teaching you this year?
Dad: trust in Him with everything
Mom: I’ve learned to get out of my comfort zone and try new things. I’ve learned that being a missionary doesn’t necessarily mean traveling to far away places, just being obedient to the mission field that God has called me to. I’ve learned that living an abundant life is living a life of freedom in Christ, not an accumulation of material things. I’ve learned the time zones of lots of places I had never heard of 
4. What is one thing you wish you had known before I left for the Race?
Mom: I don’t know. Adventures in Missions staff were pretty thorough when they briefed us but I guess the part I was least prepared for was dealing with no communication, especially on travel days.
5. What is the first thing you want to do with me when I get home?
Dad: Give me a hug
Mom: The first thing, I want to do is give you a big hug, of course!! After that sit down and just talk and laugh without worrying about poor connections and time zone differences.
6. Do you think you will ever want to go on a mission trip?
Mom: I would love to go on a mission trip if that is God’s plan for me. It would be great to get a taste of what you have experienced this past year.
7. What is your favorite memory from my Race that I have shared with you?
Mom: So many memories come to mind but two stick out. The first one is of your birthday and the ways that your team and ministry hosts worked and planned to make it extra special for you. We were so excited to be able to FaceTime with you and your team for the first time and sing to you!
The second memory is of Christmas when you were in Cote De Ivoire living in a mud hut with very few luxuries. Your only gifts were cookies from your squad leader, a shirt that I had packed and a paper Christmas tree. You talked about caroling with the children in the village, a special breakfast and a very meaningful worship service. I was feeling sad for you missing all the gifts and family dinners but you were experiencing the true meaning of Christmas without all of the commercialism and holiday stress. Hearing you talk of the joy on the faces of the children over a small toy and the dancing and worship as the people celebrated Jesus’ birth made me a little envious.
8. What questions have people asked you while I’ve been on the Race?
Mom: Probably the questions that I get asked the most are “ What’s next?” and “What could you possibly do that would compare to this past year on the race?”
9. What’s the thing you have missed most while I have been gone?
Mom: I have really missed sitting at the end of your bed and just talking!! I’ve missed picking up the phone to call whenever I wanted. I’ve missed seeing you face to face.
10. What advice would you give me?
Mom: Mostly I want what God wants for you. I pray that you would listen to His voice and take the next step in faith. Be bold and courageous. Know that anything worth doing is worth doing well. Don’t compare yourself to others…be content to to be the person that God has created you to be. Live your life to make a difference in the lives of others and be more like Jesus everyday!
