My dear friend Kristy is launching in January and I can never quite find the right words to answer all of her questions or find time on the internet to do it. So, in honor of her leaving soon for her own Kingdom Journey, I decided to write some thoughts down that were inspired by her questions. Cheers to you, my lovely Kristy!
Believe me when I say…………
You will find joy in the simple things, like when your squadmates fold your clothes
Animal cruelty is everywhere
Showering every day is not necessary, it’s all a lie
Wearing the same clothes for a week can be done
God will tell you to do something you don’t want to do
That water you just drank and that food you just ate will not kill you
You can dwell in the same 5ft space as a black widow, the world won’t end
Preaching with only a 30 second notice becomes the norm, it’s fun!
Squatty potties are just better, don’t fight it
50 pounds is for sure way too much stuff, trust me
You are gorgeous, put down the eye liner (to all ladies)
That prayer you just prayed… God heard it…seriously
Hard feedback is the best feedback, swallow it
Serve the men on your team like you’d serve your future husband
E-mail, call, and text your parents, they deserve it
You can easily fit 10 more people…always
Give that last piece of bread to that child or that dog you just saw
Put down that romance movie and romance novel, you’re welcome
Don’t get into that relationship before you leave and while you’re on the Race
Write when you don’t want to, it means there’s something that needs to be said
Fetch that water, do those dishes, carry that pack when nobody else wants to
Smiling when you don’t want to isn’t faking it, it’s called choosing in and finding joy
Half a bucket of water is too much water for a bucket shower, you can do it
That person that annoys you most on your squad will probably be your bestfriend
When the electricity goes out and it’s pouring rain, enjoy it, it’s beautiful
Dance during that dance party, don’t sit that one out
Your contacts aren’t perfect and neither are you
Learn to say the simple things in the language that is spoken, it’s worth it
Always add 5 hours to your bus ride, it’ll make it easier to endure
Forgive quickly and move on, for your sanity and your teams
When in doubt don’t show your knees
The Holy Spirit rolls in ways you won’t understand and that’s okay
Just because you’ve been doing it that way your whole life doesn’t mean it’s the best way
You will cry, you will get angry, you will dust yourself off, you will get back up
Get that piercing, get that tattoo, jump off that cliff, climb that mountain, love that person
Bed bugs aren’t that big of a deal… just don’t get lice…
You’ll survive typhoid, malaria, dengue, food poisoning and explosive diarrhea
Just start accepting that you’ll have a poop story, because you will, and you’ll laugh
Grin and bear it, start this process now
I don’t care what they say, you can find what you need in the country you’re in
No matter the situation… grace is always the answer
When your team wants to go out and you don’t, go anyways
You will see things that aren’t right and are horrific
Don’t assume your debrief location will be nice…. I was stuck in the bush for one
Just believe you will be fully funded
Don’t pretend you’re Job, there are worse situations to be upset about
Cry, it’s okay, really
Pre-natals, best decision I ever made for the Race as far as vitamins
Bring your laptop, nobody likes sharing on wifi days
9 times out of 10 you won’t see the fruit, but that doesn’t mean it’s not growing
Don’t leave your clothes out on African clothes lines longer than need be
Remember to say no when those local natives ask for your hand in marriage
You will be a pro at washing your clothes by hand, you might actually enjoy it
Quick dry everything is awful, especially those clothes, don’t do it!
Ladies, stretchy skinny jeans, especially those forever 21 kind. mmmhm! Do it!
If you use your flat iron, bring it… or just buy a hot pink one in Moldova for 15 bucks
The best times you’ll ever have on the Race is just being with your team and loving them
Write blogs, you’ll want these memories, you need to tell your story and your heart
Your support will come from unlikely places
God has your back, even when He’s making you walk home at night in the slums
When the opportunity comes to go on a crazy adventure, GO! Or as my World Race go to girl Andrea once said “fly!”
