Well, for a little update on my life, I GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL! It’s a little bittersweet, but mostly sweet. It is crazy that such a huge season of my life is ending, and I’m about to enter a new one.
Now, I am constantly being asked if I’m ready for my “big trip.”
This kind of question is so general, and my very honest answer to it is… NO. I’m so not ready for what lies ahead. I don’t think I’ll ever be. Not after I get all my gear together, not after training camp, probably not even as I board the plane for Thailand. You can never really be “ready” to leave everything you’ve ever known for 9 months straight, to jump into the complete unknown, to live in extremely close community with 50 other people you barely know.
I’ve gone back and forth with being so excited for this trip that I’m dancing around my room to being extremely scared of what unknowns lie ahead. I’m dreading the tearful goodbyes that are inevitably coming in September. On top of that, I sometimes feel like I’m not unworthy of this call to do mission work in Thailand, South Africa, and Nicaragua.
So, no, I’m not ready for the World Race.
BUT I am confident that this is where God needs me to be right now. And I am eager to see what He has for me and my team over the course of this next year!
And boy, it’s comin’. The race may not actually start until September 4th, but the adventure has already begun. It’s in full swing here in America. Right now, it is mainly taking the form of fundraising. And let me be the first to tell you, it’s daunting. The past months have been full of sending out support letters, writing thank you notes, selling bracelets, setting up garage sales, praying that funds would come in.
Amid all the stress the last semester of high school brought, The Lord has been so faithful. He’s been teaching me that I can trust Him with all of this. And… we’re at around 70% funded!
To everyone that’s donated, bought bracelets, encouraged me through conversation, and prayed for me, THANK YOU! Your support really does mean the world to me.
For the next few months, I will be life-guarding and teaching swim lessons to make some money for the race, all while trying to soak up the time I have left here in the states. I’m getting my gear together, learning how to set up a tent on my own, getting better acquainted with my wonderful squad mates, and preparing for training camp in July.
Weather I’m ready or not, the World Race starts in 100 days. I’m excited and nervous and overwhelmed and at peace all at the same time.
As I prepare, please join me in praying for God to strengthen me, to open my heart for what’s to come, for funds to continue to come in ($3598 to go!) and for the growth the community I’ll be traveling with. Love you all!
PS- In case you care, here’s me and some friends at graduation :’)
