Honestly, getting your stuff together is really hard.
It’s the day before my World Race Launch and I am sitting here at my computer printing off every packing blog I can find. Yes, packing is hard. People are constantly asking me what I am bringing and how much I am packing but when I talk about getting my “stuff” together I am not just talking about the things I need to pack. I’m talking about life.
When I first applied for the World Race back in November 2016 I had a lot of doubts. I had heard about the Race several months before that and in the following months I remember not being able to get it out of my head. It made so much sense to me and the more I learned about, the more I wanted to do it. At that time I felt like the World Race was everything I ever wanted to do. I would watch videos and read blogs longing for that to be me in their shoes.
I wanted to go out of my comfort zone.
I wanted to leave the mundane behind.
I wanted to live in a community of believers.
And I wanted to see hearts changed, the sick healed and the dead raised.
But I never thought that I would do it…
Around that time I was going through a lot in my life and it wasn’t my intention to run from it. I didn’t believe that I was ready to go and I remember thinking that one day, maybe if get my life together; I would go on the Race. However, as I began to pray through the possibility I felt like the Lord started to reveal to me that I would never really feel ready to go. You just have to do it.
It’s like jumping out of an airplane. Are you really ever ready to fall 10,000 ft? For most people the answer is no, so that’s why you have an instructor to help you. They’ve done it before and they know what you’re going through and they’ve got your back (literally) to make sure you get through it.
Choosing to go on the World Race was like jumping out of an airplane. I had no idea what I was doing! I didn’t feel like I was qualified enough. I had no idea where the money was going to come from. I was afraid of leaving everyone I’ve known and loved.
But I knew that God was with me.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.
Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your
God will be with you wherever you go.”
-Joshua 1:9
Even though I didn’t understand at the time why I felt like the Lord wanted me to go on the Race, I can already see now why he did. Because He knows what’s best for me. God doesn’t always lead us to things that we WANT to do but things that He knows we NEED to do. The process of the World Race has forced me to get my life together in a way that I probably never would’ve done if not for it.
But just to clarify:
I am far from perfect! Even though I feel like I have come far I want everyone to know that I still do not have my life together completely! There is so much more that God is teaching me and that I am learning about myself every single day. I know I have a long road ahead of me but I am so grateful I will be spending in on the World Race.
So it’s finally here! I leave for the World Race tomorrow! And honestly, it’s going about how I thought it would. I still have about 10 million things that I need to do because I procrastinated (like write this blog ;]). I went to 4 different stores yesterday and still need to go to Target today to get more stuff even though my bag is already outrageously heavy. I’ve been eating Taco Bell and Chipotle every day because I know I am going to miss it. And I’ve been saying goodbye to friends and family that I won’t see for a long time.
I expected all that stuff to happen! The one thing I didn’t expect to happen is that I would actually feel ready. And I do.
I am ready to go out of my comfort zone.
I am ready to leave the mundane behind.
I am ready to live in a community of believers.
And I am ready to see hearts changed, the sick healed and the dead raised!
Thank you to all of my friends and family for supporting me on this journey! I could’ve never done it without you so thank you for helping push me out of that airplane. 
See you all in 11 months!
“He said to them, “Go into all the world
And preach the gospel to all creation.”
-Mark 16:15
