As I head into launch year I’ve come face-to-face with the reality of the transitions. There will be physical transitions, like moving back to Arizona before the race, and there will be emotional transitions in saying goodbye to my home in Texas, my family, my community, and my job that I love with all my heart. Although I view these more as “see you laters,” they are still tough on the heart. Something I’ve noticed is the season just prior to known transition really brings clarity to all the Lord has done in your life, and how you’ve grown and learned (at least for me it does, I’m 1000% a reflector).
I moved to Tyler nearly 2 years ago with a mindset of confusion and little certainty on what I was doing with anything in life. I had a really rough year after graduating from bible college and was struggling with who I was outside of this Jesus bubble that I was immersed in 24/7. My best friend/roommate from college encouraged me to think and pray about moving to Tyler, and when I made the transition to Tyler her family welcomed me with open arms and completely changed my life.
During my 2 years in Tyler I’ve found a home, New Covenant Church, and I’ve found a community that’s turned into my family. Through this coming transition and with the help of the people I’m surrounded with I’ve never felt more challenged, accepted, vulnerable, and myself. It’s been extremely awesome to see how the Lord has put people in my life to call out the things in me that He sees. The timing of the World Race has felt sudden and startling, I wasn’t expecting it and I don’t think I could’ve actually followed through with it without everything I’ve learned about who God is and about myself these past 2 years.
I’ve learned more than ever that a relationship with Jesus isn’t as complicated as we may make it out to be and that community is one of the most important things in life; we’re not meant to “do life” alone. I’ve grown to trust my own relationship with God and not search for the validations of others that I’ve actually heard the voice of the Lord– and that probably was the BIGGEST confidence booster. I’ve been challenged in this season to give 100% where I am and not give half of my heart because I’m counting down the days to the next thing. Lastly, I’ve learned to be truly vulnerable, and not just accept what I thought was me being vulnerable (turns out I wasn’t actually being vulnerable…shocker), to express my hurts, but also my victories and dreams because they all matter.
The transition I’m walking into will be the most bittersweet one yet, but I’m walking with the most support I’ve had in my life with people who I know are constant. I’m excited that they get to walk with me in spirit through my World Race journey (Sorry, y’all won’t all fit in my pack). I’m so grateful to live in a time where there’s the technology to share with you the adventures on the field, the months I’m loving orphans and widows, the ministering to people in the streets, and the coming support of a Pastor planting their church. I’m excited to meet the new people that will become family on my team and to travel with them throughout the different 11 countries.
With 2 ½ months left, I’m reaching the end of my season in Tyler, TX feeling the most blessed I’ve ever been. I have SO much family, and so much confidence in who Christ is.
