September 3rd!! September 3rd!! September 3rd!! Ahh that’s me trying to get it into my head that that’s the day I officially leave Nacogdoches!
Okay let me explain to EVERYONE what in the world I am doing this fall, and where I’ve been in the time being.
First of all, can we all take a moment to recognize that the year 2020 has gone nothing of planned. With everything going on in the world I’ve pushed my future plans on the back burner for a while now, and I’m finally starting to realize the urgency of everything World Race Gap Year related. When everything with Covid 19 first came about, I genuinely believed that Gap Year was no longer an option. I started looking into other options like school in the fall etc. Just in the midst of all the stress and anxiety about my future the World Race sent out so much information and three options for us racers to decide. We could either opt out completely and then I would go to school in the fall, or transfer my funds to another trip in 2021 and go on the trip I originally planned, or pick between two new options the World Race had created during all the craziness. They gave us all this information then only a week to decide which we wanted!!! You can imagine the emotions I was experiencing during that week. Out of all the sensible options I immediately looked into the two new options the World Race created because why not go with the most insane choice.
Okay so the first option is to leave in January on a 6 month trip to whichever country is open and it would be 5,000 dollars cheaper. My first thought was of course that one, it made the most sense!! Then talking and praying with my family I realized that I have nothing planned for during that time leading up to January. I realized that I have prepared my heart for awhile now to leave in the fall. So I looked into the latter option which is to go on September 3rd and spend 3.5 months in the World Race base in Gainesville, Georgia. What this would look like is an extended training camp where we spend the time growing closer as a squad and to God. It’s leadership centered as well and we will have guest speakers from around the world come and talk to us and help us become the best versions of ourselves. My first thought reading and learning about that was automatically no. And I couldn’t explain it either. I was just so scared to spend that much time in one place without my mom or anyone from home. It’s easier to picture myself leaving and traveling and doing that along the way. The only way to explain it is-fear. I was terrified it would be too hard or I wouldn’t make it, but after listening to my dad talk about the dangers of fear and the opportunities I would miss out on I started to reconsider. He told me anything could be justified by fear-like not going. After that I decided that I wasn’t going to let fear rule my life and I would go to Georgia in September!!
Soooo what does leaving on September 3rd to Georgia mean for me financially??? Well my fundraising goal remains the same, and considering how hard it is to fundraise during a pandemic….I have a lot of work to do!! I did a lot of my fundraising at school and had plans to partner with certain businesses. With businesses struggling themselves to remain open during this time, I decided against trying to fundraise with them. With that being said, if anyone knows of any businesses or ideas about fundraising PLEASE email me @ [email protected] !!! If anyone feels called to donate just know you will receive a special custom thank you note for your fridge!!!!!
Thank you so much for taking the time out of your day to read my blog and follow me on my journey with myself and our Lord! Remember to please stay praying for me and all the racers right now, these are difficult times! With so much love, Grace!!!!
