After eight moves, you’d think that I’d be used to saying goodbye, or maybe even be good at it by now, but its always just as hard as the first time. This summer was full of “goodbye”, “see you in nine months”, “good luck in college”, and “I’ll miss you so much”, but finally I got to say “hello” again. September 8, 2018, I arrived in Atlanta and started seeing all the smiling and excited World Racer faces. The reunions were overflowing in love and comfort. I was finally back with my people; the people I would spend the next nine months serving, loving, singing, dancing, eating, shopping, and traveling with. I was bursting at the seams with countless emotions all at once.
I was lucky enough to have my family come to launch and learn more about what the World Race will hold for me, as well as what it might hold for them, and I have been so so comforted by what they’ve told me they learned. Saying goodbye to them was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do, but knowing their confidence in me and what the Lord has in store for me is the best comfort I could have received from them. The tears weren’t so sad anymore, they were happy to see God’s plan unfold.
Since saying goodbye, I’ve gotten to dive back into my relationships with my squad and with other Gap Year racers. We’ve caught up on life, learned a lot about what spiritual warfare we will face on the field, and worshiped our hearts out together. I’m so blessed to have reconnected with a long time friend (love you AK) because of the race and to have made a great new friend (L. Stecker) through mutual friends and the mission organization CRU/Agape Europe.
Although there have been times of uncertainty along my journey leading up to the World Race, the Lord has reaffirmed me through new friends, old friends, and the peace He brings my family. As I sit in the ATL airport, I couldn’t be more sure that this is my path; this is what I am supposed to do.
