My heart is bursting as I lay in my bunk bed in Nicaragua. With just 11 days left of my 11 month journey, I try to process a year’s worth of experiences. The lessons, the views, the moments… the faces from around the world keep running through my mind…
David serenading us over breakfasts of toast.
Maria giggling as she beats me in go fish.
Nelson’s gleaming white grin & wise eyes.
Lawm’s warm, motherly hugs.
Reuben dancing wildly on the front porch.
Cambodian children and their sweet hugs.
And Travis & Gina, praying fiercely over each one of us.
Memories of riding on the bus rooftop in the rain in Nepal, sleeping under the stars in the Indian countryside, kneeling beside the hospital beds of new moms in Honduras, climbing up mountains in Swaziland, scooping jellyfish out of the Caribbean Sea, and driving along the lush South African seaside stir bittersweet emotions in my heart.
In a matter of one last 4 hour flight, I will be hugging my sister for the first time in 11 months and sitting on her patio under the Georgia pines.
This is really the end. My time on the World Race is almost over.
Even just saying that makes my chest tighten. So excited to return to my family, I didn’t even realize the deep sorrow for what I’m leaving behind. This year has changed my life and it seems so strange to be leaving.
And yet, somehow I know that it is time.
It’s time to go home. To leave this experience and boldly step into the next. So rather than mourning, I find myself celebrating.
The Lord has been so faithful. Every prayer I had coming into this year He has answered. He has provided deep friendships, constant protection and perseverance, true joy, freedom, adventure and undeserved love. Even the smallest of my prayers were considered… microwave popcorn, midnight swims and meteor showers.
He has opened my eyes to this big, beautiful world and He has forever changed me.
And for that reason, before I close this chapter and walk away, I want to say thank you…
To the ladies of KYLO. The team that taught me what sisterhood looks like. For lifting me up when I didn’t have the strength, loving me when the ugly came out, seeing the good in me when I could not, and for uniquely and relentlessly loving Jesus the way you do.
To my loved ones at home. For believing in me enough to support and send me out, loving me from across the world through notes and answering 3am FaceTime calls, and for lifting me up to the Father in prayer every step of this journey.
And finally to Jesus. For doing all that You promised and more, my thank you is far too inadequate. I am humbled and honored that while You could’ve done this all by Yourself, still chose to let me in on the adventure.
Although I am on my way home soon, one thing is clear…
The race is not over. Jesus is not done with me.
I’m not coming home all shiny and wise. I’m not extra spiritual or anymore deserving of my Savior. I don’t have it all together and I certainly don’t have all the answers. I’m not even sure what happens once I step off the plane.
But I do know that, as hard as it is to imagine, even better things are yet to come.
I can feel it in my heart and I catch glimpses of it as I pray and dream about my future. The World Race is not the greatest thing Jesus will do with my life; it’s just the beginning. This year is merely a glimpse of the endless adventures He still has in store if I continue to say yes to Him.
I know without a doubt that the next season is going to be just as beautiful as this last one. It’s going to be just as powerful, just as exciting, and just as life changing.
And I couldn’t be more excited for it.
“Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” Luke 8:39
