The day has finally come… I’m LEAVING for The World Race… TOMORROW… FULLY FUNDED!
In January, when I was accepted to the World Race, it seemed like it was an eternity away. Not just the simple fact of time and that it was a whole 8 months away… But it was the endless list of gear to buy, the daunting amount of money to raise, unfamiliar forms to fill out, uncomfortable shots and vaccinations to receive, an overcrowded apartment to pack and move, tearful goodbyes to the best friends and family a girl could ask for. I had so much to do before it was time to launch, I couldn’t get past one thing without thinking about the next. It felt as if I had 1,000 tabs opened on my laptop and every time I closed one, five more opened – overwhelming maybe? More so drowning. That was it… I was prone to drown in this season. I thought, “As long as I show up at launch with at least my passport, I can purchase everything that I forgot in the U.S., overseas.” I could see myself the day we leave… just straggling into the airport, one Chaco and a sweatshirt hanging off my backpack because it wouldn’t fit, smelling like Pantene because my shampoo and conditioner had already exploded in my backpack, and looking like I had been hit by a bus because I had overslept THE NIGHT BEFORE LAUNCH. It was going to be by the grace of God that the many items on my to-do lists got crossed off.
However, I learned very quickly that drowning is not in God’s playbook for this season, or better yet for my life.
I found out that I was accepted to the World Race and had about two weeks to pray about it and submit my first, small deposit which would secure my spot on the race. That whole week, I was filled with utter fear. What in the world was I doing? I had a job with great co-workers, community that most people only dream of, and a city that I loved. But, per usual, God’s timing is better than ours and His plans are far better than what we can ever imagine.
So, after weighing my options (lightly), I gave God my “yes”.
Since pressing that ‘submit’ button and signing my life away for 11 months to this kingdom journey that they call The World Race, it was as if all of the fear that I had been experiencing the past week immediately left me. I felt peace and reassurance that this is what I am supposed to do and where I am called. This is living now.
I really can’t say that I’ve been nervous leading up to this long awaited day… I went into training camp with no expectations and it just allowed God to move (He sure did!). Honestly, I’ve really only felt excitement preparing for the race. I haven’t been fearful that things wouldn’t fall into place. That being said, it hasn’t been easy. It has been a daily choice that I have had to make to continue to trust in God if I didn’t get a donation for an entire month. I have to constantly tell myself that even if I didn’t mark anything off of my long to-do list that day, that I’m still called and chosen for The World Race.
As I am leaving tomorrow, I cannot begin to thank everyone that has supported me financially through this journey. I set a goal for myself to be fully funded by August 1st. Like I have said before, “God’s timing is better than ours!” I found out that I was fully funded on July 27! Thank you so much to everyone who has shown me love in so many ways. Ya’ll are awesome! You have helped make it possible.
The amount of trust and faith that I have given to God has been unbelievable… God has shown up and shown out. Whether it’s the unexpected donations from people that I don’t know, the sales that I caught at REI and Amazon Prime, or the prayers from an officer after he wrote me a ticket for my expired inspection sticker, I’ve been able to see God in it all. I could not have planned this season any better leading up to launch if you paid me. So here I am… LIVING NOW.
*** Also, below is a video of me setting up and taking down my gear!
