Why in the world am I doing this race? At this point in my life, the real question is why in the world not? Although I know that I am not physically, emotionally, spiritually, or mentally prepared for this new adventure, I fully believe that God will provide and allow me to not only conquer this 11 month journey, but He will also show me the world in a way that I have never witnessed it.
I can’t tell you what kind of tent I’m going to have, or what shoes are gonna be my new best friends. I don’t know what I’m gonna miss the most about Kentucky or what it’s gonna be like when I can’t check iTunes every week to hear the newest country songs.
But what I can tell you is that I am so excited to live in an environment without the praise of cell phones. I am eager to get back to journaling about my days without Instagram distracting me. I yearn for the dinner conversations that will last for hours because nobody has anywhere else they need to be and nothing will be sweeter than sittin and chattin.
Y’all don’t get me wrong when I say that I absolutely love home. I love usin extra long hashtags on social media, and my friends can tell you I’m usually pretty up to date on celeb news. But all of those petty thrills are skin deep and I am ready to shed them away for a while. I’m ready to focus my attention on community and listen to and rely on God wholeheartedly. I’m ready to serve the least of these. It’s crazy that I’m not stressed about about my ever long to do list: I have shots to get, gear to buy, money to raise, goodbyes to give. I know that my list will continue to grow longer at first, but then it will begin to shrink and I will be ever so grateful when I reach that stage.
Praying for my fundraising shirts, guidance on what I should pack, my squadmates as they prepare for the race, all of the beautiful people who have given me support – whether it be through kind words, monetary gifts, advice on camping, or teaching me through actions. I would not be here without y’all and you truly mean the world to me.
xo
