You are in for such a crazy ride of a year. Leaving everything familiar behind to step into a year unlike any other. To choose into fully committing to God everyday. Y’all don’t take that for granted. Training camp will be a shock for some, and for others it will be stepping into more of your comfort zones. Each day has the ability to hold something amazing, but you will get out of it what you put in. This year is about you and your relationship with Christ as much, if not more, than it is about those around you. People will praise you for taking this year of abandonment; that was always something hard for me to hear because at times it didn’t feel like I was losing anything because it felt like I was gaining the world in travel. It really is something to sit in. Although this might seem easy to you, there are plenty of people that would love to and physically or mentally can’t, or that are so attached to comforts that they really couldn’t do this. There will be countless people around the world that cannot fathom why you would leave the “perfect” America and come to them – step into that! I missed times like that for the open door it was to tell them how valuable they are to God. Take advantage of opportunities like that!
Little house keeping things: Packing. I promise all the things you think you need now, you don’t! Everyone means it when they say pack half of what you are bringing. You will be thankful when you have to go up stairs or pack into tiny cars; believe me, it’s a thing. Live within the budget that you are given – it gives you perspective on the ability to live like that but also an appreciation that you sometimes don’t understand unless you live it. Share your stories! Boy this is one I still have trouble with. There were times I missed out on telling so many people following my blog an impactful story because someone on my team already shared it, but I was every bit a part and had my own perspective which is valuable. Also a big thing – just because your teammate shared it doesn’t mean anyone that follows you, follows them. Seems like an obvious thing, but I can’t tell you how many times it happens. So don’t be afraid of oversharing!
It can be really hard to process what you are experiencing while you are living it, but try. If that means journaling for yourself, blogging, or just being silent before God, make time for processing. This is part of where I said this year is about your relationship with Christ because YOU are taking ownership of this time. You might know some of your squadmates but you have no one taking this journey that knows you from beginning to end, no parents, siblings, or friends. The only one that will consistently know your heart is Christ. Don’t believe the lies from Satan along the way. Christ cares about every little bit of your heart. I know this from experience; when we had our team change, I was going through a really difficult personal time in Europe. I remember feeling emotionally overwhelmed and alone. When we were in Innsbruck, Austria we were walking through a grocery store, and I told my teammate Cari that I missed snapping and cooking fresh green beans. I said it flippantly but I’m weird and it really was just something my heart was missing. The next day we traveled to Bologna, Italy to stay with a missionary family, and I kid you not, the first thing we were asked to do in preparing for dinner was snap green beans. Y’all, HE SEES YOU! He knows your struggles and the little moments that bring you joy. Stay close to Him.
2020. A year, 12 months, 365 days. Before I left for the race my sister Danielle gifted me a shirt that says 1 year=365 opportunities. Nothing could have described how my year would unfold. As I’ve traveled the world I’ve made countless memories and connections with people. I experienced joy, loneliness, confusion, heartbreak, love, peace, hope, and freedom. This is now your turn – own this year, and step into everything that Christ puts in front of you. Push into your community, not physically but really, the people around you are your family. Now go change the world and let it change you!
