A little update on my first 48 hours on the world race…. It was full of TRAVELLLLLL wooooo. I am currently writing this at a cafe in the Qatar airport which is super duper nice. We have about 24 more hours left of travel give or take, but we are almost done yayayayay!! I’m just going to tell you what travel life looks like on the race. It is a lot of going and then waiting. We bused to the Atlanta airport first, but don’t be fooled we did not get on an airplane there. We waited several hours to get on another bus to take us to the MEGA BUSS, which was 16 hours to Washington DC. I repeat 16 whole hours. The Lord blessed us greatly when one of our squad mates parents brought everyone snacks at one of the bus stops!! THANK YOU MR. AND MRS. HILLER!!!! When we got to D.C we walked a lot and took three buses to finally get to the airport!! Then 14 hours later we are here!! The Lord has been so good to fill us will supernatural patience through this chaos. This is just so real right now!!! We will be in Swazi tomorrow!! AAHHHHHHHH
Soo the realization of the goodbyes hit me hard when it was actually goodbye for real. My leader Austin Ulsh does this super cool thing called keys for the journey where you can ask to get a prophetic word put on a key necklace. Once you figure out what the word means or accomplish it, you give your key away to someone you feel called to give it too. I got the words “be present” on my key and I am fully prepared to do just that. I’m really excited to not have wifi for the first three month in Swazi. I think truly unplugging for the first time in my life will open my eyes to what it truly means to “be present.” To be fully present in what the Lord has for me in Swaziland whether it is with the precious children, my squad, or my own growth. To do this, I must first part ways with American soil and everything I know/am used to on it.
Dear you,
(you= everyone, family, teachers, coaches, WCA family, friends, Volleyball team, Publix People, my subscribes, etc.)
Thank you for playing your part in my journey. Whether that part was big or small, you have helped shaped me into the person I have become. God placed you where you are in my life for a reason. It makes my heart swell up with happiness as I am going back over the memories, and getting to see the Lord’s hand over our relationship. Whether you are young or old, I want to leave you with an encouragement to sink deep into the Lord’s purpose, and advance the kingdom right where you are. It really breaks my heart to leave you, and everything I know and love. Please know I am thinking about you, and praying for you even while I am on the race. A wise woman (my mom) once said don’t call it a “goodbye”, but a “see you later”. So no sad goodbye, only see you later<3.
With all my heart,
Joy 🙂
