I have a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that I’ll be back in America in 2 weeks.
Fourteen days.
This chapter of my life is coming to a fast close.
My World Race journey started back in November of 2013 when I first applied and was accepted. Yes, that long ago. It feels like a lifetime really.
Now it’s July 2015, and that means it’s actually time for me to start talking about life after the race. *gasp* I think I’ve been in denial for a bit about the fact that there is such a thing as life after the race. For so long I was preparing for the race, and then I was on the race living a radical, incredible life—Asia seemed like something in the far off distance.
How in the world do I have about a week left of ministry left in Vietnam and my final debrief on the horizon? Oh man. Time flies.
Allow me to explain how my decision came about. I actually felt the Lord put on my heart what my next step was back at the end of Zambia. Our bus broke down on the side of a dirt road in Africa, and I was having a conversation about camp with my team. During our conversation I felt the Holy Spirit give me a nudge and I remembered my conversation I had with Pastor Tracy the previous summer.
During my short stay in Livingstone, Zambia where our squad met up to see Victoria Falls and cross into Zimbabwe, I had the opportunity to talk with Pastor Tracy from Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp. I just felt even more confirmation that this was the next step for me.
Drum roll please….
I’m excited to announce that I will be serving at Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp in Crystal Falls, Michigan starting in September!
I’m beyond excited to combine my passions for business and ministry and serve at FLLC in this way. I’ve attended FLLC as a camper, worked during the summer as a Camp Counselor, and now I’ll be able to serve for an entire year doing what I love.
So to bring everyone up to date, I fly back to America on July 25th. I’ll be traveling around the mainland for the month of August and I start work in the beginning of September. This means I won’t be going home to Hawaii during my transition from this season to my next season.
I do plan on going home though in the beginning of December to spend time with my family, friends, and run the Honolulu Marathon once again! Other than that, my next adventure with God involves me living in Michigan.
I can’t wait to serve at FLLC, spend time with my siblings and grandparents, experience the four seasons (it’s on my wanderlist!), and grow deeper with the Lord.
This decision really put me in the position of choosing between comfort and security versus being uncomfortable and taking a leap of faith once again. I honestly couldn’t be logical about it all. I was offered several incredible opportunities that blew me away and I had to pray and work through each offer.
However, after a year like this, the sky is the limit for me. I can say that I truly trust that if it’s in God’s perfect and pleasing path for me, no matter how crazy it may seem, I know it’ll come to fruition and will be a wonderful ride.
Honestly, it came down to peace. Peace in my heart and soul about what I should do.
I had to just sit down and allow all those arguments in my head about what I should do, what makes the most “sense” in my mind, my pros and cons list, to slowly fade into the background. It was reminiscent of my decision to break off my engagement and do the Race after I graduated from college. It didn’t make any sense, but I knew it was the next step for me.
I prayed for peace.
And you know what? The Lord graced me with a peace that surpasses all understanding when it came to FLLC.
Looking back…wow. Yeah, it was uncomfortable. It was scary. It was hard. But I got to LIVE life. I’ve seen what a life radically lived out looks like. I’ve tasted and seen God’s goodness and love around the world.
I’m never going back to ordinary.
Ever.
And if I do, please someone slap me and then direct me back on the path to extraordinary.
Cheers to a new season just around the corner!
