“It’s this really cool thing called World Race” Sarah Anne explained to us as her face lit up and her body language began to exude excitement “you travel to 11 different countries in 11 months”
I swear my heart skipped a beat just hearing about it.
As she began to explain more and more about this Adventures in Missions program I began to get just as excited as she was!
Then she said you had to be 21….
My heart sank a little knowing it would be at least four years until I could even sign up, but the excitement was still there! We then talked about doing it together when we both graduated college and how neat it would be to be on the same team again and travel together as any one would do.
Fast forward three years to August 2013.
I finally turn 21 and now only talking about World Race occasionally to people and thinking about it has turned into seriously considering going.
As August turns into september I find myself visiting the website occasionally and checking out the other mission trips Adventures in Missions provides.
Then as time goes on by the end of october i’m officially blog stalking current World Racers on the field and staying up until 3 in the morning reading, or scrolling and creeping through their instagram pictures.
Everything within me wanted so badly to be where they were but I could not shake the voice in my head that told me “I have to finish school.”
My heart just could not take it anymore.
At 3 am on night after reading countless blogs I clicked the ‘apply’ button.
I began to fill out every box and hit ‘Submit’.
“Well… This is it. I did it. I have officially applied to leave in September… You know what you’re doing God, right?”
*Commence freak out mode.*
“WHAT ON EARTH DID I JUST DO.”
So as anyone would do, I called my sister.
After telling her all that I had done she simply replied “Well, I mean, You know that’s God’s will for you, what’s the big deal?”
“THE BIG DEAL” the voice in my head kept saying “IS THAT I’M GOING TO LEAVE SCHOOL FOR A YEAR”
She still didn’t find that as big of a deal as I did, but then again I hold education at a different level than she does…
I proceeded to then tell two more people.
My friend Sarah Anne (who is currently on the field right now! Go check her out! http://sarahanneedwards.theworldrace.org )
and one of my mentors.
Neither of which were able to respond before the interview so clearly I had to tell just a couple of close friends and mentors.
notice I didn’t tell mom anywhere in this, this is relevant to this next sequence (SORRY MOM)
flash forward to Christmas-
Every year my mom does an INCREDIBLE job of making Christmas happen for my sister and me. I honestly don’t know how she pulled of such amazing Christmas’ as a single mom of two girls, but she did. And i’m forever grateful for all of the memories and sacrifices i’m sure she had to make to get everything to come together. (Love you mom!)
It’s the same routine every year-
Stockings
presents
‘big’ present
This year though was a little different. Our ‘big’ present this year was not big in size as it usually is, but it was most definitely the most heartfelt!
As she hands us each an envelope my mind begins to wander what the envelope held that would qualify it as the ‘big’ present.
My first thought was “DISNEY CRUISE?!”
but what I got was better.
MUCH better.
and for those of you who know my love for anything Disney, that’s a PRETTY big deal!
I open the letter to find a picture that says ‘WORLD RACE’ at the top. (remember, she doesn’t know i’ve already applied at this point)
-insert large forms of water beginning to swell in eyes-
“My dearest Kalie,
As I thought about what’s more important to you this christmas, I thought about how your soul lights up overtime you talk about serving in the World Race. (tears are flowing) God has given you a heart of compassion for others and the desire to serve those who are in need. (and full on bawling) I’ve decided to give a money gift to put towards your World Race fund, although the timing has not yet been revealed to you. -Jeremiah 29:11. As God continues to prepare you I will continue to contribute $50 each month and pray specifically over you in this mission. Here is $100 to get you started. Merry Christmas!!
So at this point i’m sure most of you assumed that I came clean and told her that I already applied and i’m waiting for an interview….
BUT
because I was pretty much sobbing it took a little time to get myself back together and exchanged a look with my sister that meant “i’m still not ready to tell her yet” (again, sorry mom)
You see, for whatever reason I feel as if I pretty much have to have a definite answer for myself before I fill mom in on things.
Same thing happened with Russia, I waited until I had already been accepted to tell her that her first born child was going to leave the country for a month for the first time ever…
I guess you can call it my ‘rebellious’ side xD
skip forward to the day of the interview
I’m about two hours before the interview I call up one of my mentors to let her know what’s going on and after a couple of questions she says ‘ WHAT. YOU HAVEN’T TOLD YOUR MOTHER YET??’ (as any good mentor would do)
and then she tells me “Kalie, No good will come of this until you tell your mother.”
great.
“really? an hour before my interview you’re going to tell me this? oh goodness. FINE. I’ll call her right now.”
So then I leave a lovely voice mail for my mom that says “Hey mom, just wanted to let you know that i’m about to have a phone interview and i’ll talk to you later”
that counts right?
After the interview mom calls me back and asks how it went and who it was for and I told her it was for World Race.
My expectation would be that she would have a slight freak out moment, but she was surprisingly calm! (good job mom!)
So here I am, officially accepted into the World Race!
