Let’s just put it this way… This last year was the hardest/most rewarding year of my whole life. As you know, we were world travellers. Traveling to the Philippines, Swaziland, and Nicaragua. Each country brought a whole new perspective on my life. Each team I was blessed to be apart of taught me so much. And every day was a step closer to God that I have never ever felt before. We met so many people, prayed with people, laughed with people, cried with people, were surrounded by the most wonderful communities, had our hearts stolen by the cute babies in the nursery, felt more loved then we ever had before, spent Christmas in Africa, got to experience languages, cultures, got to be apart of a wonderful thing called feedback with my squad mates, stayed up till 3am filled with laughter on our last night in Palacagunia, took kumbies up and down steep hills (we thought we were going to die) had our lives changed, made life long friends, and most of all, got to see Jesus in everything we were doing and seeing. It’s a year thats impossible to forget. I got to witness my squad of 38 stop and put everything aside from home and come on one of the most greatest journeys I’ve been on so far. I got to see them speak love wherever they went and truly give their life for others around them just like Jesus does and continues to do for us. It’s definitely hard being where I was 9 months ago after being completely inside and out changed by Jesus. It’s hard finding that community again. It’s hard knowing that everything you just experienced this year the people at home didn’t. But you know what, it’s going to be okay. This is a new season for all of us and we gotta make the best out of it as hard as that may be. Now towards the end of the trip the major topic was “What’s next for you?” and honestly, I didn’t know then and I don’t know now (I have ideas) and that’s okay. Slowly but surely figuring out my life after the Race. I was meant for something different. We were all meant for something different. We got to live that way of life and it’s hard to turn back from. God taught us there’s so much more out there. Something that I’ve thought for years but never was fully confident in it. He showed me that We Are Not The Only Ones On This Earth. He showed me that others suffer too. He showed me that it’s okay and good to be happy. He showed me that He could be me friend when I was missing my family. He gave me 38 beautiful squad mates to live with for nine months and taught me something from all. of. them. He gave me life long friends. He gave me hope. He gave me his ears when I needed someone to talk with. He gives me his hand everyday to walk long and tiring roads with. He showed us how much he loves us in the smiles of the children who have nothing. He kept us safe. He was so full of happiness knowing we came on this journey with Him, gave up the norm, and stepped into the unknown maybe even for once in our life, and put our full trust in him. He loves us. Each of you. Never let that leave your heart. Sometimes I forget it but after a year like this, I know it’s tattooed on my heart for eternity :^)
