I have now been in America for 18 days. Two and a half weeks. It’s felt like so much longer.
It’s felt so hard. It’s been so rewarding.
I remember when my squad landed at JFK airport. We had been awake for over 24 hours and had withstood a middle-of-the-night bus ride, a campout on an Albanian airport floor, and two flights. Compared to some of our other travel days, this was nothing. But on top of our “normal” travel day exhaustion was an emotional heaviness and the crazy truth that we were going home.
Walking off the plane, I was giddy. American soil, I thought. Crazy. We waited for the rest of our group and then ventured together through customs where I was greeted with a smile and a “Welcome home, Katherine.” The word “home” sounded funny.
I don’t think reality sunk in for me until we were all at baggage claim. Some members of our squad had connecting flights to catch right away, grabbing their bags off the conveyor belt and waving goodbye. Others were being picked up from the airport. It was a chaotic few minutes of jumbled hugs with giant packs and “I’ll miss you’s “. And then most everyone had dispersed. The space around me felt empty.
I stayed in NYC for a couple days with some of my dearest friends on the squad, and I’m so thankful I did. We got much needed rest (despite our bodies wanting to wake us up at 4 am!), explored the city a bit, and got to eat a REAL AMERICAN CHEESEBURGER. Wow. It was a lot of fun and provided some time and space for my heart and mind to calm down.
Then I flew to the great state of Kentucky 😉
I remember getting off the plane and walking down the long terminal to baggage claim, knowing the exact spot where my family would be waiting for me. I was emotional before I even saw them. Next thing I know, I’m hugging my mom and literally sobbing. The strangest mixture of excitement, longing, love and loss flooded my heart, and I couldn’t contain it. We went directly to eat Mexican food, though, so that was incredible. And I mean, incredible.
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Life back here in the states is so so good because I’m surrounded by the people I love. And who love, care for, and support me so stinkin well. I sleep in my bedroom, alone. In a real, comfy bed. I have a car to drive around whenever I want. Things are familiar. I’ve spent the past year with everything being foreign and brand new. Some days it feels almost too familiar, as if I never left. As if the race was actually a dream, and I’ve snapped back to reality. I literally have to remind myself that that’s not true. That I lived life for 11 months in 11 different countries. My experiences were real. The people I met are real. The radical love of God is real.
Now, being back in America is also real. Wow, still crazy. I’m spending this first month or so back traveling to different states, getting to be with my people. Sweet, sweet reunions. Thank you, Jesus!
I’m still not certain where I’ll end up or what exactly I’ll be doing, but I’ve got some ideas 🙂 I’m confident that the Lord has such good plans in store, and I’m excited to see them unfold!
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Really, I just want to say a big thank you.
To my friends and family, you’ve made coming home the greatest joy! Thank you for encouraging, motivating and keeping up with me while I was gone.
To my supporters, thank you for your obedience to the gospel. Thank you for sending me. Being a steward of your gifts was such a privilege. The Kingdom of God is larger and stronger because of you.
To my sweet J Church, you all are my family now and forevermore. I miss you something fierce but am excited to see where God takes each and every one of you. Thank you for taking care of me, for serving alongside me in joy and determination. Thank you for reflecting Jesus to me and everyone we met along the way. Whatever state (or country) you’re in, just know I’m sending my love to you. Literally couldn’t have done this journey without ya.
And to the Lord my God, thank you. For your unfailing love, solid foundation, constant protection, and the scary awesome calling to do the race in the first place. I pray you’ll continue to lead me into deeper waters with you.
As always, all my love,
K
