My journey to the World Race probably started in August. My plan at the time was to move back to Fort Worth where I had received a letter of intent from the school district, but as I have come to learn, life plans always change. I was offered a position at Windsor High school in CO, and with only a couple weeks until schools started up and things in TX still unsettled I took the job. That same day I got a call from an old friend, he was just accepted to the World Race, and was quitting his job to travel around the world for a year. News like this from anyone would have been shocking, but from him… not so much. He and I share a passion for travel, and he was in the habit of jumping on a plane at a moments notice. I was excited for him, but mostly I was jealous. My plan was to work for two years to get enough experience to get a job teaching abroad, so I was bound to be state side for another two years!
Did I mention yet that in life plans always change…
As a first year teacher my one year contract is up for renewal each spring. Due to the economy, teaching jobs were been cut in all the surrounding districts, so if I was non-renewed I knew it would be tough to find a job. So when my mom and I were considering the possibility of me not being renewed she made the suggestion that I do the World Race, and my thought was “that is exactly what I will do”, but we both thought that was not likely. I found out at the end of March was not renewed. After a long year of challenges and hard work, it was really discouraging. I was not excited at the prospect of doing the World Race either. I was in a relationship and just starting to get settled in some friendships. Plus I am not that girl who camps, and doesn’t mind being sweaty all the time, so it reallly wasn’t what I wanted to do. But as my hurt feelings over getting non-renewed were healing I started thinking about it more. I told my friend who was on the race that I was thinking about it more, but that I didn’t think I was the kind of girl who could do it, and he told me I absolutley was. Then my Great Grandmother past away at the age of 102. At her funeral people shared about what a women of God she was and it just made me think about my life in the last year, and how I wanted to make changes in my pursuit of Him, so that people would say the same of me one day.I also started to think of how easy my life is, and has always been. I have never had to struggle, and that has given me this sense of independence from God as if I don’t need Him. I knew that the WR could staighten that out right quick! So for the first time since I was non-renewed I wanted to do the World Race.
There were still things in my life that I didn’t want to give up, so I prayed for God to begin closing doors where they needed to be closed so that I would know where he wanted me to be. He did just that. I applied to the race, and on the same day that I was accepted I also found out about a teaching job that would be perfect for me and I would actually have a shot at. But when the job was released it was only available to internal candidates. The relationship I was in ended, and decision time was here. So as I looked back at the closed doors in Fort Collins, I knew that He had led me to the place to accept the World Race and chase after His plans for me across the globe. Now as His plans have become mine, I know that as I plan my way he will establish my steps (proverbs 16:9).
