Today is the day. I have been anticipating this day since the beginning of January, and now I am sitting in the airport in Atlanta thinking back over how my life has transformed since sending in my World Race Application.
The beginning of this year I was challenged to step out and finally act on a item that has been on my Life Bucket List for the past few years. Something that I was fearful to say yes to because I didn’t want to raise the support, I didn’t want to give up a year that I could have used pursuing a career, and I didn’t want to surrender to what I know is going to be the hardest year of my life. But at the same time, I know it will be the best year of my life.
So THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to my supporters who have allowed me to go and be a part of this adventure. I literally could not have gone without you sending me. The money and prayers that you all have gifted to me has filled my heart with more joy than you could ever imagine. I hope I am able to keep you guys updated as much as possible to show you all of what your support is allowing me to do.
As I was thinking over this next year I know that I will miss many important events in my family and friends’ lives. So I just want to let you all know I do not take that lightly. I will very much wish I could be there to celebrate with you. I will miss birthdays (which are my all time favorite things to celebrate), multiple great friends of mine getting married, a couple best friends to get engaged, Christmas in New Jersey with all of my giant and wonderful family, and most importantly my little sister Cari graduating from college.
I will miss Gator football, December in Florida (my favorite month of the whole year), ICEES, solitary runs/work outs, coffee shop dates, wearing Nike shorts, Hot showers, driving my own car, bathrooms with toilet paper, and, of course, Disney World (you all saw that last one coming). #FloridaResident
But for how much I am going to miss, I know I am to gain so much more. I am going to be challenged and broken this year only to be built back up to make me see who I was created to be. I get to spend a year with the one who calls me His Beloved and I am beyond stoked for what is to come. As well, talk about an adventure of a lifetime .
My first stop will be in Marikaj, Albania serving Hope for the World Albania. We will be helping with their children’s program, telling Bible stories, sharing our testimonies in groups with teens of the Hope Center, sharing the Gospel in the neighborhood, and meeting parents that bring their kids to the children’s program. The list is not limited to just that but can include so much more once we get there and see how we can best serve our hosts.
Family and Friends you CAN still contact me though!
E-mail is the best communication tool to me. I would love to hear from any or all of you, so send your love my way [email protected] !!!
I will not be able to use my phone much, it will be in airplane mode for the next 11 months so I will only have access to it while in WiFi. And even then I do not plan on using it very much.
Skype is always a fun adventure for me to attempt so if you want a face-to-face date with me e-mail me so we can set that up too! That would make me very happy.
Unfortunately I cannot receive letters or packages since by the time it would get to me I would most likely be gone to the next country by then. I’m very sad about that one.
Facebook through messaging and my group page (Kelly Anne’s World Race!) is also a great way, as I will check those when I have internet
And as always, you can always reach me on my banana phone. It gets horrible service (especially when I’m hungry) and I look ridiculous using it though.
So with a full heart and feet that are ready to get moving, I’m off to Albania!
