*Written on January 24, 2017
100 Things I Have Learned On The World Race
1. I have learned that I am not defined by my circumstances.
2. I have learned that He will never leave.
3. I have learned what it means to be a child of God.
4. I learned how to make a mentally challenged girl laugh.
5. I learned how to swing dance.
6. I learned special needs kids love to be loved.
7. I learned jumping in puddles is one of my favorite things.
8. I learned what I am supposed to do after the race.
9. I learned what God’s goodness is.
10. I learned to recognize God’s goodness.
11. I learned I have a heart for orphans.
12. I learned my limits.
13. I learned how to love even when I don’t want to.
14. I learned to eat foods I don’t like.
15. I learned and mastered the Asian squat.
16. I learned what holy spirit filled worship looks like.
17. I learned that my bed time is 8 PM.
18. I learned my favorite, most intimate time with Jesus is coffee in the morning.
19. I learned that giving and receiving letters of encouragement is my love language.
20. I learned what living with 50 other people looks like.
21. I learned that walking every day is really good for you.
22. I learned how to hand wash clothes.
23. I learned that in order not to be hand fed, I have to eat everything on my plate.
24. I learned what Texas pride is.
25. I learned the race is nothing like training camp.
26. I learned what missing someone so much it make me sick feels like. (shout out to Day)
27. I learned what it is like to be a teacher.
28. I learned what changing a 20 year old’s diaper is like.
29. I learned what good community is like.
30. I learned what fishin’ in India is like.
31. I learned that all great things begin with the unknown.
32. I learned I am beautifully broken.
33. I learned that I love essential oils.
34. I learned that fighting for people means pursuing them.
35. I learned to keep adding to my “picture perfect moments” list
36. I learned that some places scare me.
37. I learned to forgive.
38. I learned to trust.
39. I learned that people will be there to help me through my worst moments.
40. I learned to let people be there for me.
41. I learned to choose in.
42. I learned that most of the best days start off unplanned.
43. I learned that greasy hair is still fabulous.
44. I learned that it is nearly impossible to talk to your best friend when you are both on the race.
45. I learned that God is good all the time and all the time, He is good.
46. I learned I am good at hiding things.
47. I learned I don’t need a phone.
48. I learned that for a no nail polish girl, I love nail polish.
49. I learned I love to write.
50. I learned how to teach with no plan.
51. I learned that re-piercing your ears with an earing in the middle of Ecuador may not be the safest, but makes for a good story.
52. I learned bucket showers will never get easier.
53. I learned the hardest times produce the most growth.
54. I learned to always keep a pen and paper with me.
55. I learned that rainstorms are the best.
56. I learned I love to look at the stars.
57. I learned I love silence.
58. I learned that authentic Indian food and what the US thinks is Indian food are very different.
59. I learned to step back and let others take care of things.
60. I learned that kids never seem to get tired of the same three songs.
61. I learned what poverty looks like in other countries.
62. I learned that bamboo makes really hot fires.
63. I learned how to make brooms.
64. I learned that living out of a backpack is not hard.
65. I learned that even though I am living out of a backpack, I have a lot of stuff.
66. I learned who my inner circle people are.
67. I learned that I don’t mind only having three sets of clothes.
68. I learned to sit in wonder of the Lord.
69. I learned that quiet time is so important for me.
70. I learned to be thankful in hard situations.
71. I learned that CIPRO is a God send.
72. I learned that a good sleeping bag and pad make for a pretty good nights rest.
73. I learned that letters from home help me get through some days.
74. I learned what a Godly man looks like.
75. I learned what good friends look like.
76. I learned to never take a western toilet for granted.
77. I learned that my squad leaders are pretty great people full of wisdom.
78. I learned that once you are part of Gap J, you are always part of Gap J.
79. I learned what it is like to have someone cry with you.
80. I learned who two of my best friends are.
81. I learned that reading the Bible through is hard but so possible.
82. I learned what it is like to take 6 planes to get somewhere.
83. I learned that I can sleep on 10 hour bus rides.
84. I earned what it is like to have men in India throw things at you because they think they deserve a picture.
85. I learned what it is like riding the C5 in Quito with all my gear.
86. I learned that old people love to dance.
87. I learned that old people also love to grab your butt.
88. I learned what it is like to stop cursing to help a team mate.
89. I learned that the race is different for everyone.
90. I learned to jump at opportunities to go on field trips because you get to see some of the most beautiful things.
91. I learned that clogged up squaty potties are the most disgusting things.
92. I learned that home sickness is such a real things.
93. I learned that prayer moves mountains.
94. I learned that people have stories that need to be heard.
95. I learned that my teacher at Camp Hope, Betty, is amazing.
96. I learned that my mom and brother are my most favorite people.
97. I learned a lot about adoption.
98. I learned that 100 days goes by slow individually, but zooms by as a whole.
99. I learned to embrace every single moment.
100. I learned that this whole World Race thing is so hard but seeing God’s hands at work in everything is such a beautiful thing.
