Well, its over.
I am home. I mean, I’m in Lebanon. But what is home anymore? After traveling for nine months and having four different homes I have decided Jesus is home. Not even Lebanon. Not even my house that I have lived in for nineteen years. Not my bed. No, home is Jesus.
Thank you Jesus for always being home for me. For carrying me through every single season from the past nine months and every single goodbye, and seasons before that and seasons to come. Thank you for being my constant and security even when my physical home in the world is changing. Thank you for giving me people that are home, too.
Its been two full weeks since I landed in Cincinnati and ran into the arms of my boyfriend Joel, sister Taylor and my parents. I truly can not believe fourteen days has been passed since I was with my squad. It has been quite the odd adjustment, living with people 24/7 for nine months then all of sudden not being with any of them. Especially weird being away from my best friend Anna. I saw her every single day of the entire race. And now we are both “home.” The top two hardest goodbyes on my race were saying goodbye to India and beautiful family there and in the airport in Miami saying goodbye to my squad, team, and very best friends. It was a funny picture seeing me drag me big pack on the ground while I was running to recheck my bag while crying all alone… Those first few moments of being all alone for there first time (no more buddy rule) are moments I will never be able to describe.
For future racers or current racers or people that are close to a racer: the biggest thing you need to know about coming home is you will need grace for others and they will need grace for you. Coming home to people that do not understand and then a lot of people that do not care is hard. Hold tightly onto the people that care and have grace for the people that don’t know what to ask. No one else has experienced what you just experienced. Drop the expectations of what “home” and “normalcy” should be and seek after Christ in everything you do. Seek His people the exact same way you did on the mission field. Treat your job or home or the grocery store as ministry, because well, everything is ministry when we allow it.
These are all things I am learning and preaching at myself. It’s different, not living with 40 others all my age anymore. It’s weird having access to my car which gives me access to anything and anywhere.
Coming back to Lebanon and ending the race has been full of excitement and sadness, joy and grief, laughter and crying. It is a lot of overwhelming emotions at once. It already feels crazy to look back on this joinery and say with confidence, “Thank you Jesus for being faithful and carrying me through that season.” Only because of relying on His strength and trusting His faithfulness did I get through that! I can not explain the blessings that I experienced. I know now more than ever that saying yes to Jesus and being obedient is the BEST decision you can ever make in your life!
Going forward I am beyond excited to continue listening to His voice and saying yes to any adventure He has planned for my life next. Maybe it will be crazy or maybe it will be simple, wherever God is, I will follow.
I love answering questions about the Race and greatly desire that! Please feel free to talk to me! I have an endless amount of testimonies to share.
Jesus,
Thank you for calling me to a life bigger than anything I could have dreamed. Thank you that this adventure doesn’t end just because the Race did. I pray I would never forget the ways you moved in my heart for nine months and the ways you moved in the people and places around me. I pray that now, even though I am home, I would continue to see your beauty and love in everything. I pray my focus would always be on your will and your people and not on myself. Lord, everyday remind me of your goodness, I never want to forget the things you have taught me. Continue to teach me, Lord, I am a vessel ready to be used to spread your Gospel. I pray my testimony and life point people only to you, Jesus. Thank you for breaking my heart for the nations of Swaziland, Nepal, India, and Guatemala. Thank you for choosing me to leave home for nine months to serve you. Oh how I love you Lord!
Amen!
To every single supporter and friend in my life,
I could not have done this without you. Your support, prayers, and friendship has meant so much to my heart. God has used you to help me in this season! I think one of the biggest blessings God ever gave us was each other and I am so thankful I have you!! For the people that have read all my blogs or most of my blogs—wow, extra thank you to you. That means more than you will ever know.
Always feel free to reach out to me about what this journey has been like! I love coffee and I love walks! Let’s make it a date.
I can not express my gratitude enough. Thank you. I love you all.
So much love,
Lexi Marshall
As this journey officially comes to a close with my very last blogs (oh sad day..), ways you can pray for me:
- I need a mentor!!!!
- That I would listen to my needs and not overbook myself as I am still adjusting
- Adjusting is hard, I need some grace and sometimes some encouragement (so just prayer for my heart and spirit)
Thank you World Race for the past year + journey of seeking God and loving His people of all nations.
Now, onto my next adventure!
