As there is less than a week away from training camp I have been reflecting on why I am here in the first place a lot. This was not my plan. I was not planning on going abroad for the next year, raising support or serving on a mission trip. In January when I was returning back to school for my last semester I was determined to find a job. I was on job websites every day applying to teaching jobs or non profit jobs in Seattle or San Diego! Though I found a couple of jobs which I thought would be interesting nothing was popping out at me. Now I wasn’t to worried because I trusted that God had a plan but it was still hard to see friend after friend getting a job and figuring out what grad school they were going to.
But the Lord is so faithful. Early in January a friend of mine was trying to figure out ways se could study abroad and I was trying to show her alternative ways. One of the options I gave here was the world race. I didn’t think much of it and kept up with the job search. Then in early March, I was sitting in Wheaton college chapel listening to our president, Dr Phil Ryken talk about God’s love. He was discussing how there are things in our lives which block us from God’s love. Through this talk God clearly spoke to me saying that maybe I needed to remove myself from my current situation to fully trust, love and serve God. I know my description is pretty lame but it was such a powerful moment, I was in complete awe and amazement and I wrote down in my journal “apply for the World Race”. After chapel I went straight back to my apartment, pulled out my computer and started looking at different World Race routes. Within a half hour I had picked the route I felt God was pointing me to and within a week I had submitted the application.
My change of focus for my future was quite a shock to me as well as my family. For once it looked like I was going to be pursuing a “normal life” with a “normal job” but the Lord obviously had other plans. In this quick change my parents had a hard time accepting the change but through the grace of God they both came to accept that this is where the Lord is calling me and is generally excited for me.
Now that training camp is less than a week away, everything is becoming so real! I have been fundraising, buying gear and telling my story over and over again but I don’t think I truly comprehended that I was going on the race but I am SOOOOO excited! USQUAD I am so stoked to meet you guys! Family and friends thank you for accepting me for who I am and allowing me to take you on this crazy journey with me!
