First off I would just like to apologize for my lack of love on my blog this past month, but to make up for it I present to you a cool story, bro:
So I have sort of been putting off purchasing my gear for the race, simply because it is such a big purchase. I’ve done endless research looking at different brands, styles and price comparisons. But even still as I made my first trip to REI (an outdoors store) I walked in feeling out of my element and a bit intimidated. It seems silly that I would be nervous about buying a tent or sleeping bag, but these items are to be my bed and housing for the nine months. So as I stepped in the doors of REI, I said a simple prayer: ” Lord, guide me to a sales associate that is knowledgable and patient.”
I made my way over to the day packs to look for the Osprey pack I have had my eye on; a sales associate approaches me and offers to have me fitted in the pack. A flow of conversation is started and within a few moments the sales associate stops with this quirky little grin on her face. I let out a giggle then ask if there is a problem. She says, “are you doing GapYear?” BOOM! my stomach hits the floor. I told her yes and ask how she knows about GapYear. She replied that she had done GapYear two years earlier. BOOM! my stomach hits the floor again. Can’t even help but grin from ear to ear. The Lord is so amazing and humorous in the way He orchestrates things. Not only did He lead me to a knowledgeable sales associate but she had also taken the same journey I am about to embark on. She was able to offer key pointers on some of the gear as well as some words of encouragement that did my heart good.
Thank you dear Father for caring for your children so tenderly and for continuous guiding me as I prepare for this amazing journey.
