It’s been a huge year!!
Anyone who I’ve been in contact with knows how much I’ve changed and how much God has affected me! So much has happened these last couple years, and even in just the last few months.
SO HOW I GOT STARTED WITH THE WORLD RACE:
In October 2015, I was laying in bed and looking for mission trips online because God was just putting it on my heart. I discovered the World Race and felt a passion about it, like THIS is something I want to do! I really believed that it was meant to be in my future, I imagined it to be way off, maybe something to do with my future husband someday or something like that. I knew I was in no way ready for a huge mission like that, so the idea was logged away in my mind.
Over the last year, I continually prayed, “God direct me, help me decide what to go back to school for, what career is right for me, where I should move. God lead my path and show me what to do next because nothing seems right and I just cannot decide.”
Throughout the year, I’ve had some inklings of what my masters degree could be in, or what careers I would maybe want in the future, but nothing just felt right.
One Sunday, at church, I get talking with someone I had not really met before, named Lindsay. I asked her about a little heart tattoo on her hand, and she said she got it while on The World Race. I immediately was interested, and she offered to meet up for coffee sometime. Later that week, I was hanging out with my sister and I told her how I was interested in the World Race, and about meeting Lindsay. We looked up the upcoming January route and the deadline had passed the day before! Then within 24 hours, I got an email saying that the deadline had been extended. I began praying earnestly about if this was for me or not, and I kept feeling a “yes” despite how huge and crazy the idea was. Different things I felt were pointing me in the direction of “This is for you!” I began the application process, and contacted Lindsay to take her up on the coffee date. We met at Magpie Cafe and talked for a couple hours. I never stopped just asking questions. From what was the worst experiences, best, what did you miss most, what was coming home like, what was available, what was your squad like, did you see any miracles, etc.
A few weeks later, I was told that I had been accepted to go on the January route, but that I would have to leave for training camp in only more than a week! I knew at that time that I just wasn’t supposed to be leaving so soon. It would have been bad timing in a few ways, and I just didn’t have peace about it! I immediately called my mom, who said I could move home, and by waiting till August, I have a while to fundraise and prepare mentally, as well as finish up different things going on at home! I will be going on something I’ve really prepared for.
I’m still so in awe of this huge decision, but I know God is with me every step of the way. I’ve already seen signs that I’m in God’s will here and that my needs will be provided for. I cannot wait to see this unfold!!
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
-Isaiah 41:10
