I’m sitting at the airport in Atlanta, just one gate over from where we started this journey a year ago.
But this time, I’m walking through the airport alone. Without 40+ of my closest friends. And this time, I’m heading home.
My world race season is officially officially over.
For those who don’t know (for my lack of updates recently), I’m stateside. I’ve been home for a few weeks now and it’s a mixture of really weird and really good.
My last month in Vietnam was incredibly perfect. I fell in love with the country, the people, the culture, and the ministry.
I had heard of Vietnam often. My aunt having lived there when she was a child and my uncle having fought in the war.
Vietnam held a lot of weight in my heart. Weight that I didn’t know existed until my feet touched the ground.
I fell in love with Vietnam. In a way I can’t even begin to explain because words will never be enough. I pray often that the Lord sends me back there one day.
And maybe He will, maybe He won’t. But it will forever hold a place in my heart.
This past week, I was back in Georgia at the world race headquarters for what they call Project Searchlight, which is somewhat like a final final debrief for racers. A final wrap up to end this last month at home, ‘month 12’.
It’s completely optional, a chance to process what home is like. To see our people. And to hear more about different opportunities moving forward.
It was really good being back, but like usual – wasn’t totally what I expected.
There were some really good moments, some really hard but fruitful conversations, and some missed opportunities on my part.
And I’ve had to wrestle with that a lot as I move forward. But God continues to teach me some really big lessons through those experiences.
I still have no idea what I’m doing next. But I’m finally okay with not knowing.
To all of my supporters, thank you so much. You are the real MVP’s. I would not have been able to do this year without each and every one of you. And I will never be able to thank you enough.
Now that I’m home and have finally had a chance to catch my breath, I hope to put into words some more of the things I experienced this year. Because this year is an experience I never want to go untold.
