It’s Month 11. Which means that it is the last month on the Race. And I go home in 27 days… I am officially going to be home in less than a month.
You may be wondering what I am feeling and if I’m excited or sad? To be honest with you all… I am feeling everything. There are many thoughts running through my mind and many things that I am thinking.
It’s a proven fact that each person thinks about 40 thoughts per minute. I think my thoughts have about doubled this month. This year was not a little mission trip to travel around the World and serve in each country. It was a huge year of my life, where I have learned a lot, seen a lot, experienced God’s love in unimaginable ways, met hundreds of people, slept in weird places, prayed under the stars in Africa and played with elephants in Asia. I have been blessed to have this year. But also am feeling the weight of leaving to go home, also feeling the weight of when I left 10 months ago.
It’s a lot… the World Race, it’s a lot to process, a lot of joy, a lot of tears, a lot of prayers, a lot of people, a lot of worship, a lot of countries, a lot of different foods, a lot of Churches, a lot of different homes. It’s a lot. A lot of it is good and a lot of it is hard. I guess that’s what makes life beautiful though! It’s never easy, but it’s always worth it.
I want to share a few of the thoughts that are going through my mind. This may be a lot or overwhelming, but like I said we all have about 40 thoughts per minute.
Wow this year was amazing. But it was also hard, was it worth it? Of course it was worth it. I wouldn’t trade this year for the World. But I miss my family and my friends. Did I grow a lot this year? Will my friends still want to be friends when I get home? Will my friends from the Race still call me? I love my friends from the Race, I’m so glad I got to meet all of them. This community is what God wants for us. He wants us to love one another and challenge each other. But challenge is hard, come on Sam you’re an athlete and hardworker, you love challenge. The World Race is ending? Ohhh but finally it’s over, I’m tired. But God gives me strength, he will not leave me ever. But sometimes I’m really tired, especially now. I want a hot shower and a warm bed. Right now I’m sleeping in a bed with three people… what? Man is Uganda pretty, it’s soo beautiful. And our hosts are so kind, their faith is one that is moving mountains. God give me faith!! Wait a sec I’m going home soon? I can’t wait to see my family! Do you think they will still like me? Of course they are my family… but I’m different now. Not totally different but I’ve grown a lot. I can’t wait for Starbucks and chipotle!!! Woohoo! But wait a second what is God’s plan for me next? But also I need to stay present here… how do I balance this? Wow look at that banana tree, that’s so cool. We don’t have many of those in America. America I’m coming for you in a few weeks. Will I still like America? I get to see my dog soon! And I love driving a car… but I’ll miss the adventure of the World Race. How blessed am I, some people don’t get to do this.
These are some of the thoughts going through my head. Yes they don’t make sense, but yes that’s what I’m thinking. I come home soon and I will probably be feeling all the things. I can’t wait to see everyone! But please give me Grace when I miss the World Race and the people I have met and the things I have experienced. I can’t wait to share it all with you and hear about your lives. Just know that I’m feeling a lot of things. And that’s okay! But I do care about all of you and am excited to see everyone back at home.
These thoughts are real and life is real.
See you soon America.
