It’s been one of those days. You know the kind: rainy and cold, wrapped up in an oversized sweater and tangled blanket. My company has been stomach pains and untamable hair that refuses to stay in its bun on the top of my head. Made better by being called “love” by the South African doctor and reading my blogger crush, Hannah Brencher.
Life has a way of being unpredictable, doesn’t it? Funny since we think we have it so under control. Things that seem so normal at times—phone data plans, a car, fifteen options of organic apples—are quickly stripped from your life in the name of travel, ministry and backpacking.
I’m nearly halfway done with the World Race. That excites me, but mostly terrifies me. The more days I’m away from home, the deeper into this life I swim, the more I want it. I’m not sure when in the timeline or where in the world I made the transition, but this life has become normal.
Going shopping and asking myself, “Do I have enough room in my pack for this? Will I make it under the 50 pound weight limit at the airport?” is normal (I tend to justify when it comes to clothes, however).
Not wearing makeup or doing my hair has become normal (see above statement about my bun mayhem).
Falling in love with kids of different culture, color and language has become normal.
Having dirty, calloused feet has become normal; and having to wipe them off every night before sticking them in my sleeping bag, that’s become too normal.
But I love it. I get excited about the challenges, the growth, the new places to see and new people to meet. I have more words swirling in my head than ever before due to the inspiration of this beautiful world, and more songs to write and sing thanks to my cheap ukulele from Nepal.
It started last month. Dreaming. Thinking beyond the World Race. What life after this will be like, how it will roll. Granted, we talk about America and home at least every day, if not multiple times a day. Coming into the Race, I had no idea how my life would be lived after this whirlwind of adventure, and six months later, I still don’t have a clear idea. But one thing I do know: I don’t ever want this to end.
I don’t want to go home and get comfortable.
I don’t want excess, a plethora of options.
I don’t want steady, monotonous routine.
I don’t want small glimpses of the Holy Spirit.
I don’t want an empty journal or a silent song.
The human in me is a bit nervous as to how the next chapter will unfold, and what color pen will be chosen to record its events, but I’m choosing to stay present. I have five and a half months left of this hard-pressed, beautiful journey and I want to bask in it as much as I can.
I do need your help to do that, however. I’m quickly approaching the final deadline on January first. I still need roughly $3,200; otherwise I will be sent home. I have already been so humbled and blessed by the amount of support I’ve received really this entire past year in 2014. I can’t thank you enough for being a part of this Race and for blowing my expectations already. You will never know the ways you have blessed me through your prayers, love and support.
Here’s to more dreaming, to more laughter lines, to more made-up ukulele songs. (And if I’m not careful, you might just hear one of those songs).
To give a tax-deductible gift, please click on the “Support Me” link to the left and give directly to my Adventures in Missions account online
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Mail it to: Adventures In Missions
PO Box 742570
Atlanta, GA 30374-2570
