"God does not call the equiped. He equips the called."
So here's a before-and-after thought process to chew on.
March 14, 2013
One year ago today, I was accepted to the World Race January 2013 Route 2!
I was at work at Snowbird when I found out I was going for sure. I realized my life was about to change drastically. I feared but was thirsty for change. For newness. This meant leaving everything I knew behind.
Today I'm sitting on the beach in Chincha Atla, Peru. I anticipated being in Bolivia this month but God had other plans. So here I am, on month 3 of the World Race, having been saved, redeemed, broken, brought back to life, and now living with God's incredible spirit within me.
I was confused by God, why I was being drawn into this adventurous mission. What will the people going with me look like? Are they going to be Bible-thumping maniacs? Will I be able to relate to any of them on any level at all? Will they understand my questioning nature?
Today, I have a squad of 54 and 3 leaders that have invested in me fully. My team is solid ground on which I can stand. I can depend on them to take care of me, help me through impossible struggles, and to speak life into me daily. They remind me who I really am, how important and valued I am.
What was I going to do without the first world luxuries that I NEED?! I'll be missing a whole ski season, I don't have dance, I won't have my oh so treasured alone time and deliciously comfortable bed. Reliable internet… Clean bathrooms… What will I do?! I'll miss all the concerts at the Salt Haus and other awesome venues in Salt Lake.
My teammates have been nothing but eager to listen to me gush about my home.How much I love it there.
They want to learn west coast swing. They want to come visit and snowboard with me some day. And they fully understand and even have the same needs I do for alone time.
I've had plenty of time to zone out,
isolate, or plug in.
The lack of internet had provided time to know my team better and I still manage to Skype my family more than I thought would be possible.
Not to mention we have frequent dance parties.
Bathrooms ain't no thang.
I'll survive.
<<<<(Meg washing my hair because cold showers kill me and I hadn't washed my hair in a week)
Will I be too emotional? Am I too bogged down with baggage? I'm the most spiritually weak person on this squad… Am I too loud? Will I be Christian enough for them? What about my doubts? Will they be able to handle me?
I am 100% supported. God took care of my heaviest burdens in big ways. My questions are welcomed and respected. Who I am is enough. I am a delight to have around. My deep curiosity for in-depth answers is appreciated and challenges others in their faith. My upfrontness and openness from the start has brought courage out in others to share their stories too. 
My team prays in a different position every time.
"I'm so excited and blessed to be able to love You in this way!"
-Catherine (who can't play the guitar)
Why is God doing this to me now? I don't understand where He's going with this, I don't even like Him all that much but I guess I'll go along with it… What must I sacrifice for this? I like the way I'm living, kind of. I like my comforts.
How blessed I am to serve a God that chases after me. He wants me. He is jealous for me. So deeply in love with me. I don't need to give anything up and am being offered life every day. I mean, REAL LIFE.
So for the few out there that are in a similar boat, trying to decide if the Race is really what you're cut out for and aren't sure if it's God at all that's sparking your curiosity in this thing… It is God. He's chasing you. And I advise that you jump into whatever it is that He's pulling you into. You won't regret it.
