It has been long days and a fast month since being accepted on the race. One time about a week ago in our team chat we talked about things we would miss while on the trip. which got me thinking about the things I was going to miss.
like sleeping in my bed.
warm showers …or just showers instead of a bucket or river.
American food.
seeing people, I know just about everywhere I go in town.
taking Hannah to practice.
working at the church.
missing big events like people moving, birthdays holidays, and graduations.
but this week it hit me that this is real. A whole year around the world. and here is why it hit me. we have a family small group and this week it was at our house. all the kids wanted to go to the park because it was a beautiful Sunday evening. My not so little sister Hannah 17 wanted to listen to music on her phone and asked me to find her some headphones that fit. she sang the whole way to the park time and her voice never sounded better. Hannah has always walked a little bit slower than the rest and this month I have been moving at light speed going from one thing to the next. (I have to raise money, find gear, read books, go to the DR, get shots, take Hannah to volleyball, and work at church,) and when Hannah was walking at Hannah’s pace. most days I can’t stand going slow I want to keep up with everyone but not this time here she is with headphones and singing without a care in the world. So I stayed and held her hand and I walked at Hannah’s pace no telling her to hurry or run. I loved and held tightly on to every moment of the walk. Hannah has taught me so much over my life but she reminds me some times that the world spins fast and we get caught up trying to go faster than the world. Hannah is not a physical person she doesn’t like hugs that much, it’s not her love language. and she held my hand the whole walk home from the park. This is something I will miss.
People have told me I am crazy for doing this. Crazy for giving up all the comforts I have at home. But my mom said “how awesome it is to have the freedom to freely go where God has called you.” In Luke 9:58-59 it says, “Foxes have dens and bids have nets but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” And in the old testament it talks about David the King of Israel living in caves. So I still having a place to lay my head, but give up the comforts for the one who gave all to save me. So that others might come to know Him.
Hannah 17. working on photography.
