Happy New Year!
It’s hard to believe that it has already been a year since I was headed down to Atlanta, Georgia to start the World Race! I am so amazed to look back on this year and see how God has moved! I am so grateful for each of you, who financially supported me, have been praying for me and reading my blogs!
(One year ago, about to leave on The Race!)
I would like to answer one of the most common questions I have been asked:
How have you transitioned since being back home?
My biggest transition was being away from my squad. Being a group of 15, we were one of the smallest squads in the history of the Race (the smallest was 14). So we all knew each other really well, and I was on a team with all but 2 of them by the end.
Having moved around a lot, I’ve had to say a lot of goodbyes. But these were some of the deepest friendships I have ever had with people.
I am currently processing with the Lord, the balance between the importance of community and also being fully reliant on Him. Jesus ultimately is the only one who promised he will be with me ALWAYS. He is the best friend I could ever have.
“And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20
“Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.” John 15:15
That being said, I learned so much about the value of having close friends to be vulnerable with one another and praying for each other. Now that I have tasted such close Christian community, I want to foster it at home, too! I also plan on staying in contact with my squad mates and continuing those friendships as much as possible.
“…Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25
“This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:12-13
(My squad + leadership team before we left on The Race)
Living at home has been a slightly different lifestyle, but after living on mission for a year, it is a lot easier for me to not differentiate ministry from normal life. I am so excited to keep living the way we did on the Race—having my antennas up to where Holy Spirit is leading me, and living an interruptible lifestyle.
“Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:4-5
All of John 15 has been a very helpful chapter for me to process this year. Whether you had an eventful year, or a mundane, normal year, I want to encourage you, this life is ultimately all about abiding in Christ! He simply wants us to dwell with Him and enjoy His presence. There is no end to the depth of knowing Him more, and getting to know Him is more exciting than traveling around the world!
“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love.” John 15:9
“I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!” John 15:11
(My two squad mates that live closest to me, Leah and Jake, visited this past weekend! So blessed to have these life-long friendships!)
Update!
I am now heading to Project Search Light (PSL), a debrief/reunion for The Race. The expenses for the trip were included in my fundraising, so it is considered part of my trip. It is held back at the Adventures in Missions headquarters in Gainsville, GA, where training camp was. We will have teachings about transitioning, worship, and time to hang out with our squad mates again.
Please pray for me as I fly there and back.
And pray for us to learn a lot from the teachings—how to transition well and incorporate the things we learned on the field to our everyday lives at home.
