319 days.
I spent 319 days out of the country I’ve called my home.
The term “home” has taken on a whole new meaning after this year. A home has always been in a physical location, shaped by the memories built there– a title that isn’t given to every location I’ve ever lived. So a home must be something different than a house.
My home growing up was my parents waking me up every Sunday for church, evening meals shared around a table, late night bike rides around town with Michaela on her tandem, Friday night football games, and summer camp. That home shifted as I started creating a life in my college town. That home was shaped by my incredible community in New Towne, my morning drive to Joe Beans coffee, and runs on the Black Water Creek Trail.
You see, I didn’t list the physical location of my house at all, but rather the memories that created a sense of home.
Being the absolute nomad I am, this year has showed me that I can identify places more than just one as my “home”. I have built memories in 15 different countries with a community of 28 people. I’ve built relationships that extend far beyond my final breath on this earth. There is no greater sense of home than the one we have in Jesus. Recognizing that has allowed me to walk into the corners of the earth with comfort and ease knowing that I am already home, even with no memories to recall.
So friends, I am back from this crazy, beautiful journey that I started almost a year ago. America remains seemingly unchanged from the world I left in January.
Except for one thing, I’m different.
The Lord began a work in me this year, one that has set me free from my own fears and failures. He’s showed me a world that cries out His praise— painted in every sunrise, and shown through the faces of His creation. And even though the World Race has come to an end, my journey and mission haven’t.
So. I’m home for December.
But through the Lord’s work, He has allowed me the opportunity to go back to Thailand in January to partner with World Race hosts. I will be working at an English school to bring love and light into my work field. If you’d like to know more, or continue partnering with me, please reach out!
A season may be ending, but a new one is beginning, and I couldn’t be more excited. There may be things uncertain about buying a one-way ticket to Thailand, but one thing is for sure– I know it’s already home. Because He’s there.
