My squadmate Carly Farver recently posted a blog that captures a struggle that we may face as we transition. I’ve quoted some highlights below, but I strongly recommend that you click here to read the original in its entirety. She writes, “It’s harder than I thought being back, though not in the way I thought. Rather than feeling misplaced and misunderstood, I feel too comfortable, too the same. If satan is going to reach me in these next few months, it’s going to be by siphoning my Race experience away into oblivion. Back home in the familiar, satan whispers, nothing has changed. And in some ways it hasn’t. But at the same time, everything has changed…”
I can understand that to some extent, because the memories are already threatening to fade into dreams. But since I haven’t actually lived in the States for SIX YEARS, for me, it’s almost more like a 12th month on the Race, adjusting to a new culture and trying to make new friends. Except this time, I am physically separated from my team community. Whagh whagh, but seriously, having spent every day of the last 11 months constantly surrounded by incredible people, it has definitely been difficult for me to come back to my parents’ house in Missouri and find myself pretty much alone all the time. (I did finally meet my nephew, who was born the week after I left on this trip!)
The Lord has introduced my spirit to new levels of intimacy and developed my understanding of His Kingdom, but I’m not sure what that looks like here and now. I guess that’s part of the fun of walking in faith and obedience, right?! I have grown so much in my willingness to do things for which I am
not trained but equipped, and the Lord has astounded me with His trustworthiness. I want to know Him more!! Since I am a student at heart, I am in the process of applying for seminary/graduate school, hoping to start classes at the new year. I also am eager to go abroad again already… I am particularly interested in going back to India, so hopefully I can arrange to go on another mission trip in the near future.The Lord stirs people’s hearts and uses His people to stir up nations!
Thank you so much for following me on this journey and for reading my blog. Believe it or not, it only touches on a few of the things that God did this year. Even though the travel portion of my World Race experience is finished, I plan to continue to post stories, pictures, and lessons I have learned or am learning. If you, your family, your church, or your fellowship group are interested in talking with me personally, please don’t hesitate to contact me!
I also invite you to click here to watch a video that my squadmate Ian Schumann made for his teammate Marisa Banas to thank and inspire her supporters. I don’t have the skills and creativity to make my own video, but I shared many of their experiences, and I certainly agree with their sentiments.
