The world race is both so very close that I can almost grasp it, and yet too far for my fingers to actually reach it.
I just got home from an amazing and challenging 10 days in the woods of Gainsville Georiga, training for my upcoming race. My squad the Sojourners, met up with 3 other squads that will be launching in January to different countries.
Day one was weird, I felt scared, raw, and alone. I was in a place I didn’t know with people I’ve only talked to online… pretty sure my parents warned me about talking to strangers online a lot as a child… Yet here I was surrounded by 40 something strangers, wearing green and hugging me. I guessed right away I’d have to get used to hugs this week.
It became quickly apparent that this week was going to stretch me. I pitched my tent, blew up my sleeping pad, and said a silent prayer for calm. Within a few hours, I was learning names, making jokes, and getting to know some amazing people.
I found myself immersed in a new world, ready to open myself up to the hugs that I hate, the fear that I was feeling, and the true- Whitney. I leaped out of the comfort zone, somewhere I love to go. I also say I pray for challenges so I can grow. I was challenged this week. I was challenged with bucket showers, with crickets and century eggs from breakfast, with sleeping on the ground in cold weather, with a lack of power, heat, and a lack of social media. And it was amazing. God taught me how silly my fears were, and how all I needed to do was STAND against my fears and say: HA. God taught me to be victorious while I ran with a pack the same size as me. Most importantly he opened my eyes to a fear of trust and broke the chains.
So now as I await the race it’s without fear or anxiety. Its filled with excitement and prayer for the future and for Gods plan and challenges. God is so very good. I leave in a little over 2 months. I am ready, I have the armor, I have God, and I will stand firm in what I know.
Enjoy the video I created about the trip below:
