IM HOME!
It has been a wild and crazy nine months. I couldn’t be more thankful for what the Lord had brought me through, the things I learned, and the relationships I made! Hehe It is very sad being home and away from my 42 person family that I got to live so close with for some time. It is very weird coming home to 5 people living in a house versus 42. There were parts of me that were so ready to be home, ready to be back to the safety of my own home, and surrounded by the people I love. Within this past week it’s been hard, I have found myself overwhelmed, confused, and frozen with so much joy. It’s weird jumping back into waking up on my own time, fixing my own breakfast, and doing things without at least 2 buddies. Life is quiet. Very quiet. Music is constantly being played since I can’t hear the sound of people screaming to losing at dutch blitz, or the sound of someone finding out they’ve been pranked, or the sweet sound of Weldon playing his song on the guitar. I don’t really have the words to describe being done with something I was preparing for, for so long. The one thing that gives me joy knowing is that the race wasn’t the best thing to happen to me. The lord has so much in store for my life even if I still don’t know what I am doing with the life he has given me. I want to encourage you that no matter if you think you’ve hit your high point, your most glorious life, know that God is not done with you and has so much more in store for you.
One thing that I knew was going to be prevalent but didn’t expect the amount it was going to be there was my perspective on the world, life, and Jesus, when coming home. How can I go from a life of ministry everyday and evangelizing in walmart to just being another human in this world? How can I go from walking up to random people and just starting a conversation and/or praying for them, to walking away from asking the Lord who needs to talk or who needs prayer? I can’t. The one thing I want to take from the race is living a life that is interruptible. Being the one who will stop and talk to the lady checking me out at the grocery store, or ask if my server needs prayer for anything, just being ready and open to where the Lord is going to call you. The next step is actually being bold enough to act and be obedient where He leads. On my ride home from the base in Georgia we stopped at one of my favorite places to eat, Tropical smoothie cafe. There is a worker that has learned my order, and always took the time out of his day to ask me how I was and always put a smile on my face when I walked through those doors. Since the opening of another tropical location closer to my house, I didn’t go to the one with my special worker there. So coming home from the race it hasn’t only been nine months, it has been nine months and plus some. But when I walked through those doors he looked at me and said “Where ya been?” That started a conversation about the race and all that took place, and led to him sharing some of his upcoming adventures. I looked at my family when we got back in the car and said well this is my life now. I get to live a life that is interruptible, and I am so ready for it. SO I invite all of you to maybe slow your pace down, take a look around, and let the Lord guide you where he wants you. Once you let the Father take control the fruit will be endless.
Here are a few end of race banquet pictures for you!
I just want to thank everyone who was apart of the process of getting me on the field. Whether you donated, spread the word, bought a duck or raffle ticket, and especially all of the ones along side of me praying. Praying for supporters, safety and the Lord’s provision over my life. I couldn’t have made it through these past nine months without each and every one of you. I appreciate you more than you know!
