HEY. HEY. HEY.
This is definitely the start of a crazy journey, considering I am writing my first blog ever from a Starbucks in Portland, Oregon. It feels a little odd putting my thoughts into words but this will be my life for the next 18 months. About 7 months from today I will be meeting a handful of people who will soon become my brothers and sisters. We will be spending 9 months together, YES, A WHOLE 9 MONTHS, filled with love, tears, and lots of laughter. I can’t wait!!!
WHAT? WHEN? WHERE?
Mission work has always been on my heart and I couldn’t have been called to participate in The World Race Gap Year at any better time. (Thanks God, you’re awesome!!) The World Race gives college-aged students the opportunity to serve in His Kingdom while discovering their own passions and talents. I have recently chose to no longer be a bystander but to see the world’s problems first hand. In just 8 months, I will be leaving the City of Roses, my home which is located perfectly between the ocean and mountains, to serve in a place I can barely picture myself in. Swaziland, Thailand and Nicaragua will soon mean the world to me.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declared the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
but WHY?
This is truly a dream come true. I remember receiving a call two weeks ago upon acceptance and I didn’t know how to react (partly because I was on the toilet and I didn’t really want to burst into tears on the toilet but I guess it’s a cool story now). Traveling has always been a dream of mine but I always wanted to travel with a purpose. Throughout high school, I realized I could either get a great job and make tons of money so I could just travel all the time (I realized that’s not how it works) or I could become a flight attendant because they travel every day, right? Finally, I got to my last day of school, I was graduating in a week and I had no clue what I wanted to do but I KNEW I did NOT want to go to school, I was done. I started working and leading WyldLife but was still confused where I was going with all of this. I had friends of friends who were going on The Race and I had heard about it from others at camp but always thought of it as an epic trip for others, not myself. Looking through my options, I asked myself, “what do I actually have to lose if I go for it and apply?”. I eventually applied but I didn’t tell anyone besides my mom because if I didn’t get accepted I didn’t want to have to explain to everyone. The day of my interview I realized that I was really in the right place at the right time. I realized that God suddenly put this trip on my heart for a purpose. He had a purpose for me and continues to. He knows my ability to help others, he knows my heart and he continues to paint yellow streaks over my life.
I am just as surprised as you are. Trust me. But I am also ecstatic. I can’t wait to continue sharing my experiences and thoughts with each of you. Please keep this journey of mine and all of the others in your prayers.
Thanks for reading.
Love always,
<3 P
