- T – 8 days until I fly out to Atlanta, Georgia to meet up with family to start saying final goodbyes.
T – 11 days until training in Atlanta starts.
T – 11 days until I start to meet the strangers I will spent the next year with.
T – 24 days until I leave America for the next 11 months of my life.
No need to be nervous at all, …. right?
I have been home for about a day and a half and have been doing nothing but preparing to leave again. It seems weird to have such a quick turn around, I usually have about a month in between major life events but not this time. I am taking advantage of not living out of a suitcase/backpack for exactly 10 days in between working at camp and the World Race; although I’m spending all my time packing and getting ready.
Although there were times I wish I wasn’t at camp I still felt that it prepared me well for what God has next for me. I met a lot of new people who were intrigued by the World Race and what I was doing for the next year. I had the pleasure of meeting a lady who was the camp nurse for a week who’s daughter had done the World Race. It was super nice to talk to someone who knew about it and loved it. I also fell in love with the gospel again and watching children interact with the gospel. I loved to see kids get so excited about the bible, even when I was so tired they were still so excited to read bible stories or play “fruit of the spirit charades”. I feel like their kid-like faith taught me so much. So even though there were times when I questioned why I was there, I still feel as if camp prepared me for the World Race and whatever comes after that too. I mean after living through being asked “What time is it?”, “I’m starving, When’s lunch?”, “When’s free time?” about a million and two times a day I can do anything, right?
The thing that encourages me the most as I jump into this crazy adventure is knowing I have such a strong support system. I know I have said it before but I can’t it enough: I am so grateful for all the generosity of all the people in my life. Everyone has been so generous with their time and prayers as well as financially. God has blessed me so much! Thank you all!
We will be praying for you Olivia! May God watch over you on this amazing journey! Much love and hugs from all of us!
So glad you have a strong support group to pray for you and enourage you along the way. Its going to be an incredible year for you! Matt and I are looking forward to meeting you just a few short weeks.
Wow! What exciting experiences, great joy, amazing adventures, incredible opportunities (and yeah, maybe some nervousness & difficulties, too) are ahead of you, Olivia! But you’re 100% correct that God has led you to this place & has equipped you physically, emotionally & intellectually for the journey. You’re also 100% right about your great support system. Gary & I are blessed to be two of the MANY folks who love you, pray for you & will follow you on your World Race.
We’re also soooooo happy that we got to see you & the family in ATL this past weekend as you met your WR team. Seeing you & reading your blog has given us a better idea of where you’re going, what you’ll be doing, etc…& how we can best pray for you.
So now it’s on your mark…get set…& go get ‘em, you sweet little hippy Racer! Much love from Marsha & Gary
P. S. I won’t be so wordy in future posts…there was a lot to say this time. ??
P.P.S. The ?? at the end of my other post was supposed to be heart emojis.
Praying for you as you finish first week of training. I am very proud of you.
Love you.
Dad