dear day 1 racer…

Seven months have passed since I took my first step into the whirlwind of a journey that we call the World Race gap year. As I reflect on the mountains and the valleys that have come to be this experience, my heart overflows with immense gratitude. I will forever be in awe of this life I get to live. 

I sit here today as a completely transformed human being from who I was on September 2, 2020. Looking back now, there were so many words I needed to hear as I began to embody life on the race. Therefore, the other day, I took the time to sit down and write those words to my day 1 self and every other day 1 racer that will embark on this journey. My hope is for these to be the words that I needed to hear– now available for every racer to come. 

I figured that my words alone could not do justice for explaining the abundance of these 9 months, so I brought them to life.

“Dear day 1 racer, 

you’re about to step into a journey that will change your life for the better. 

Today you’re going to meet the group of people that will share the Kingdom with you for the next 9 months. I know they all look like strangers right now, but eventually, All these unfamiliar faces are going to start feeling like home. They’re going to love every part of you — the pretty and the ugly — they’re going to teach you to love these parts of yourself as well. Through the months You’re going to laugh together, wipe eachtother’s tears, and fight for each other as one body would. After every trial, you’ll come out the other side dancing as a family who would give the world for one another. you’ll learn to love each other through the eyes of the Savior, and embrace the diversity that you embody. 

You should come into this without any expectation, but full of hope because the Father has an abundant life waiting ahead of you. Your days are going to be spent serving His children. Sometimes not in the easiest or most comfortable ways. But where you earnestly seek for His hand to be, there will be fruit found there. Your heart is going to break for what breaks His heart, but will also rejoice where His victory is found. People all around the world will come to know His love through your words, actions, and the way you love one another. You’ll show the orphan where their home is and welcome the outcast with open arms. There will be days where you want to give up or it all feels too hard, but I can promise you that if you don’t give up it will all be worth it in the end. 

These are memories that you will tell your children and their children about. you will come to know life abundantly and life to the full. Embrace every moment because before you know it, you’re going to blink and it will be over. 

So shake the nerves, and get ready to taste and see the fullness of the Lord and His kingdom. The best days of your life are waiting for you. 

-month 7 racer”