Thinking about fitness is such an instant visual.

We can imagine ourselves standing up to stretch out our legs, our arms, or whatever it may be that might be sore or tight from something that we did. 

Initially... it hurts to stretch it out. We have to get over that early pain, but during the process of it we know in fact that it is necessary in the recovery process of our muscles. For me personally, I tend to rush the stretching process. I often will jump right into my bouldering session without stretching beforehand, and the same thing goes for a day on the mountain. I skip past it. I would much rather just jump straight into the action of it, rather than take the time to care for the longevity of what is to come. 

Are you seeing the connection? 

Let me show you. 

Spiritually, I have wanted to jump into mission work the second I had a vision from the Lord to be in the nations. Traveling has always interested me. From a spontaneous month and a half road trip across the country in 2015, to the quick day trips to southern Utah all last summer. I love to be immersed into nature, or different cultures and people, because you learn so much about yourself and others in those spaces and places. 

So, for the past few years, I was "ready to go", but for some reason I was never actually going. One trip was planned to Dubai... cancelled, another trip was planned for India... felt like I was taking someone else's spot so I backed out, and then this past year I was fully fundraised to go to Africa... and COVID cancelled it. 

So there I was... ready to run the race I thought I was suppose to run, but again left short. 

God.. did I hear you right? Am I suppose to go on a mission trip? 

As a series of events unfolded (a later blog post for the testimony of WHY the World Race), the confirmation that mission was my call became crystal clear. I began to realize that over the course of disappointment after disappointment with these "trips", God was anchoring me into His heart for it, not my idea of it.

I desired a mission trip, but God desired a missionary. 

I desired to travel to specific countries, but God desired open arms for the world. 

I desired it to look and be a certain way, but God desired for me to be flexible. 

Throughout the process of the long list of cancelled plans, and PSA for another mission trip falling through I had difficulty understanding. Frustration was a leading emotion at the time, but now I see it. There was this level of spiritual stretching and preparation that God was leading me through.

He clearly wants me to stretch before this race, and I am more than okay with that. 

So 11n11, 11 months and 11 different countries, The World Race. 

August 2021, Global South. We're getting ready, and it is my prayer that you feel just as called to follow along and subscribe with me on this journey as I do to physically go on it. 

There will be plenty more to come, and I would be honored if you came along for it. 

xoxo 

d