My mom was the one who suggested The World Race.

”But if you had something fulfilling to do with your year would you do it?” Of course I said yes, not realizing she had files and emails filled to the brim with info on the World Race. I was still planning on going to college right after high school, and would have never expected that in 2 months I’d be fully committed to the World Race Gap Year and would be picking my route.

My mom also warned me that it would be hard. I blew her off like she was telling me about the boogeyman. How could it be hard and challenging when it was this cool? Why would it be challenging right now when I’ve still got a whole year?

But like most things, my mom was right. It was starting to hit me all the things I was going to miss while on the trip. I was going to be gone from my family and friends for 9 months, a lot can happen in that time. I’ll miss my mom’s 50th birthday, the day my little brother turns 16. I won’t be at the family dinners at my grandma’s house, or be able to help my brother pick out his outfits before a big day at school. It hurt knowing everything I was going to miss while being gone. When I told my mom she said to make a list, so I did. I filled a whole page of notes top to bottom with things I was going to miss while on the trip. And I cried as I read each one to my mom. 

When done writing, my mom told me that every time I thought about the list, or added to it to pray on it and give all of these things to God. She told me it was ok to miss these things, and they were all valid. But that I needed to understand that anything I was going to miss, God was going to give me something new on the trip. Yes, I was going to miss Christmas Eve with my dad, and driving around looking at Christmas lights, but I was going to get the opportunity to experience Christmas in a way I’ve never known before with people God placed specifically in my life. His plan was bigger than my traditions. His plan will never harm me, but only lift me and his name up. 

“Use me, God. Show me how to take who I am, who I want to be, and what I can do, and use it for a purpose greater than myself.” -Martin Luther King Jr

This is my prayer now and through my journey with the World Race. This was the first of many obstacles I will face on this trip. The first of many times I will question God‘s logic. The first of many times I’ll miss what could have been. But God you are greater than all of that, You are greater than my traditions, wants, and expectations. And you will make that clear in ways I never thought possible.

All the love, 

Delaney