The End of an Era

I hate endings, especially on good stories.

I still haven’t read the last book of the Harry Potter series. 

I still haven’t finished the show Gilmore Girls (I’m not talking about the reboot either, I mean I seriously haven’t watched the last season).

And I haven’t finished this blog until now.

I think by avoiding the ending I think that somehow I have frozen time. I’ve encapsulated the moments and don’t want to let go of those happy memories afraid that they’ll fade away. But if the Lord has taught me anything this year it has been to love deeply and hold loosely.

Adjusting back to life in the States has been anything, but easy. The loneliness and pain has been unbearable at moments. There have been many times I’ve cried myself to sleep. Just like Elijah and several others prophets I asked for God to take me home that I didn’t want to be alive anymore.

But through it all God is faithful. He didn’t lessen the pain, but He never left.

Some of you may have noticed I deleted my Facebook. Some thought this was a bad idea especially because of the loneliness that I was facing. But when I came back to the Race and saw the unhealthy patterns I had established with social media was not changing, there was only one thing left to do.

I deleted Instagram off my phone for a while for the same reason, but have kept my account. As long as I don’t abuse it, I plan on keeping it. @heidialmighty711

Even though these past few months have been mostly filled with pain, I’m hopeful about tomorrow. “Though the sorrow may last for a night, joy comes in the morning.” The future is looking bright!

When I got back from the Race, I knew I wanted to learn a language. It was heavy on my heart to take a class at a community college or some educational program. I was thinking maybe learning something like Mandarin or Russian, but then God has a better idea…

I’ve been approved for a loan and I’m going to start going to coding boot camp in Detroit for three months. I’m really excited and terrified about changing careers, but I’m stepping out on this path in faith believing this is the way God wants me to walk in. It’s not Mandarin or Russian, but it IS a program that is focused on teaching computer languages.

I’m holding up on my promise to visit Ashley (stick arms) and Sara (squad leader) in South Korea in early May where I will get the opportunity to substitute teach English to a few classes of elementary students. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do and I’m excited to get the opportunity to see a place I’ve heard so much about.

My cousin and I are tentatively going on a multi-day hike at Isle Royal National Park. I just came inside from walking five miles in the rain with my WR backpack to condition myself for the trip and couldn’t help but have flashbacks from when I walked the Camino. Unlike then, this time my body will be ready! No hiker’s knee for me this time! 

I pray that you have been blessed by these blogs. I pray that you would seek the Lord and put Him first in your life. We are called to carry our cross daily and die to ourselves for Him and it’s going to be worth it. Every minute of it.

Even though the adventure with the World Race for me officially stops here, there’s still so much more adventuring left to do! Will you join me in the adventure of spreading the love and kindness of Jesus right where you are at?

Because I promise you, it’ll change the world.