hiya!

     welcome to my first blog thingy. I don't really know how I'm gonna go about this so feel free to take your shoes off, sit down, have a deep breath or two. have a nice average sized glass of water.

     I can't believe I get to do this.

     going away, to different sides of the world, living an adventure out of a backpack, bonding with like minded people, learning more about myself and my faith and Jesus' heart?

     I'm almost jealous of myself. 

     and of course, the question remains: why am I doing it?

     I must confess that I didn't even start thinking about college until I realized it was a thing I was s'posed to do. I slowly started to realize, in a bit of a panic, that I hadn't even thought about it. I don't even really know entirely how it works. I always just sorta assumed I'd be going to college. Ever since I was little I've wanted to be an artist--so I assumed I'd maybe go to art school. Then a little while ago I found that I was oddly fascinated with humans--psychology it is. Then I wanted to write--how about all three? or something? 

     I had inklings of ideas of what I wanted to do. People would approach me about college plans I'd panic a little because I didn't have any. 

     I loosely decided that maybe a gap year was a good idea for a confused blob like myself. my parents had been more than happy to offer me ideas, opinions, and even agreed to take me to tour some schools. 

     but I kept thinking about how ready I was. or wasn't. I didn't like the idea of throwing myself into something like college with such uncertainty that I messed it up and wasted it. I felt like I already did that second part for high school, and I specifically wanted college to count. 

     a few weeks months howevers later, my mother, a lovely avid researcher, sent me a text that read as follows: 

     "i think i found a solid gap year option for you. also don't forget about Milky in the garage."

     so after letting the cat in, I read up on the World Race. from what I was reading, it looked like something right up my alley. I got inspired, excited, a little scared. i thought and prayed about it for a few days, and I applied. I was drawn to route three because of the emphasis on children's ministry and teaching english and okay maybe the countries were a contributing factor too. 

     I was accepted in early December, committed in early January, and here I am!

     I genuinely feel called to do this. I think it'll give me so many different perspectives, help me grow in my faith intensely, and round me out for the Real World significantly for when and if I end up going to college afterward. 

     I've had a bit of a slow start, but I'm excited for what's coming. 

     "after removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: 'I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do." - Acts 13:22

 :)