This past spring I decided that I wanted to go on the World Race! I had discovered the program when I was a sophomore in high school and had always been interested in the idea of taking a gap year after I graduated to have a life changing experience! Throughout high school I always thought, “there must be more to this life-something bigger that I’m called too” and I felt like going on a trip across the world to spread the love of Jesus would answer this longing I had. By the time senior year came around, all my classmates/friends began applying to college and just about everyone I knew asked me where I want to go to school/what I want to do with my life. My answer to this question was always- “I have no idea.” Senior year was full of so much anxiety and uncertainty about what I was going to do with my life. Although I still had the gap year idea in my mind, I decided to apply to college, without really knowing if I would end up going right after high school or not. By the time spring came around I had heard back from all the colleges I applied too and was beginning to feel the pressure to make a decision about what I’d be doing next year. During those months I prayed a lot about what my next steps should be and while I think I felt certain about which college I wanted to attend, I still didn’t feel 100% at peace about going to college right away. Despite this uncertainty, I ended up saying yes to college. About two weeks after I said yes, I had a change of heart when I was at school one day. I was sitting in English class when, a couple seats behind me, I heard a girl talking about how her friend was doing the World Race. All of a sudden it all became so real to me and I knew in that moment I needed to do the World Race and postpone college a year. I think just knowing that another person my age, who lives in the same city as me, was taking a gap to spread God’s love made it seem so attainable. At first I was so afraid to say yes to this, especially since everyone already thought I was going to college (including myself) and it was a total curveball. However, despite all the fear, I decided to trust God and take the next steps. I told my parents about my change of heart and was overwhelmed by their love and support for me taking a gap year. I then applied for the World Race and after lots of prayer and contemplation, I decided to go on the three month trip to Guatemala, Panama, and Nicaragua! I truly feel that God has called me to do this and I am so beyond grateful for what he has done to get me to this point! It was really scary for me to decide to go on the World Race, however, I am so glad God lifted me above that fear and brought me to the point I’m at now! I am so excited to embark on this journey and see how God’s plan for my life unfolds!