I realized that the last time I blogged back in February, I was substitute teaching, shortly after picked up a waitressing job, and trying to figure out what to do with my life. I thought it would be fun to sub and waitress, not have a lot of commitments, but I soon realized that I needed greater purpose in my life than those jobs could offer me. I wrote that I thought I had a heart to work for young women (late high school to college age) so I began to check into RD positions, but ended up applying for a social work position at a local non-profit agency. I now work at Community Action Agency in my home town as a Housing Advocate. We provide rent subsidies for homeless families for up to two-years. I meet with them in their homes on a weekly to bi-weekly basis to help them create goals and work towards self-sufficiency. I enjoy what I do and my co-workers help keep it fun and exciting!

Since returning home, I have lived with my parents. I know that living with your parents doesn't always sound cool or always even feel cool, but it has been great. For those of you that know my parents know that they are wonderful and it often feels like living with friends rather than parents. And I get to save a lot of money! At the same time, I am also looking forward to the time and opportunity to move out. In May, I helped drive Abe (my brother) out to Colorado so he could work there for the summer as a white water rafting guide. 

My fam in Colorado

I got to go on plenty of family vacations and weekends away this summer including one back to Colorado where Abe took us rafting. Kind of scary, having Abe for a guide, but he did great and we didn't even flip.:) Once fall came around, I think I must have tried to make up for all the free time I had in the Spring because I packed my schedule FULL. I played on two softball leagues, played pick-up volleyball one night a week, helped teach a class for work one night per week, started leading a small group, became a Big Sister Mentor, took 3 trips to Chicago, went camping, attended as many of my brother's soccer games (mostly in Indiana) as I could squeeze in, and also made time for friends. Needless to say, the last few months have been quite the whirlwind. As much as I like to be busy, life has slowed down and I am trying to enjoy the break. 

As I look back over this past year, it has not been at all like I expected. It has been good overall, but hard and challenging too. I'm still trying to grasp and understand how I live out and put into practice all that I experienced and saw during the World Race in my life in America now. I feel like it has been a year filled with many major decisions. I can look back and remember many tearful conversations with my mom at the kitchen table as I made decisions about various relationships and my future. I guess I was hopeful that as I got older, the amount of decisions would lessen or at least, they would be easier to make, but am quickly learning that there will be major choices at every stage of life. After some recent occurrences, I feel restless all over again and confused of what is next in my life. I know without a doubt that God has a plan that is greater than I can imagine and I do trust Him, but it doesn't make it any easier in the moment. The idea of having my options wide open again is both exciting and scary, but today I find encouragement in a reminder from a co-World Racer. As I feel like I have returned to a state of restlessness, where everything seems to be up in the air and I have no idea where I am supposed to be or what I am supposed to be doing and although the World Race was a once in a lifetime experience that most people don't have the opportunity to have, it doesn't have to be the best experience in my life and that there IS more. I have to believe that there is more. It is my hope that someday I can look back and connect the dots of all the places I've been and all the things I've experienced to see how God has been and is at work in my life. Until that time, I am choosing to continue to follow Him and trusting that He is leading me, even when it doesn't always feel like it. 

People often ask me if I would do the World Race again. I usually tell them that I wouldn't do it a second time because I'm not sure my body and emotions could handle it, but I tell them that if I had the choice to go back before the race and decide whether or not to go, I would do it again in an instant! It was and continues to be one of the best and amazing things I have been able to be a part of in my life so far. It is something that has changed me and that I will look back on, not only for this year, but for the rest of my life.

Well, its nearing the 3 month mark of being home.  The farther it gets away from the trip, the more unreal it seems.  I just spoke at a small group last night and it felt so great to talk about stories and refreshed my mind about the year I just experienced.  I had a wonderful holiday season with family and friends and did some traveling for the first 3 weeks of January to visit some of my friends from the race.  I made it to Alabama, Seattle, San Diego, and New Mexico.  It was great to see everyone again and reminisce about the trip.  I have to admit though that I think the "travel bug" in my system has left for a little bit.  By the second week, I was ready to go home.  I wanted to be home more than I did at the end of the trip.  It wasn't that I wasn't having fun, because I was having a blast, but I think I was just ready for routine, structure, and my own space and schedule.   Here's some picture of my time visiting other racers -

Jon, Spano, Candice, and I at the troll in Seattle.  I was picturing one of those trolls we collected in middle school with the neon-colored hair...not so much.  It was fun though!

Morgan and I at the beach in San Diego.  Why do I live in Michigan again?

Stacey and I trying to be hardcore in New Mexico.

Morgan, Stacey, Ginger, Eric, and I again trying to be hardcore on our BMX scooters.

After returning from visiting my race friends, I have been trying to figure out life here.  As much as I wanted to be home, I think the difficulty of living "American" life has finally begun to set in.  I am currently trying to sub for the school district I attended.  I have been called 3 days in the last two weeks, SO I have lots of time off.  Its nice sleeping in until 10am and doing whatever I want, but I have to say, it wears on you.  I was just realizing the other day, that at this point, I have absolutely NO responsibilities.  Probably many of you mothers and people who have busy full-time jobs, that sounds appealing, but its actually harder than one would think.  I still feel that the Lord has called me to work with young women (late high school to young adult) and am not sure what that looks like yet.  I'm not sure if that's a job or a ministry.   So, in the meantime I am subbing, spending time with friends and family, and seeking the Lord for what He has next in my life. 

I wanted to let you all know that this Sunday, February 10th, I will be speaking about my experience on the World Race at the evening service (6pm) at Spring Arbor Free Methodist Church in Spring Arbor, MI.  If you are interested in hearing more about my trip, please feel free to attend.  Each of you has been so integral in this journey and would love to thank you in person. 

I have been home for one month now trying to figure out life back in the States. I expected at some point to have a major "culture shock" breakdown like in the grocery isle when I saw boneless chicken breast or when I saw a cute little kid, or when I was alone for 20 minutes, but that hasn't really happened.  It took me about two weeks to stop throwing my toilet paper in the garbage, but other than that life has been good.  I think it has been nice to come back to the holiday season.  People are mostly cheerful and willing to take me out for lots of free coffee and meals.  I love it!  I think I have been caught up in the comforts of American life and the excitement of this season.  I'm trying just to let myself feel emotions as they come and not force or hold back anything.  At the same time, it's really interesting being home. Things seem mostly the same - the same people greet me at Meijer, the same cashiers work at Target, the same people sit in the same pews at church, - so it feels like I've been here all along, but then I notice people have babies who didn't when I left, people have passed away and are no longer there, and I somehow have all these memories and experiences that nobody else knows. Its then that I realize, it definitely wasn't a dream. It's hard to articulate how I feel about this year. I kept putting this blog off because I thought maybe tomorrow or maybe next week, I'll have more insight. Many people have asked, "How was your year?" And I find myself opening my mouth with no words coming out as I don't even know where to begin, hoping they will be more specific with their questioning. Then, I get asked a simple, easy question like "What was your favorite country?" and find myself drawing a blank as my mind is bombarded with stories, faces, feelings, etc of all the memories from this year that are somehow jammed packed in my head. How do I even begin to process what I saw, what I felt, what I ate, how I changed? I've begun to work through my journal, tell LOTS of stories to my family, sort through my pictures, stay in contact with World Race friends, and it all seems to help a little, but how do you really put this year into words? Amazing? Challenging? The best? Hard? Overwhelming? Stretching? Fun? It's everything! I think I experienced every emotion one can feel this year! Even though I'm still processing and will continue to process through this year, I know without a doubt that this was God's plan for my life at this time. I feel extremely blessed to have been given this opportunity! I know that through this trip my mind and worldview have been shaped in a way that I cannot go back to who I was before. God has entrusted me with knowing more of who He is and more of His power and I am responsible for that.  I have many ideas of what could possibly be next in my life, but don't have any confirmation yet.  I am at peace right now with my unknown future.  I can't wait to see where God leads me next!  The 11-month adventure has ended, but the journey has just begun!

Here's some random pictures of the fun we've had the last two months:

Fun at Disneyland Hong Kong

Okay, maybe not so fun, sitting in class.

The one day we went on a river ride, it was cold and rainy, good thing i packed my rain jacket all year!

Jumping in random people's pictures.  Can you see us in the back?

Salt girls at the Forbidden City

Salt girls looking good in the local get up.

Team Salt on the wall.  Yes, we're actually there and not imposed.

Morgan and I at the summer palace.

Please check Annie Bower's and Morgan McKeown's picture section to see more pictures of the fun we've had!!!

One day instead of having English Corner, we went to an elementary school that teaches children English.  We split into 3 groups at different schools. My group arrived at the school and were escorted to a classroom.  We were then told that we would be individually assigned to classrooms where we were to assist and critique the current teacher.  We were dropped off one by one at the classroom doors.  I had a classroom of 6, 7, and 8-yr-olds.  I was welcomed with clapping and big smiles.  The teacher told me I could sit in the back to watch, then I could tell her how to improve, then I could do some teaching.  After 10 months of the unexpected, I wasn't too phased and respectively took my seat in the back of the classroom. I was racking my brain of what I could critique, but luckily, I didn't have to critique the teacher, but I was expected to teach.  I took my spot in the front of the classroom and began winging my lesson. I used the teacher's flashcards and hoped for the best.  I saw some kids yawning and getting a little restless.  I tried to teach them "Head and Shoulders." It didn't go over extremely well, but it took some time.  Then, the teacher asked if I wanted to see them perform "The Ugly Duckling." I agreed as they proceeded to recite a 10 minute story with motions and everything.  Then, afterwards, the teacher said, "Now, you may do a performance for the children." Usually, I have someone else who is more musically talented than I that I can default this to, but not this time.  So, in attempt to make it short and sweet, I sang "I'm A Little Teapot" for the classroom.  I got some bored looks and a pity clap.  It was definitely no ugly duckling story.  We all rejoined together and just kept laughing at the randomness of our lives.  I also realized I don't want to be an elementary teacher, well at least I don't want to be a Chinese English Elementary teacher.

Well, I'm one year older since the last time I had internet access.  My birthday was on October 30th and I got to spend it in a beautiful location in China.  In Argentina, Morgan and I adopted the motto, "Go BIG or Go HOME!" and I often use that on the race.  So the theme of my birthday was "Go BIG or Go HOME!"

I was given a "Go Big or Go Home" stamp.

I was woken up by the girls.  I got to choose the "Go BIG option" of going out to eat for breakfast or the "Go Home option" of having Nescafe in our hostel room.  So, my whole day was filled with "Go BIG or Go HOME" options.  Of course, in World Race fashion, I chose "Go BIG" every time!  So, my day turned into a cable car trip up a beautiful mountain. 

I got a Chinese massage, which I would have to say was the best in my experience of Asian massages.  I got to go out to dinner and dessert plus many gifts along the way, and a bouquet of foam flowers with nice words written from all the other World Racers.  I also even got to call my parents!  It was a wonderful day and I felt so loved!

When they told us we wouldn't be having internet access all month, I was a little bummed, well, actually a lot bummed.  It was the last month and I had kept in contact with many people in Cambodia, and it was going to be my birthday and I was bummed!  BUT it turned out so much better than I thought.  It was actually nice and very freeing to not be checking my email many times a day or spending my time blogging.  I even missed blogging.  I wasn't sure how I felt about blogging at the beginning of the year.  Anyways, now I have 29 days worth of blogging to catch you up on.

So...

Train ride fun, it can get pretty boring sometimes!

We took an 18 hour sleeper train to another part of China to participate in a cultural exchange program at a local university.  Since China is a closed communist country and does not allow Christianity to be practicised we couldn't be openly Christian.  We entered the university as students wanting to learn about Chinese culture.  It was an amazing time!  Every morning we had class from 9-11am.  We learned about Chinese culture, history, and philosophy.  We got to try our hand at papercutting and calligraphy.  We took field trips to a tea house, museum, local embroidery factory/store, and a traditional Chinese medicine Hospital.  When we went to the tea house, we got to participate in tea ceremonies.  I never knew in my life how many aspects, stages, and things  for tea.  I somehow got chosen to make tea.  I didn't get the best look when I used TWO hands to hold the tea kettle. 

In return for our classes, we participated in "English Corners" from 4-6pm.  English Corners consisted of us sitting in a classroom at the university while all the English majors could come talk to us for two hours.  It was much easier than expected.  All the students are very eager, sometimes even scared, to talk to foreigners.  We answered every question they had and they definitely had LOTS of questions!  From the English Corners, we made friendships and were able to set up other meetings with our new friends.  I made friends with 3 freshman girls.  They were very giddy and at first, obnoxious.  Within the first 10 minutes of our conversing, they asked me to play badminton with them the next day.  I didn't have any plans so I agreed.  After the badminton game (which I was pathetically sore the next day from) they introduced me to their friends.  The questions continued until one caught my attention.  They asked, "What do you believe?"   Knowing that I needed to be careful with what I shared, I asked, "What do you mean?"  They typed into their translator thing a word and a then showed me, "Christian." I said, "Yes, I am a Christian."
They said, "Do you know the Bible?"
"Y"Yes."
"D"Do you read the Bible?"
"Y"Yes."
"C"Can you tell us a story from the Bible?" I thought to myself, "Seriously God?  Can it be this easy?"
"Y"Yes, I can tell you one of my favorite stories!"
I got to share the gospel with the group of girls.  They were listening intently on my every word.  They had heard of God before, but not Jesus.  Their faces lit up when I told them they were created and loved by God.  Their faces saddened when I talked about Jesus' death and then I said, "You know what the best part is?"
"W"What?!?"
 "Three days later he rose from the dead."
"W"What?!? Alive?!? Where does he live now?..."
This was followed by many other questions.  None of the girls ended up accepting Christ at this point.  Many of them came from Buddhist families and it is hard for them to pull away from those cultural and family beliefs!  I am so thankful that God chose to use me in that time because their childlike response to the gospel refreshed me.  I was reminded of the real sacrifice and so thankful for the eternal life I have in Christ.  I hope that the next time someone comes along to tell them about Christ, they can remember the words and know that they heard this story before.  We saw other people harvest in our group with people they have never met before.  I am thankful to be part of the cultivating process

Hello everyone!  We made it back to Hong Kong safely!  Thank you all very much for your emails and birthday wishes.  I felt very, very loved when I returned to my email to see all the notes.  Our last week is filled with debriefing China, debriefing the whole year, and preparing to re-enterAmerican Culture.  Yikes!  It is hard to believe that I have exactly one week left.  I enter this last week with many mixed feelings, but definitely itching to get home.  I hope to post a blog or two within the next few days, but our time to use internet is very limited!  In short, China was wonderful. We had a great time and enjoyed the ministries we were apart of.  Please continue to pray for us in this last week as we bring this part of our journey to a close and for safe travel on the way home.  Thanks!  I'm excited to see all of you soon!