Hello and welcome! It’s Clara here!
Wow, a lot of endings and beginnings are happening in my life recently. I just graduated from the University of Sioux Falls with a double Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology! I also finished my athletic career as a long and triple jumper for the USF Track & Field team this past weekend at the NSIC Conference Championships. And I moved out of my apartment in Sioux Falls and live in Minnesota again with my parents and little sister. But in ONE week, I’m moving to Hawai’i for a few months, as I was offered a job as a nanny for a lovely family on the Big Island! and of course the WORLD RACE too! 11 countries in 11 months, and I get to tell people about Jesus and serve others in every one! I’m so honored to be given the opportunity to be a part of the World Race starting in January 2022! I want to tell you a quick story about how this became…
Now imagine this: after a long hike through knee-hip deep snow, you reach the top of an Alaskan mountain top, the wind blows through your hair, two of your best friends are sitting nearby, the sun is shining and making the snow sparkle, we’re eating granola bars. Everything seems perfect, but we’re having a conversation about the future. You’re wondering what God’s plan is for your life; you graduate in two months, you have no idea what you’re going to do after graduation, and you don’t feel like you’re ready for grad school. Then your phone rings, (somehow you have service on top of this ridge) and it’s Michael from the World Race wondering if now was a good time to talk. You say with a giggle, I’m on the top of a mountain but sure why not! He laughs and asks if you are going to finish the application you previously had started…
Wow, kinda crazy story, but it’s true. It’s my story!
So, a few days before I flew out to Alaska, I was driving home from school and I drove by a church. And in the front was their welcome sign. I drove by and saw what this one said… “Delayed Obedience Is Still Disobedience.” And it hit me. I was like Jonah. I was running away from what God was trying to tell me, He had a plan for me and I was just putting it off. After all, I was trying to finish my last semester of college and I was in season for track. Some of my friends and I were talking the other day about how you know when God is talking to you. And I knew right there He was, through that (literal) sign. Then, in Alaska, I got the phone call. God again was like “hellooo please listen to me!”
Fast forward a few weeks, I finished the application I had started late one night not knowing this could really be the right step in God’s plan. And now, I’m accepted and preparing for this amazing opportunity. To be honest, I was a little terrified at the fact that I was going to be doing something no one I knew had done before, traveling to so many countries and in a pandemic as well. But I have been learning a lot recently about listening to God, being obedient, and putting my full trust in Him. This past year has had so many ups and downs and I was feeling so unsettled about all the plans I was trying to make about after graduation and applying for grad schools. But now I am totally at peace about this decision and I am so excited to learn and grow myself and serve and love others!
Now, I invite you to join me in this journey! Please add me and my team to your prayers, asking God to lead us with safety, good health and open hearts. And if you are able and feel inclined to donate, any donations will help me in preparing for this trip. There is a link right in this blog where you can go to a secure website for an online donation, once or monthly, or there is also an address where you could send a check.
Thank you so very much for following along with me! The next blog should be sent from Hawai’i!
Blessings, Clara Leverich 🙂
