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Hi! I’m Layla Ballance, and I’m so excited to share that I’ll be doing the World Race next year! I still can’t believe it sometimes—but the way this all came together has been such an amazing story that I wanted to take a moment to share it with you.
For as long as I can remember, college has felt like the next big step—the exciting but slightly terrifying chapter that everyone expects. Going into senior year, I was doing all the things: studying for the SAT (multiple times!), writing essays, and sending in college applications. I was trying to trust God with it, but if I’m honest, that’s always been hard for me. I tend to carry things like that on my own shoulders. Still, I prayed—over and over—that if it was His will, I’d get into my top choice, and that He’d help grow the trust I was struggling with.
Once I finally submitted everything, I felt a huge weight lift. But then came the waiting. I heard back quickly from my backup schools, but I was holding out hope for the University of Georgia. Ever since moving to Georgia, it had been “the dream.” Beautiful campus, football games, a major I was excited about, and friends who were planning to go, too.
Decision day came, and I’ll never forget where I was: sitting in the locker room after a big region win with my team, staring nervously at the UGA portal. I finally clicked—and my heart sank. “We are sorry to inform you…” That one sentence shattered the picture I had built in my head. I sat there tears streaming down my face, wondering what I had done wrong, and comparing myself to everyone who did get in. It felt like the door had been slammed right in my face.
Still, life moves forward. I picked a backup school and tried to get excited about it. I had some good friends going, and I figured maybe I’d transfer to UGA later. Then came another curveball—an email saying the school had over-enrolled and there was no housing available. Suddenly, Plan B didn’t feel so secure either. We started looking at off-campus options, but nothing was working out.
That’s when my parents called me over to my dad’s computer. On the screen was a logo I recognized—the World Race. It’s a mission trip I’ve known about since I was a kid, especially since my dad went on it himself. They told me about a special program for recent high school grads and suggested I pray about it.
At first, I said no. I was overwhelmed and exhausted by all the uncertainty. But I did pray, because it was the only thing that made sense in the middle of all the chaos. Little by little, my heart started to shift. I became more open to the idea… then curious… then excited. Before I knew it, I was applying, doing interviews, and dreaming about what this could be.
And now? I’m going!
The doors I thought I wanted so badly closed—but God opened something even bigger. Through the World Race, I’ll still be learning and taking classes to prepare for my future, but I’ll also be traveling the world to serve others, deepen my faith, and grow in ways I never could have imagined. I get to be surrounded by people who are passionate about the same things, and I get to do something that actually feels right in my spirit.
This journey didn’t start the way I thought it would, but I can already see that it’s exactly where I’m supposed to be. I’m so grateful, so hopeful, and so ready for what’s next.
Thanks for reading, and for being part of my story!
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