Well we are down to less than a month before I head to Chicago for launch. I can’t believe that almost 10 months ago I was filling out my application for the World Race…making a deal with God that if this is what He wanted me to do, He would provide the way. God definitely made clear that this is exactly where I need to be. I have learned so much about my amazing God and about myself in the last month…I can’t even fathom what I am going to experience, see and learn in the next year
I AM SO EXCITED TO LEAVE!!!
Some days I want to run up to every single person and ask them to pinch me to see if this is all real. I cannot believe God has allowed me to begin this journey. Ever since I went to China in 2005 I have known I wanted to travel to share God’s love to the nations. God placed a passion in my heart and He has finally given me the Go.
I cannot wait to meet new people and show them love without strings attached. I want to listen to their pains and fear and to have the chance to dive into their routines and invest in their hearts. I cannot wait to be a light in the dark shadows and make lifelong friends.
I am thrilled to spend a year with this amazing group of people I have already fallen in love with. The J squad is gonna kick butt for Jesus. I am truly blessed to be a part of it all. I can’t wait to meet up with everyone in Chicago and hear how God has worked in their lives already. Never have I seen 60+ people so excited to travel around the world with backpacks and tent and choose to live a simple life.
I am overflowing with honor to be the member of Tharseo. These 6 beautiful people are my team and family for the next year. Tharseo is a greek word meaning “to take courage.” This word came to us on the last night of training camp. We wanted a word that would remind us why we are doing this crazy adventure when we feel we can’t go on anymore. God started preparing each of our hearts to make this family the perfect fit. I know I can find comfort, love, laughs and wisdom from each of these people. We are going to have many days and nights laughing, learning, growing, crying, and experiencing God…and I can’t wait.
I WISH TIME WOULD SLOW DOWN.
As much as I am excited about leaving, I also wish everything would slow down so I can absorb every minute I get to spend with my family and friends. I don’t even want to start thinking about saying Goodbye because every time I do, I burst into tear (and YES I am crying right now. Ha-ha) I know that I will be back in a year but I recognize that I am going to be different and so will they. Just because I am leaving doesn’t mean their lives stop. They will keep on going…and that is hard to take.
My family means the world to me. We are very close and I love spending time with them. My dad and mom are my #1 supporters. I can’t imagine having a daughter who says “I want to travel to the ends of the earth with only a backpack and a tent!” They have never once said that this was a bad idea. Maybe laughed at the thought of me sleeping in a tent but never stood in the way. My brother and sister-in-law have been great encouragers in this entire process! Getting to see my adorable nephew almost every day and knowing he is being raise to love God, gives me the push to go. If it wasn’t for my sister telling me that this is what I need to be doing and believing in me every step of the way…I might have given up a few times. My grandma, aunts, uncle, and cousins have been right beside me in this journey with their support and prayers.
How am I supposed to leave these people? I can’t even imagine not being able to see them every day. It seems that lately I can’t get enough time with them all, and if I could stop time and just have us in the same room laughing and having our silly talks; I would be happy.
I have the world’s best friends. God has placed some incredible people in my life that have given me the strength to go. Not one person has said that this is a stupid thing to do or that I am being irresponsible. I am going to miss worshipping at Journey Community Church, girl nights, coffee dates, movie nights and simple texts saying hello.
So as much as I am dying to go and start this life changing trip….I really am having a hard time saying those goodbyes. God has given me an incredible family here in Colorado and now He has given me an incredible family to travel with. I am a very lucky person and at the age of 27 I am just now realizing how much God has given me!
These next few weeks are NOT going to be easy and if I think I have cried a lot in the last 10 months…I have a feeling the tears have just started. But I am also ready to GO…. to make the people in my life proud of me! And to be the person God created me to be.
