September 2014.
The month I’ve been waiting and preparing for for…. well… almost two years now. I’ve known that I’d be launching since about Christmas time, but I had it set in my mind that I’d apply for the World Race much longer. I knew it was coming, yet now that it’s here, I can’t believe it.
While I organize and run to Walmart and pack and run to Best Buy and Target and repack and go back to Walmart and repack again… I’m reflecting on the last few weeks. I have been overwhelmed with so much love and support, I don’t know what to do with it all. So. I just want to brag for a little bit about how great my family and friends are. Cool?
One of my brothers and his girlfriend live in Denver, which is a good 8 hours away from Topeka. Those two made a weekend trip back here to hang out before I leave. They came back on a Friday, then went back on Sunday. Now, I’ve done one of those trips before, and they are exhausting! During that weekend, my whole family got together for dinner. Both parents, all four siblings, and all spouses. We made a ton of food and hung out all evening- my kind of heaven.
The following weekend, a bunch of good friends from high school and college got together for a going-away pool party! Again, we had more food than necessary, and we could just relax together and spend some time in the sun.
This past weekend, we had the big Bon Voyage Fundraiser! My aunts and uncles had the brilliant idea of hosting a dinner fundraiser- we all sold tickets to the event, and family and friends could come out for dinner, drinks, games, and I’d have a chance to see everyone before I leave. It was a blast! And to top it all off, we raised over $1800!! I’m just astounded by the generosity of the people around me. You guys are the best.
Then, with PERFECT timing, my second niece was born on Sunday! The good Lord brought her into our world at the beginning of the week, allowing me to not only meet her, but I’ve gotten to get a bunch of good snuggles in. I am just so thankful for this time with her.
My heart is just so full after these last few weeks. As stressed as I get, as flustered as my brain has become, and as sad as I am to be leaving (I’m crying, like, all the time…. who have I become?!?), I know that this time has been full of blessings. The Lord has been showing me time and time again how much He’s blessed me. I have so many people in my life that I love so much. People who love me and support me and make me laugh and draw me closer to Him. I’m thankful.
“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”
A.A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh
I will be flying back to Atlanta on Friday. Less than two days from now! I’ll meet back up with my squad, and we will do some final preparation throughout the weekend. After that, we will head out to our first country- CAMBODIA!! Keep up with my travels and what the Lord is teaching me by subscribing to this blog. You will receive an email update every time I post!
Very recently, I MET MY NEXT DEADLINE!!! The deadline is December 1, and I needed $11,000. Well, you guys rock the world and have ALREADY blown that out of the water! The only deadline left is my final deadline, MARCH 1, and I will need to be FULLY FUNDED. I have no doubts in my mind that God will provide- look at all He’s brought in so far! If you would like to help fill that gap to being fully funded, please click here to make a tax-deductible donation.
Please continue to pray for me and my squad. These next few days will be especially hard leaving our family and close friends. Please pray for safe travels to Atlanta, for our hearts to be open to anything the Lord wants to teach us over the weekend, and then safe travels overseas. Thank you!!
xo, Caitlin
