Launch. This day has been slowly (but in reality very quickly) approaching for almost a year. I am just a few hours from making my way to Atlanta from my family’s house about an hour away and I am thinking about the past eleven months. From my decision to apply for the WR to my submission of my packet to end my military career to fundraising to attending Training Camp to signing out on on leave for the last time to saying goodbye to my family and friends in RVA before heading down to Georgia eleven days ago in order to spend time with the other half of my family. So many steps were taken to bring me to this day. I have experienced every emotion since the inception of this plan last October…or should I say since God put me on the path of His plan. I have felt elation, humility, hesitation, sorrow, doubt, joy, nostalgia, but most of all love.
To my family: we never realize just how supportive our family is until we grow up and start making life choices. Where we will attend college, what we will do with our lives, etc. Y’all have supported me in every decision I have made as an adult. Okay Mom, the whole Army thing took a little convincing for you but in the end we won you over. Thank you for seeing who our Father made me to be. Sending me to college eight hours away, sending me to Germany for my first assignment, sending me into two combat zones, and now sending me around the world for a totally different mission. Sending me was never easy…I got a very small taste nine months ago when I had to say goodbye to one of my best friends. Up until that point I had never been on the receiving end of a ‘goodbye’ and it was not fun. I realize my life has taken a turn none of us ever anticipated so I want to thank you and tell you just how appreciative I am for your adjustments to the decisions I am making based on where I believe God is leading me. I will never believe I have anything less than the most supportive collective family someone could ask for. If you ever begin to doubt just know that my life and steps are guided by the One who made me. My choices must align with His plan or my life is worth nothing. Thank you, I love you.
To my friends: the friends God has blessed me with are out of this world. Driving hours to see me during my moments of accomplishment (Amy and Kendall), the random text messages just checking in to see how I am doing, experiencing RVA’s incredible food scene, and of course the fun I have with all of y’all are memories I will take with me throughout the next year. I have a very strong feeling these are memories that will keep me going during some very rough times. Thank you for these memories.
To my supporters: there are not words to express my gratitude. Your support of Adventures in Missions and this Race is humbling. I hope to encourage you through my pictures and blogs throughout the next eleven months. Trust that I will do my best to post updates when I have the chance to do so. Because of you hundreds of people from eleven different nations around the world are going to receive the love they deserve to receive. I am humbled that I get to be the hands and feet but make no mistake…you are the heart. Thank you.
To my squad: well, here we go! It is surreal that the day is finally here. A day we have talked about for hundreds of days. A moment we have physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually been preparing for for what seems like forever. Thank you for being my squad. Thank you for standing by each other no matter what. Thank you for very clearly loving and caring about every single individual on this squad, offering an unconditional love that is only possible because Jesus Christ loved us first.
To my future self: Jen, you asked for this challenge. You asked God a long time ago to grow you in your faith in the best way possible and He chose the WR to do just that. Everything that occurs from this point forward is a part of that growth. You have already experienced pain from having to let go of a former squad mate, revelation from talking with a few wise squad mates, sadness from saying goodbye to your family and friends in RVA, but also excitement to leave for Africa and start the Race. Throughout this journey I, as your past self, can only anticipate the challenges to come. There will be homesickness, frustrations with yourself and others, exhaustion, sickness, and boredom. More importantly, though, there will be grace, forgiveness, lifelong friendships formed, rest, adventure, but most of all love. It will all be worth every struggle you encounter as long as you allow your Father to dictate your steps. You will slip up but your community will catch you. You have had many long discussions with leadership and you have been told what your role is on this squad. You understand who you are and where you stand; now it’s up to you to execute accordingly. This squad, Z Squad, deserves your very best and I know you will work to give that to them. Above all else, the Lord is calling you into a new season of your life. Remember to run to Him daily because honestly it is all you really need and you are going to want Him in order to live in this season. There is comfort to be found in this season but only in Him. Watch, you will read this at some point in the future and laugh because you’ll know I was right. Now GO.
