Adieu!

Dear family, friends, supporters, and fellow missionaries,

another chapter is closing on this journey of my life.  it’s sad thinking about all the stories we’ll tell and retell in the
next few weeks, while trying to suppress the tears and laughter that may
intermittently and involuntarily pour out in the middle of those
stories.  it’s surreal watching our last year in pictures set to music
flash before us at times too fast and other times too slow.  it’s strange how there are still some things I don’t know about my teammates and friends, the trivial things that people would ordinarily know about someone else when they’ve known them for a year… but then there are other quirks and nuances that I know about my teammates and vice versa that normally take years of living with someone to discover and understand.

 

we’re at that point where silly, stupid things that used to bother us fade away in light of the happy, sappy, unforgettable memories created throughout this year.  we’re soaking in as much time as possible with each other, solidifying relationships and making plans to see each other after the race.  we’re running around town trying to get last minute souvenirs and gifts.  we’re making the most of every opportunity to dress up and get dolled up for one night of fanciness after 11-months of grunge.  and we’re loving making new memories and laughing all the way. of course the goodbyes will be difficult, but they are not final.  this is not the end of our journey together.  

 

some days I wondered if I’d ever make it to this point of the journey.  I’ve cried some nights thinking I just wanted to go home.  I’ve shouted “it’s not fair!” at the injustices we’ve seen.  I’ve wondered if this was worth it.  and I know that none of this would be possible without your faithful prayers, letters of encouragement, and support.  I’ve been blessed to experience the true body of Christ, who has challenged me and given me honest and raw feedback as well as loved me unconditionally despite my hurting others and being hurt.  thank you for your words that have comforted and encouraged me to continue to push on and press in to the things to which God called me.  thank you for reminding me that I have a higher calling and purpose.  thank you for believing in me even when I didn’t believe in myself.  

 

thank you for walking with me through this journey via this blog page and for commenting and loving me.  I hope that we’ll have a chance to catch up in real life really soon. 

“One’s destination is never a place but rather a new
way of looking at things.” ~Henry Miller