I am overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of my lovely supporters. I am practically halfway there to being fully funded, and I haven’t even left yet. So overjoyed!!! So blessed!! So humbled!! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! Every little dollar has been added up and my current balance is $7,673 (with a little more on its way). Why did I ever doubt? Of course God would provide! There’s only $7,827 left to raise!
These last few days have been a bittersweet roller coaster of emotions as I hug people a “see you later” and say goodbye. As Rory Gilmore once said, “There’s nothing good about a goodbye. It’s a very poorly named ritual” (any Gilmore Girls fans out there?). I’ve had to say too many goodbyes throughout my life. So many that they don’t even phase me as much anymore, and a part of me feels like I’ve grown cold to these farewells. It feels sad for a little while, but then I move on. Because that’s what I’ve always had to do. I moved from California to Chile when I was 5. I moved from Chile back to California when I was 18. I moved from California to France for a semester in 2010. I moved from California to Florida for four months in 2011. Now I’m leaving for a year in 2014. Saying goodbye seems to be just another part of my life. I’ve grown accustomed to missing my friends, missing my family, missing things, missing old places, missing new places… But throughout all these major changes and moves, there is one thing that has remained a constant, and that is the comfort and peace I’ve found in the Lord.
In four days I leave California once again, and in eight days I leave the country for 11 months. Yes, the goodbyes have been sad, but it doesn’t hurt. It doesn’t hurt because I trust. I have the greatest comforter and the Prince of Peace on my side, and my heart will rest in His embrace. This year will go by SO quickly (I mean, really, where did 2013 go??), and it will be a great one. And I know that in 11 months, those people and places I am leaving behind will be right there waiting for me, just like it’s always been.
Welcome, 2014. Bring on the adventures.
