How do I do this?
How do I say goodbye to everyone I love and everything that's comfortable and familiar for a year? I have exactly 5 days left in Nashville, exactly 9 days left in the South, exactly 11 days until my whole world is rocked and I find myself in the middle of Guatemala.
How do you tell everyone you love how much you love them? I'm trying to soak in every moment I have with friends and family. I'm trying to relish the hot showers and clean clothes and American food. But none of it feels real. I'm really leaving all I know for a 11 months? I'm really going to 'rough it,' carrying nothing but a backpack and living on rice & beans and bucket showers? It seems like it's happening to someone else.
But it's me! Little ol' me, Sydney Woods, the girl who loves showering daily and my big comfy bed and getting dolled up for fun. But I'm about to become a very different girl. I believe that God is going to mold me into a whole other person, and on the other side of this, everything will be different. My eyes will be opened to things I've never even imagined inside my comfortable little suburban bubble. It's scary, but I'm ready.
This is what I've been dreaming about, what God's been preparing me for. It's been a long time coming. Back in college, I read a book called The Dream Giver by Bruce Wilkinson (Thanks Melissa!), and that is when the spark was lit. I knew God had placed the desire in me to make an impact, to change the world, to do big things for His Kingdom, and at that point, I had no idea what that would look like. I didn't believe then that God could use someone like me. I didn't believe I was "missionary" material. But He doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called. And so I am going. In 11 days.
But how do I say goodbye to my family? How do I tell my Mom that she means the world to me, and I'm not sure how I can go 11 months without her hugs or her amazing cooking?
How do I tell my Dad how much I love him, how strong and steadfast I think he is? How will I go without my sister, how much I'll miss her jokes and her sage sisterly advice?
This past weekend, I went to Auburn for one last football game and to see some dear friends before I leave. I don't know how I will go without these girls, my best friends and college roommates, who love me and know my heart.
How do I leave my Nashville friends and my bible study, the girls who have journeyed with me and encouraged me as I've made this decision to go? How do I leave the ones who have seen my highest highs and my lowest lows?
Most importantly, how do I go without getting to watch Auburn football?
Kidding. (Kind of)
People keep asking how I'm feeling. It's a mix of emotions. I'm excited, I'm anxious, I'm expectant. But mostly it all just feels surreal. I can't believe after months of preparation and prayer, this is finally happening!
Thank you to everyone who helped make this happen. Thank you for your financial support, your prayers, your encouragement, and just for loving me. I'm so thankful for every one of you. I hope you all follow along in my journey over the next year–please feel free to comment, email, or skype me–I'd love to stay in touch. I hope to see you all again in just a few months. 🙂
