As John Michael said in our last post, the past month of our life has been an opportunity we wouldn’t ordinarily have. Traveling the east coast to visit all sorts of friends and family has blessed us tremendously! It has been exciting, emotional, and tiring all at the same time, and I can hardly believe that we are now in our final days of preparation.
If you know me at all, then you are well aware of my overflowing emotions. Fortunately, it’s usually heavier on the laughter and giggles side, but there are tears at times too. Preparing to leave life as we know it for 11 months has shown me that it’s true…change may just be the only constant! Although John Michael so faithfully reminds me, “Ash we ARE coming back you know.” I’m faced with the reality that we are not just going on a trip or a vacation or a long weekend. We are leaving a very comfortable life to live a rather uncomfortable life, and we will not return the same two people. We felt God calling us to something bigger than ourselves, and we are trusting that He will do big things through our obedience.
A friend once told me to make sure I enjoy every season of life while in it because, like winter, spring, summer, and fall, they are constantly changing and moving. Once one transitions to another, you will never again be at that exact place in life. As we’ve made our rounds this past month I’ve seen the truth in this statement. We truly are all in different seasons of life, and it would be a shame to miss out on the beauty! Even winter, though often dreary and cold, plays an essential role to the evolving life of nature.
If I were to be honest, I would say that preparing for the WR has been trying. As I’ve said before, we feel confident in God’s calling on our lives right now, but don’t parents always say the “right” decision isn’t always the “easy” one? I see others in different seasons of their lives and my human nature envies them! We’ve spent the past few days moving my parents into their beautiful new home and I can’t help but dream of having a family in a home of my own one day. What I’ve come to appreciate is that my parents are in an entirely different season of their life together! We have no strings attached while they long for stability. God has blessed us with a love for Him and traveling as well as the health and ability to drop everything and go. Making the decision was not easy, yet, letting go of our own expectation and giving up our plans to Him is a freeing feeling like we’ve never experienced before. Some may view us as young and foolish, however we believe God calls us not to a life of passive contentment but rather courage and boldness.
Finally, I will tell you that we are ready. It has been a long preparation process and because of the provision and blessing of the Lord in combination with the prayer and financial support of you, our friends and family, we are equipped to embark on this journey. Saying goodbye for this extended period of time is tough, but I consider us blessed beyond imagination to have so many people to miss. Our next blog will be posted from our official launch in Atlanta, and I cannot wait for all of you to travel along side of us! Please know that we will be praying for you diligently and hope to be godly representatives to the world on your behalf.
