The last week or so has been strange. It was filled with goodbyes at houses, in pools, on the beach, at coffee shops, and other places. But when I was saying goodbye to my family and friends, it felt like I was still going to see them the next day, which was weird. One of my friends was crying the few days leading up to me leaving, and I felt bad because I didn’t cry at all. It just hasn’t settled in. I almost feel like a sociopath or something. I’m in Atlanta, I have my whole life in two backpacks, I’m staying in a hotel that is a five minute drive away from the airport I’ll be leaving the country at, and it still hasn’t hit me. I’m so excited for these next nine months with these beautiful people, but I can’t wrap my head around the fact that none of my family or close friends will be there. Even though I don’t know it, the Lord knows the vastness of this chapter of my life. He knows all the pivotal moments that will take place, all the bonding moments between friends, all the lives that will be changed through ministry, and all the stories I’ll be able to tell when I get home. I’m not sure when I’ll fully understand what I’m doing, and when I’ll realize how long nine months actually is, but I’m ready for it. I’m ready for it because I can rest in the fact that the Lord has beautifully orchestrated (now you get the title) so many things in my life to lead me to this. Throughout high school I’ve had intimate relationships and friendships dwindle away, I’ve had sickness in the family, I’ve had tragedies happen, and I’ve made poor decisions. But if it weren’t for those things happening, and people being placed in my life because of those things, I wouldn’t have been shaped and matured into the person I am today, and I definitely wouldn’t be in this hotel right now. So much change has taken place in my life and in my relationship with the Lord over these past few years, and I’m so excited to go deeper with God and go serve His people on three different continents in just three days.
P.S. I love you all and I’m SO grateful for the people who have given me the support emotionally and financially to get me here. A special shoutout goes to mom, dad, grandma, aunt Nancy, Andrew, Jared, and Cole for helping me through this process, I love you guys, and I’ll see you soon.
