Wow it’s been about 6 months since I have left to travel across the world. This is the longest I have ever been away from you. I still remember your reaction when I told you I was thinking about going on the World Race. I am pretty sure the words that came out of Dad’s mouth after I shared when I got back from leading student camp, was “absolutely not.” A week later, I came back over for dinner at your house. (s/o to home cooked meals!) After we finished dinner, Dad asked if he could see a video of the World Race. When you both finished watching the video, I looked over at you and both of you guys had tears in their eyes. You knew in that moment that this was something the Lord was calling me to do. Even though I can’t imagine how difficult it was for you to release your only daughter to go across the world. (I probably won’t until I have kids of my own.) I remember telling Dad “this is your fault, you’ve raised me doing missions!”
Since then, you guys have been so supportive! Whether it has been taking my dog for a year, coming to my fundraisers (or even staring one for me!), always answering when I just need to FaceTime, and even supporting me financially this year. I know we have had our rough patches throughout the years, but you guys will never understand how much you mean to me. I am so beyond thankful to have parents who love the Lord and leverage their lives to share the gospel. The person I am, can all be accredited to the way that you raised me.
Mom and Dad, I wish I could put into words everything I am experiencing this year. I wish you both were here with me. I wish you could see the leaps and bounds of growth I am having in my relationship with the Lord. I wish you could see the boldness and confidence I have in stepping out in my gifting’s. Mostly because I have finally realized what it means to have your identity rooted in Christ. I wish you could see that the Lord is asking me to dream BIG with Him and my willingness to go wherever He call’s me. I wish you could see the lives that have touched me in a way that I could have ever imagined. I wish you could see my heart break for the world.
Everything that I am learning this year is just a stepping stone for the rest of my life. There are so many things that I am taking away from this trip that I cannot wait to bring home. (or wherever Poppa leads me next.)
So thank you.
Thank you for the sacrifices you have made for me to come on this trip. Thank you for the sacrifices you are making to come on PVT. Thank you for supporting all of my decisions especially financially. Thank you for trusting the Lord enough to let me go for a year. Thank you for having a huge part in me wanting to come on this trip. Thank you for raising me in missions. Thank you for always encouraging me to seek out my own relationship with the Lord. Thank you for the unconditional love you have for me. Thank you for always being a call or text away. Thank you especially to mom for the millions of calls and meetings you’ve done while I have been gone to figure out my bills. Thank you for always being a piece of home I carry with me. Thank you for watching my dog (I know she is a handful) & holding all my junk in your basement while I am gone. I couldn’t have done this without you. Most of all thank you for being the best parents, I am truly blessed.
Can’t wait to see you in 2 months, xoxo
– Your Shooby Doo
