11 months of being away from family and friends has nearly come and gone. As I prepare to go home I’m grateful that this year has given me the reset I was hoping for. I’ve been fortunate to spend a tremendous amount of time with the Lord and grow drastically deeper in relationship with Him. Not only have I spent time with Him but I’ve also been removed from the world and its influence. This is exactly what I had been curious about and craving prior to the start of this trip. Not only so I could learn to love Him even more but also so I could reprioritize how I love others more too. After all, “we love because He first loved us” 1 John 4:19. To my friends and family, thank you for forgiving me during times when I could have been there for you more. To the “Fatty Club”, “DHB”, and all of my UWEC and Chicago community please know I keep you all in my prayers and am so looking forward to loving you on a whole new level throughout our lives. To “O Squad” thank you for showing me strong examples of sacrificial and selfless love. Our journey and growth this past year is only the beginning and I’m so excited to see what God all has in store. May we continue to deny ourselves and live as the ambassadors we’ve been ordained to be. To all the hosts and friends we have made along the way, thank you for your hospitality and sacrificial service. To everyone who has supported me prayerfully, financially, and emotionally THANK YOU doesn’t do justice for how I wish I could express my gratitude.
After prayerful consideration, my friend Eva and I have decided to leave our Squad two weeks earlier than our other 35 squadmates. We’ve trusted in God’s timing for this as she is starting a new teaching position back in Seattle and I am heading home for my cousin Michelle’s wedding. It’s a very important weekend for our family after going through some trying trials the past few years. Michelle and her fiancé Randy are both incredibly strong people and so supportive of one another; I wouldn’t miss their weekend for the world. Gratefully Eva and I are both flying out the same night because God is just that sweet to us. I’m anticipating an emotional weekend ahead but will continue to lean into the Lord now and for a lifetime to come. As I’ve started to say goodbyes and reflect on our entire experience, I’m confident that this journey, and everything I’ve learned, is not just for me but for so many others too. Thank you for showing interest in our stories and all that God is doing in and around the world. He is so much bigger than I’ve ever realized before. For that I am grateful as I look back and sum this experience up with the phrase that “God woke me up.” He truly taught me to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” Mark? ?12:30?. He leads me through this with so much mercy and grace that I can’t wait to extend that to everyone else throughout life as well. See you in less than 12 hours US of A. God bless!
