This is my last Christmas in the US for a couple of years, and I’m not going to lie, I cried several times throughout the day. I wanted everything to be perfect and just like they always were growing up. Next year I’ll be celebrating Christmas with my World Race fam in Southeast Asia and while I’m so excited, I’m also kind of sad. Today at my grandparent’s house I kept saying things like, “next year this…and next year that…” My grandma would just turn to look at me and say, “You won’t be here next year.” I’ll be missing lots of things next year, Thanksgiving; my parents’, brother’s, and my birthday; Easter; and Christmas; I’ll be missing every Sunday and Wednesday with my middle school students at church, and I’ll even be missing my best friend’s wedding. It’s kind of sad to me when I really think about it, because I love creating memories.
I just like the norm. I like my repetitive lifestyle. I like that every Thanksgiving is spent at my house, I like that every Christmas morning my family always sits around together and read the Nativity story. I do not like change. One thing I’ve been praying for is patience and acceptance. I will be making so many changes in my life over these next several months leading up to my departure and so many more while I’m traveling. That’s something I’m still working on accepting. God has changed my heart in so many ways the last few years, and I can’t even begin to imagine all that He has planned for me in these next few years.
Like I said, this time next year I’ll be in Southeast Asia with my team, I’ll be making so many new memories, but I’ll hold onto all of the laughter and memories that I’ve made this Christmas.
After all, Christmas is about sharing the love of Christ, and that should be done everywhere we go, every single day. It shouldn’t just be confined to December 25th, but should be celebrated every day. Although showing the love and sacrifice of Jesus is what everything is all about.
To everyone who has donated towards my trip: Thank You!! You’re changing the world and shining the light of Jesus. You’re making a difference, and I can’t thank you enough for your support!
I’m at about $3,000 raised, but I still need about another $16,000 for my trip. Would you consider giving up a coffee ($5) lunch ($10) or dinner ($15) for a day, or even once a month?
If you want to donate towards my trip you can write out a check to Adventures in Missions with my name in the memo line, or click the orange DONATE button at the top right of the screen.
