Well, today’s the day! As I’m writing this, my parents and I are loaded in our car, a little under 3 hours away from the AIM base. I’m feeling so many things right now – stress, anticipation, sadness, anxiety, but mainly excitement. I’ve been waiting for this day since I signed up to go on the race last July. Over a year of planning, growing, fundraising, and painstakingly counting down the days. And it’s finally here.
Yes, things are looking a bit different than when I originally signed up. But that has changed nothing for me. This past year, not once have I questioned whether or not this is what God has planned for me. I heard Him clearly when He told me to sign up, and I haven’t stopped hearing it since.
So here I am. My bag is packed with everything I’ll be using for the next four months (and then the five months after that ). I just took the last hot shower I’ll be getting for a while, and slept in the last real bed. I’ve said my goodbyes, some way harder than others. There’s nothing left to do but wait and see what the future holds.
Saying goodbye over these past few weeks, the question I’ve gotten the most is what I’m most excited for. And up until now, I didn’t have a good answer. But as I was packing, then repacking, and repacking again, I’ve realized how excited I am for the simplicity of life that is to come. Being pushed out of my comfort zone, broken down and rebuilt stronger than ever before. We make life so complicated sometimes, and I can’t wait to surrender that. While I was packing, it was honestly a relief to leave behind my makeup, my straightener, my skin care routine that I thought was a necessity. To leave back nearly all of my clothes and laugh at why I thought I needed so many shirts (so no judging when I’m wearing the same three in every picture). Although I am still shocked by how heavy my backpack is when it feels like I left everything at home.
Another thing I wanted to touch on is fundraising. As of last week, I am officially fully funded!!! This has been an incredible journey and such a testament of letting go and giving God control. I am so blessed to have such amazing people in my life who have loved and supported me throughout all of this. You all have such generous hearts, and I hope to pay that generosity forward in the future.
That being said, in the coming weeks I will post a blog about my amazing teammates. These are the girls I will be growing the closest to over the next nine months, with whom I will share many tears, laughs, smiles, and struggles. A few of my teammates (and some of my squadmates) still aren’t fully funded, and I would hate for any of them to get sent home early because of it. So if any of you still feel called to donate, I will list their blogs then where you can support them, financially or prayerfully.
I will have limited access to my phone over the next few months, so keep an eye out for more blogs for updates on what life is looking like for me! I greatly appreciate any prayers as I make this transition, and feel free to leave a comment or shoot me an email ([email protected]) with any questions!
With love,
Brooklyn
