My family and I drove up to Washington D.C. for Launch that starts tomorrow. It was a 12 hour adventure and I found myself teary eyed during at least 75% of it. It's totally understandable to be emotional right now, but as I sat there laughing with my family, I was reminded that we will never have this time back again.
Adam and I have grown up. I am heading out to the nations and only God knows what my future holds after this. Adam is in the Army Reserves right now will soon be an Officer in the Army and will be all over the world probably for the rest of his life. This is it. And I sat there in the backseat of my Daddy's truck, I was so overwhelmed with how much I love my family. I started wishing I had soaked up every moment I've had with them, especially in these most recent college years. I wish I had memorized those moments of just insane laughter because we all get each other on the deepest level you can know someone.
Daddy: We are probably as opposite as they come, but I am so thankful to have you as my Daddy. I am so thankful for you sacrifice to provide for our family throughout my entire life. Thank you for making my safety and provision your top priority. As I head out on the World Race, I know you are scared to let me out of your reach, but our Heavenly Father will have His arms around me the entire time. And He loves me even more than you do! Thank you for loving me enough to let me go. Thank you for letting me chase after my dreams and thank you for your obedience to Christ to let me go. I will miss you and your hugs that say so much more than words every could! I love you, always and forever! There is a Taylor Swift lyric that she wrote about her parents that always reminds me of you, "I love you for giving me your eyes, for staying back and watching me shine. I didn't know if you knew, so I'm taking this chance to say, I had the best day with you today"
Mommy: I hope I grow up to be half the woman and mom that you are. Thank you for being my best friend throughout my entire life. I don't know who I would be if I had not had you to vent to and give me advice or just your sweet hugs all the time. You are truly just the most amazing servant and I am so thankful for all the behind the scenes things you love to do for us. Thank you for giving your life to raise Adam and I and thank you for letting me go on the World Race. I know this is the toughest thing we have gone through, but I know that our amazing God will provide in the most beautiful ways. I am His, most importantly, and He loves me more than we can understand. You are the best mom a girl could ask for and i appreciate you more than you'll ever know. I will miss you every single day. I love you, always and forever!
Brother: What a relationship we have had! I am so thankful God brought you to Shorter so He could wake us up to how silly we were for not liking each other. You are truly such an amazing guy. You are absolutely hilarious and I appreciate how much you truly care for everyone in your life. You try to pass yourself off as some tough Army guy, but you are so much deeper than that. I thank you for that and I thank you for your support and love and laughter over the years. I have loved watching you turn into a man and see how passionate you are about serving our country. You are my hero. I will miss you so much! I love you, always and forever.
Lord, I pray for my family as I step into the World Race. I don't know what it's like to be a parent, but I can only imagine how hard it is to let your child step out in faith for almost an entire year. I thank you for their willingness to obey and their incredible encouragement and support throughout this whole process. Lord, I pray that you protect them during this year and that You show them Your love in ways they have never experienced before. Thank you for blessing me with a family that shows me a glimpse of Your perfect love for us. I pray for peace that passes all understanding that can only come from You. I pray that even as we change into a new chapter in our family, that You will still allow us to be close, no matter where time or distance takes us. Thank you for loving us more than we can understand and I pray that you encourage and love on them through this journey. I praise you for all you've blessed us with!
"And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.
“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."
Luke 12: 29-32
