Dear Dad,
It’s happening! I’m at Launch right now in Atlanta. I can’t believe that I’ll be leaving the country in just a couple of days to travel the world and share the Good News. The Lord has blessed me immeasurably by giving me this opportunity to go on the Race. I’m scared. But I’m feeling better by being surrounded by my squad and my team.
Oh goodness. I was remembering how back in November it seemed like such a long ways away. And now it’s here. It’s the beginning. It’s going to be awesome to see where God is going to take me. I’m excited to be walking this path alongside Him.
Mom and Aunt Cindy are here with me. And I’m so thankful. I know it’s good for them as well. I’m sure they’re learning so much about what I’ll be going through over the next year and how to support me. But also how they will be able to do well at home. They are both such sweet blessings in my life. And I’m going to miss them dearly. But I know that the Lord is taking them on their own Race when they get back home. They’re going to be grown and stretched. And I’m excited to be able to watch.
Launch has been good so far. Really, it’s just been a lot of reconnecting with my squad–lots of conversations about what this past month has looked like for each of us. And it’s been good, and encouraging.
Even with all this going on. I still have my moments of being scared. I still have my moments of being sad that I’m leaving for a year. I still have my moments of freaking out.
But then as I’m having those moments, the Spirit calms me. He reminds me that He’s with me–walking right beside me. He’s leading me by my right hand. He’s got me. And that fills me with great joy–because my Savior, my God is taking me on this wonderful adventure. What grace!
I really wish you were here. I could use one of your hugs before I leave the country. But I know that’s not possible right now. Everyone tells me that you would be so proud of what I’m about to do. (I also know that you would be terrified right now as well. You would be scared to let me go so far. But you totally would let me go. You would give me into God’s hands and continue to trust me to Him.) And it gives me courage boldness to keep going–knowing that I’m making my parents proud and look to Christ and give Him glory for what’s going on in my life.
I love you. I miss you.
And I’m about to go on this huge adventure. It’s kinda crazy. But it’s totally exciting.
