My take on launch.
One word?
Overwhelming.
Another word?
Exhausting.
Yeah.
Is that bad? Does that mean I'm weak?
If so, I KNOW HE IS STRONG and that's my fountain — waiting to be gulped up!
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Isaiah 40:31
But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Putting it all out there…
I dealt with a lot before my flight to D.C. (my launch take off spot). January 2nd to January 8th was extremely intense… Physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Here's a bullet recap…
- I caught the flu/strep throat. It gave me a serious beating and stole 4 full days of preparation time from me and forced me to pull 2 all nighters at the last minute to get everything done that needed to be done before leaving home for a year, and traveling around the world with minimum belongings. Packing and preparing was stressful. I wanted to make a video, take pictures, and write a blog about it all, but it just didn't happen. I'm still struggling with this internally, but I'm pressing on and trying to learn what I can from the situation.
- I dropped my iphone on my face while in bed one morning and gave myself a pretty lil' black eye — You'll see it in pictures! Today is January 17th and I still have it!
- Goodbyes were hard. A lot harder than I thought. I felt a season changing. It's truly exciting, but absolutely scary at the same time. A year is a year, but a year of MANY unknowns, personal challenges, foreign environments, new people, new cultures, lots of going and doing, little privacy, and few phone calls with loved ones took this goodbye to a whole new level.
- I missed my flight to D.C. by 2 minutes January 8th. I was able to hop on the next flight 2 hours later at no additional cost, but whoa, I'm sitting here thinking about everything leading up to where I am right now (Quito, Ecuador serving with an amazing team of Jesus loving individuals woot woot) and I can't believe I made it. Whewwwwww! Thank you Jesus! Thank you Mom and Dad! Thank you Barrett! Thank you prayer warriors and financial supporters! I know I am loved and I give BIG BIG BIG thanks! My eyes are tearing up due to strong emotions at the moment, but I'm a crier so that's no new news.
So, after finally making it to D.C. around 6pm Tuesday, January 8th and catching up with my beloved N Squad (the people I travel and serve with this year — 61 of us) who I met and bonded with in Georgia at Training Camp, and had not seen since October — I SLEPT! I slept, however, in a hotel room with 3 total strangers!!!
*Laughing*
Somehow I got put in a room full of M squad people (fellow World Racers, but people going on a completely different route than mine) at the hotel. I quickly adjusted, though ; ) I mean, you have to when you're about to share a bed together, right?!? Welcome to the World Race, Cassy!
I enjoyed a few days of briefing, bonding, and seminars, and then hopped on a jet to Ecuador Friday, January 11th at 3pm. We arrived in Ecuador at 11pm and then waited in customs for 1.5 hours. After that…
Well, you'll have to read my next blog!
Until then mi familia y amigos.
~Cassy
