WOW! God is SO good!! What an amazing week full of love, good friends, surprises and support! I am so filled to the brim with gratitude that it takes the edge off of leaving kitty, seeing people for the last time in a while and the ending of so many good things. The generosity is overwhelming, so incredibly overwhelming. I am at a loss for words! I received items from my registry, financial support and donations through t-shirt and jewelry sales. It’s all so much!
This weekend I brought my cat to stay with a family member and had to say goodbye. I had birthday celebrations with some of the most amazing people I know. There was even a surprise going away party for me! I could tell there was a lot of thought and planning that went into it. The food! The Decorations! The love! Food was made to represent the different regions I will be visiting. Decorations displayed the world Race mission statement, my travel route, each country’s flag and scriptures about being strong and courageous. So much love poured out in different ways. I am happy that He’s already begun a good work in me so that I could receive. Funny thing about being closed up in an attempt to avoid pain is that you also don’t feel love. It was like a hug for my soul and I couldn’t stop smiling!
Work has ended as well. I found myself going between rejection and joy. I felt joy for all the love and wonderful relationships that have been created. The kind words spoken by clients and co-workers left me smiling silly at cards or while opening gifts. I felt the joy of a hug (if you know me, that’s a big deal!), the joy of reflecting on progress and the changes we’ve all made over the months and years. I also found rejection manifesting, telling myself that friends or coworkers don’t mean as much to me as they really do. Excuses come to me: “we weren’t that close” or “we lost contact”. They go on… and come quickly to me like the cracking of a whip. I only pray that the thing to rush in and replace those thoughts is love and not further rejection or distance. How soothing and softening it is to have love rush into the painful places that strike our hearts? Reminders of why I love and appreciate them, why it’s painful and what I am going to miss about them are my chosen thoughts about the situation. Stay focused on the positive, I remind myself. Remember your true enemy.
It’s easier to leave a place when you don’t have ties to it I suppose. I have to wonder though- why can’t both be good? The place I’m leaving and the place I’m going. God wants to exceed my expectations, right? They why wouldn’t that be the case? All in all I have chosen the latter. I have chosen to experience the joy, and the sadness of parting; A thing wonderful coming to an end. I refuse to allow the pain I experience to leave me bitter and instead wildly appreciative for showing me that I DO care so deeply and that I WILL miss this place and these people.
Thank you so much to everyone who has shown me love and support over the last few weeks! I cannot say how much it means to me, and know that my heart overflows. The journey has not yet begun and already God is working. He is always working. I look forward to this adventure and so happy that you’re all able to join with me through your partnership and through this blog. If you’re not already, please subscribe and share! This will be my primary means of remaining in contact while I’m away. Thank you again for the love and support! As one good thing comes to an end let us be reminded that it is love that wants to fill those empty spaces.
In Peace,
Danielle
