The other night I went to my cousin’s house to have dinner and as I was getting ready to leave, she said something to the effect of “what do you even say to someone leaving for so long?”. I jokingly replied with the common responses “have a safe trip”, “have fun”, “keep in touch” etc. As I drove home the validity of the question started to sink in. Except I wasn’t thinking about what people could tell me, I was thinking about what I can tell people.
It may come as a surprise to some of you, and to some of you it will not, but I don’t fare very well with saying goodbye nor am I an outwardly emotional person. Add to the mix that every time I have moved (previously) there has been something or someone I was excited to be away from – I was always looking for a fresh and new start.
Most days, it doesn’t register in my brain that I will be gone for 11 months. Most days I feel like I’m just going on a little trip. I know that I will come home safe and sound in December 2011. I know that not being able to see people and physically be there is going to be hard at time but I also know that the journey I am setting out on is going to be so amazing. Not only am I excited and wanting to go on this trip, I also know that this is the next step in my life. If I was not meant to go on this trip, I would not have been able to raise the money I needed; but I did and the money is still coming in. I believe that God is faithful, that He will continue to provide, and that this is His will for my life. I also believe that the safest place to be is in God’s will.
All of that to say that this trip seems very natural to me, just like taking a weekend trip to the farm or a vacation to Woodhaven. Soooo, when we are parting ways for the time being if I seem to be struggling to find words to say that just might be why. Please know that I will do my best to keep in touch, that I will miss you, and I acknowledge that there are going to be ridiculously hard days (I’m sure there will even be one or two that make me question why I went on the trip). But this is just the next chapter in my life and I long to embrace this journey!
