Eleven months has flown by. I find myself just now realizing that it’s April 27th. I have been out of the United States for 11 months. Wow! The race is drawing to an end and with that comes all of the emotions and reflections that you face at the close of one period of your life. I wish I had something profound to say to encapsulate all that has happened, but there is no way to wrap up a whole year in a few words. So instead I will say a few words to those I will leave behind and to those I am will see soon.
To my friends and family: I am soooo excited and happy to see you again. I miss you all more than you know and I can’t wait to share my year with you. I also can’t wait to see how you all have changed. I ask for a little bit of grace because we have had different experiences, and it’s going to take patience and gentleness to mold them together. Know that I may be a little tired, a little different, a little too excited for my own good, and maybe a little bit of other things that I don’t know how to prepare you for. But these are all good things because God has worked in me radically. I know you have changed as well, and I can’t wait to see the growth in your lives. I love you all so much, and soon I will be back among you, ready to to continue the Lord’s work, and to be a part of your lives again with all the changes we have all experienced to flavor our relationships.
To the ones I am leaving: You have changed me. You have taught me how to laugh, how to work, how to have patience, and how to enjoy myself. You have let me cry, you gave me courage to lead, you gave me hugs and encouragement, you tested the limits of my grace, you have gotten mad at me, you have shown me how to work through problems, and you have inspired me to go beyond what I think I’m capable of. Love for the Lord radiates from every one of you. Your compassion for the poor, helpless, hopeless and downhearted makes me see how good the Lord is. You have taught me to love more deeply. I will have a heavy heart as we go our separate ways because I love you all and will miss you so much. But more importantly, I will leave with a joy overflowing from having been a part of you, and from knowing there are people like you who love the Lord, and want to change the world for His glory.
Last but most importantly, I want to thank the Lord, my God. You are my creator and the love of my life. Thank you for this gift. Ending is only bearable because I know You are always with me. I know that if I have nothing else ever again in this life, I have you. That is more than enough.
