Well, I am leaving for the Greyhound bus to go to Atlanta in like a half hour, and then we're leaving for Guatemala a couple days after that! I can’t believe it! Here we go! Still hasn't hit me that I'll be gone for 11 months, but I think it will once I get to Guatemala. I’ve felt a lot of different emotions lately- excitement, sadness, peace, as well as feeling scared and overwhelmed. But I do feel ready, maybe not super ready, but ready nonetheless. 
I got to go to a lake beach resort for a few days with my family and my brother’s girlfriend, so it was good to be able to spend time with them before leaving. I also got to have a Goodbye/Sending-off party with my St. Cloud friends which was very encouraging. I also packed everything up. It took a long time to pack.
*A picture of the clothes that I've pack for 11 months. It is laughable to me now, but "…life is more than food, and the body more than clothing." -Luke 12:23
This week was the first time that I felt like I really didn’t want to leave and questioned if it was worth it. I realize that I have a wonderful life here. I have a stable, loving family and home as well as a great second home in St. Cloud with wonderful friends. I have so many comforts and conveniences here like a house, car, washer/dryer, shower, bed, safety, air conditioning, can eat whatever I want, have access to good health care, have access to job opportunities, have privacy, have space, etc. But to be closer to God and to share Him with others is so worth it. I thought of two passages in the Bible:
*The first passage was written by a follower of Christ named Paul, and he wrote that he didn't count anything else in the entire world that he had as a gain except for knowing Jesus Christ. Paul says he suffered, but it's for someone who was worth it. That's how much worth Christ has.
1. “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.” -Philippians 3:7-8
*And also in the Scripture below, Paul says that if Christ was not raised from the dead, then we (Christ followers) of all people are most to be pitied because we’ve given our lives to something fake. But then Paul says “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead”
2. “And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.
But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:14-23
I'm really excited to be a full-time missionary on this mission trip. What is my "mission" you ask? My mission is to share Jesus with as many people as I can and offer the salvation, hope, and healing that only comes through Him in a humble, serving, and urgent way. This is my vision for my mission this year:
"She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy."
"She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come".
"She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue." -Proverbs 31:20, 25-26
I decided to get my hair cut today for the race- got 5 1/2 inches off! Also, random, but I got this weird sore throat 2 days ago. Please pray for my mom and family as my mom isn't doing well with me leaving.
I have no idea what the next 11 months hold. But I'm am so excited for the race to begin and I'm putting my trust in God. Hasta 11 meses! (See you in 11 months!) 
