I’ve been avoiding this blog post for a long time. 2015 is coming to a close, and wow, what a ride it has been. I remember where I was this time last year. Up until December of 2014, I was hell bent on becoming a teacher. I was finishing up my second to last semester of college, preparing for graduation, and getting ready to apply for grad schools, when BAM! God slaps me upside the head.
Jordyn, that’s your plan, not my plan.
I did not know it at the time, but those words would radically change the course of my life forever.
This year has been one of the craziest, coolest, most painful growing experiences I have ever gone through with the Lord. I have learned to trust Him, trust others, and also trust myself. I have learned who I am and just how big God is. I have seen Him provide while watching Him change hearts, change minds, and work miracles.
2015 has been a ride.
But this season of growth is coming to an end. It is now time to act.
I have been procrastinating on writing this blog post, because I know it marks the end of an era. I am saying goodbye to the United States in just one month. I am saying goodbye to my friends, my family, and my home for 11 months in pursuit of something that is much bigger than that. I am following God in an act of radical obedience in order to bring his kingdom to the aching and hurting parts of the world. I am stepping out of my comfort zone and into the extraordinary.
It’s time to say goodbye.
Goodbye Mom and Dad. I love you so much and I love everything you have taught me and all the sacrifices you have made and the prayers you have prayed. They have made me the woman I am today.
Goodbye Ella and Dreux (my siblings). I love you, and my heart aches with the thought of leaving you. You make every day of my life more beautiful.
Goodbye Nana, Granddad, Grandma, and Grandpa. I cannot imagine life without you. You have supported me through the darkest times of my life, and rejoiced with my in the happiest times. You held me when there was no hope. You spoke life into me and encouraged me to follow my dreams.
Goodbye Family. You prayed for me. You supported me. You made me laugh, you made family dinners interesting. You taught me to be the awesome weirdo that I am.
Goodbye ELEVATE(my youth church). You never gave up on me even when I was far from God. You gave me friendship, mentorship, and purpose. You planted seeds and helped me to grow into a woman that would lay it all down for Jesus. Thank you for challenging me, growing me, and showing me what missions can do.
Goodbye Tucson. You have been my home for the past decade. My happiest moments and my darkest moments have all happened within your borders. You are the most beautiful place in the world, you have the best food, and also, you are flipping hot.
Goodbye United States. You are the greatest country in the world. I have been able to live safely and comfortably here for my entire life. I am blessed to live in a country that honors freedom and allows me to worship my Jesus whenever I please.
Goodbye.
I am tearing up as I write this blog. This transition hurts. But that is part of what God does. He calls us out of what is comfortable. He asks us to follow Him, and right now, He is saying GO.
It is my job to say Yes.
