Five months ago, in April, I can still remember the day I was sitting at home in front of my computer with a little “Submit” button being the only thing between me and sending in my application for what at the time was very intimidating; The World Race Gap Year. And now, here I am sitting on a plane on my way to Atlanta, Georgia for some last minute training before I fly out for San Salvador, El Salvador on Wednesday, September 9. Let me just make one thing clear here, it is still very intimidating but hey, “when God says go, there is no stopping.” Before I get into the “saying goodbye” portion of this I want to share some very exciting news with all you wonderful people. I’M FULLY FUNDED!!!! I am overjoyed just typing out those words let alone realizing what they mean. If you didn’t do the math already let me help you out; I have raised $12,500 in just five months. I don’t know how that hits you but let me tell you, I still can’t wrap my mind around that. This number was very intimidating and I still remember in April have what I like to call “freak outs” because my account wasn’t moving from the $100 down payment I had to make. I doubted big time that it was going to happen. Now here I sit with $12,500 behind me and all I can say is, God is faithful. He is bigger than any amount of money and if He calls us into something, He will make a way for it to happen; all in His timing. I can’t thank you all enough for the incredible financial support as well as the prayer support. Every dollar helped whether it was through buying a t-shirt, a pie, bracelets or keychains, or sending a check; it all played a part in reaching my goal. Thank you thank you thank you.
Now that we got all of that exciting news covered I want to take some time to update you all on where I am in my journey.
This past week has been a very emotional one. It’s been full of goodbyes and lasts, all which led to a mix of emotions. As the goodbyes started out I was having a hard time but not in a way I thought I would. I was having a hard time with feeling bad for not crying because I felt like the people I was saying goodbye to thought I wasn’t going to miss them. This really bothered me for a few days until I realized that obviously they know I’m going to miss them but, I wasn’t finding myself emotional because I really didn’t feel like these goodbyes were necessary. I didn’t feel like me leaving for 9 months was a reality, therefore saying goodbye was a weird thing to do. As the days went on and Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday came around, the reality set in. The goodbyes became so real and the tears began to flow. As I spent time with people for what I had to keep reminding myself was the last time for 9 months, I really started looking back over the years and realizing the impact so many people have had on my life. I have been so blessed to have grown up with a youth group that quickly became a second family, teachers that have taken time to make sure I succeeded with my school work, friends that have stuck with me through the good and bad, and a family that loves me unconditionally. I don’t want this to sound like I had/have a perfect life because it’s far from that but saying all of these goodbyes has just reminded me of the incredibly blessed life I do have.
Along with saying goodbye to the people that are closest to me I also said goodbye to everything I’ve known for the past 18 years. Sure, I’ve been away from home for short times on mission’s trips but I have never been gone for this amount of time. As people started going back to school last week it really hit home that I was saying goodbye to one chapter of my life and starting a new one. I never thought I would say this but recently I have really missed my senior year classic routine of ‘wake up, go to school, go to soccer, do homework (well; I might have skipped that one 99% of the time), go to youth group, and repeat’. It was so comfortable. It was all I knew. God did some crazy things in my life over the last year, even while I was within my comfort zone but, He has always challenged me to step out of my comfort zone and when I do it amazes me how He continues to work. So, here’s to cherishing the memories I have from the last 18 years and keeping them with me but also to making more room for Jesus to work in me and allow me to make new memories. Here’s to saying goodbye to my comfort zone and hello to the unknown.
This trip comes with a lot of unknowns but that is where I have to put all my trust in God. I am out of control of a lot of things going into this and at times that is hard but at other times it’s comforting knowing that when I put all my trust in God, He will lead me and never leave my side. I have a few verses I am holding extra close as I go day to day and one of those is Joshua 1:9 which says, “This is my command; be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go”. I am never alone, God is always with me no matter where I go. Finding so much comfort in that.
I have also found a little “comfort of home” as I was surprised with a bag full of “open when” cards from family and friends. I just want to give a huge thank you to those of you that were a part of that and took time to write letters. I can’t tell you how excited I am to read them. I do have to admit, you all are really good at keeping secrets because I had no idea they were coming. Yes, I am finding full comfort in knowing that God has everything under control and I am at home wherever I am with Him but there is also something special about being able to take encouraging words from people back home along with me on this journey. This was such a good surprise; thank you all so much!
So, there you have it. It is still hard and I know there will be days of missing home but I can rest in knowing that God has me where I am for a reason and it’s only for this “short” period of my life. I will be back home soon enough and I am really challenging myself to be present where I am and to not wish my time away just to be home. (That would be a prayer request from me if you are looking for something specific to pray for.) The goodbyes are hard but they are all a part of this journey and they have been teaching me to lean on God for strength and I continue to be reminded that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Thank you all again SO much for the financial support that has helped me reach my goal, couldn’t have done it without each of you! Also, thank you for the prayer support. I have felt the effect of prayer this past week in many different ways and I would like to ask for continued prayer as I go through each day, week, and month of this adventure.
With love,
Julie
