aloha.
goodbyes are hard, but there is a time when we all must say goodbye. atleast for a time. anyways, that’s how it is for me right now. and it’s hard. there’s nothing fun about goodbyes. they seem so final. it’s as if i’m going to space and there’s no hope of coming back. it’s when i say goodbye that i’m reminded of how finite my life is, and how little i’m in control of it. goodbyes make me keenly aware of the fact that this could be the last time i see you.
so instead i’m choosing to say aloha.
a funny word that carries so much promise. it means hello as much as it means goodbye. in a sense it carries an infinite circle of hellos and goodbyes for each person. it is a promise. that i say hello, and then we must part for a time and i must say goodbye, but even as i leave there is a promise that i have already begun to say hello for the next time we will meet.
in this season of life where i’m saying goodbye to so many people, friends, family and all in between, there is promise that i will see you again to say hello. i have met you and now i carry you in my heart. whether or not we are close, whether or not you’ll even remember my name or i will remember yours, our stories have crossed paths and i pray we meet again.
my promise isn’t necessarily for this life (though I pray to make it home to friends and family because I miss you so much already!) there is promise that I can and will see you all again after this life is over. There is also so much promise that I will see my new friends around the world again someday too. Our sweet Savior Jesus has given us the most precious gift of salvation in order that we can fulfill this promise. the best part of that promise is- there are no more goodbyes. forever is an awful long time.
so i say to you all, aloha.
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Found this unposted blog I had originally written to post as I left for the race. It’s speaking to me now as I leave friends and new “family” in Thailand. Goodbyes are hard, no matter if you’ve known each other for one month or a lifetime.
We’re in Cambodia, and this month is going to be incredible as my team and I learn to listen to The Lord through Unsung Hero Ministry- finding new contacts and paving new paths for future racers. Pray for us this month that God would open doors for us to see and partner with what He’s already doing here! We’re starting in Siem Reap, traveling to Battambang, down to Kep for a few days rest and finishing in Phnom Penh.
A final blog about Thailand coming in the next few days as well as pictures & videos! XOXO
