More to come on this subject…
Departing Green Bay (October 5)
I had lived at home with my parents during the month of September, and the Lord blessed my time there. In addition to preparing for the rummage sale, I spent my days hanging out with my dad, going to Planet Fitness, stopping to pick up sweet corn for dinner, and eating brunch at the Pancake Place. Also hosted Mr. Kal Overlien, my dad's longtime friend, for lunch a few times a week. 🙂 What I loved most about this schedule was the people I shared it with. Cheesy, I know, but so true!
Also spent quality time with my mom, who is a role model of selflessness and generosity. She puts my needs before her own and sacrificed a lot of time to help me prepare for the Race. She even cooked a Thanksgiving dinner the night before I left!
Needless to say, I was sad to leave. I am going to miss my parents and family a lot!
First leg of the journey to LAX (October 5)
Fighting back tears in the airport (you'll never know if I'm kidding or not…), I boarded the plane from Green Bay to Minneapolis. I met Liz (or Gammy as I'll remember her), who shared a sweet story about her grandson that was adopted from Thailand. Leaving out all of the details, it's evident that her grandson's journey from Thailand to Wisconsin could only have been possible with the Lord. How blessed I am to have met Liz!
Arriving in LA (October 5)
The Plattes (friends from college) picked me up from the airport and took me out for ice cream near the UCLA campus. I was pumped to see them, and it's been a huge blessing to start my journey with two people who are great friends and love the Lord. I'm encouraged to see God's provision for them as they're beginning a new life stage in an unfamiliar place.
Santa Monica Blvd (October 6)
Mrs. Sarah Platte and I spent the morning at a coffee shop downtown Santa Monica before she went to work. I already love this area. It's beautiful, and there are people from all walks of life. We met Angelo and Elizabeth in the coffee shop. Angelo is walking around the periphery of the United States. He started in San Diego and is now heading north to Seattle. Angelo, if you're reading this, know that I'm praying for your faith journey. Elizabeth is from Australia, visiting her brother who lives in Santa Monica. She is one incredible woman who loves God and loves people. Food for thought from Elizabeth:
"I'd rather have the people I love be halfway around the world and know they're happy than live right down the street knowing they're unhappy."
Wow. What a sweet journey it has been. Look at how many people the Lord has already used to bless me! God is good.
Until Guatemala,
Kelly
Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
praise him in the heights!
Praise him, all his angels;
praise him, all his hosts.
Psalm 148:1-2
