In TWO DAYS we are launching! This Friday, August 3rd, I’m flying to Atlanta, GA to meet up with the Expedition team for a few more days of training. From Atlanta, we will officially begin our journey overseas in Spain!
As these final Michigan days close, my heart is full. The many goodbyes over the last weeks have invoked such a sadness, but also a grounding celebration. In the last months, WR has created such an opportunity for reunion, deeper relationship, intentionality and a reflection of how much love infuses my life. As this season winds down, there have been many goodbyes. So many goodbyes. As I say goodbye to my grandparents, family, friends, the lake for this extended time, my heart knows in a clearer way the depth of all I leave. With each hug and goodbye, I am further humbled by the reality of God’s fingerprints over it all.
As I think about flying out on Friday morning, I feel a peace I can’t explain. I feel thankful. For my life and Christ’s sovereignty in it. For my family and roots. And especially for a Father who desires to take His children on journey after journey to deeper love for the purpose of furthering His Kingdom.
So many people have asked me…“Are you ready?!” And I can say, the answer is YES! There has been a flurry of emotions (all the emotion) in the last weeks. Uprooting from all you’ve known really requires you to lay down some things, I’m learning. But, amidst the waves of sadness and occasional bouts of fear, God has given my heart a quiet and peace. More than ever, I sense the huge privilege of this opportunity and the love and prayers that surround me.
In the last weeks, God has been laying Psalm 139 on my heart. These words continue to be a claiming ground of God‘s victory and truth in my heart:
‘O LORD, you have searched me and known me!
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.
You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high; I cannot attain it.
Where shall I go from your Spirit?
Or where shall I flee from your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me.
If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,
and the light about me be night,”
even the darkness is not dark to you;
the night is bright as the day,
for darkness is as light with you.
For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.
How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
I awake, and I am still with you’
Psalm 139: 1-18
As our team meets and begins our time overseas, please keep us and our families in your prayers. Pray big prayers! Also be in prayer as I fundraise the final 13% ($2,501) of the trip cost. I cannot wait to continue sharing the adventures from the field: the miracles and challenges, the hilarious and incredible stories. Most of all, I cannot wait to share how the Spirit keeps showing up and changing so much. I appreciate your prayers more than anything. Let this Kingdom adventure continue, and for you too!
